MAXIMIZING her official visit to Manama, Bahrain, for the United Nations (UN) Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco held discussions with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili on Monday, November 18.
The meeting centered on advancing the proposal to establish an International Tourism Academy in Cebu, a project first announced by Secretary-General Pololikashvili during the Philippines’ hosting of the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific earlier this year.
Secretary Frasco reaffirmed the DOT’s seriousness in realizing its partnership with UN Tourism, emphasizing the ongoing coordination between DOT and UN Tourism teams to firm up details of the project.
The Secretary likewise conveyed the strong desire on the side of the Philippines to ensure the sustainability and inclusivity of the planned academy and its offerings, in that it adopts digitalization, and is able to offer advance tourism coursed that would elevated the quality of tourism workforce, as well as to provide scholarships to serve underprivileged students. Additionally, she proposed the inclusion of scholarships for underprivileged students, positioning the academy as a platform to empower future tourism leaders and extend opportunities to underserved communities.
As a gesture of gratitude for his partnership and support to Philippine tourism, Secretary Frasco presented Secretary-General Pololikashvili with a Pusô plaque, symbolizing the success of the forum, which brought together over 600 delegates from more than 40 countries to Cebu.
#LovethePhilippines #BagongPilipinas
