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Philippines, Thailand strengthen bilateral tourism ties

Philippines | National

Philippines, Thailand strengthen bilateral tourism ties

By Trixee Rosel

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has renewed its agreement with Thailand for the strengthening of tourism partnership aimed at increasing visitor arrivals and enhancing economic ties.

The agreement, signed on Jan. 19 by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Thailand’s Minister of Tourism Sorawong Thienthong, renews their 1993 partnership and broadens its scope to include cultural, medical, and dive tourism, with a focus on knowledge-sharing.

Frasco said the renewed partnership would allow the Philippines to draw insights from Thailand’s success in attracting international visitors, particularly in specialized sectors like medical and cultural tourism.

“Thailand’s achievements in cultural heritage and medical tourism offer valuable lessons that can enhance our own tourism offerings,” Frasco said.

The agreement also opens doors for the Philippines to showcase its expertise in hospitality, healthcare, and world-renowned dive tourism, particularly its rich marine biodiversity.

As the Philippines seeks to solidify its position as a premier tourism hub, especially for English-speaking visitors, the partnership with Thailand is expected to offer a broader range of travel options for international tourists.

Thienthong expressed optimism for the partnership, highlighting the potential for technological collaboration and the exchange of best practices.

“We are eager to work closely with the Philippines to advance our shared tourism goals,” Thienthong said.

Running from 2025 to 2030, the program will focus on joint promotional campaigns, human resource development, and continued exchange of expertise.

A Joint Working Group (JWG) will oversee the initiative, ensuring both countries align their tourism strategies for mutual growth.

Related Tags

Department of Tourism Thailand

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