Cebu to host international tourism forum in September

CEBU, Philippines - A tourism official of the Republic of Korea sees Cebu’s hosting of the 11th general assembly of the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF) to bring more active participation from member-provinces.

The Deputy Director of Tourism Marketing of Gangwon Province of the Republic of Korea, Roy Myung Woo, visited the other day at the office of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Woo met with Garcia’s chief of staff, Elizabeth Francia and Provincial Tourism Office in-charge Grace Paulino, to further discuss the preparations. 

“This 11th general assembly in Cebu will bring more active participation from member-provinces and this is the best opportunity to experience the local cultures in Cebu,” Woo said.

Eight governors reportedly have confirmed attendance in the EATOF general assembly on September 14 to 17 at the Cebu International Convention Center.

EATOF is a voluntary association that brings together local governments in East Asia to jointly develop the tourism industry.

The 12 members of EATOF are Cebu, Philippines; Jilin, China; Gangwon, Korea; Sarawak, Malaysia; Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Tottori, Japan; Luang Prabang, Laos; Tuv, Mongolia; Primorsky, Russia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Siem Reap, Cambodia and Quang Ninh, Vietnam.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, chairperson of the Provincial Board Committee on Tourism, said they are more than 80 percent complete with the preparations for EATOF and all committees are already in place.

Paulino said they would be renting a simultaneous interpreter’s booth similar to what was used during the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which would be rented from Manila.

Earlier, Garcia also met representatives of Hyundai-Cebu Inc. who offered the use of 12 latest model-luxury vehicles for the use of participating governors during their stay in Cebu.

Lowell Belarmino, general sales manager of Hyundai-Cebu Inc., said they offered their brand new cars in support to Garcia’s program.

Last year, Garcia attended the assembly held in Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam.

Garcia assumed as leader of the EATOF after Quang Ninh’s hosting.

Because of the goodwill ties, Garcia said Cebu is now enjoying several chartered flights from visiting EATOF member-provinces such as China, Korea, and Russia.  (FREEMAN)