Cebu Province now ITOP member

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu has been formally accepted as a member of the Inter-islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum composed of island-province destinations in the world.

The acceptance was formalized during the 15th ITOP Forum held in Jeju Island, South Korea, last September 28 to 30 which was attended by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Cebu was given observer status two years when Garcia was invited to the 14th ITOP Forum in Hainan, China.

Magpale, who returned ahead of Garcia after the forum, told the media that ITOP has a bigger scope than the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF), of which Cebu is also a member.

“Mas high-end ang ITOP, not limited to East Asian countries. We want to tap the market of Europe and US,” Magpale said.

Other member provinces of ITOP are Jeju, South Korea; Hainan, China; Okinawa, Japan; Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Hawaii, USA; Canary Islands, Spain; and South Province, Sri Lanka.

With the theme “MICE Industry and Tourism Vision”, Magpale said the forum focused on the conceptualization of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition triggered by reports that tourists are now spending less.

“Mao ila gi-address ang high-end market (MICE) kay sila ang big spenders, stay longer in the place,” Magpale said.

Magpale said that in the Joint Declaration, it emphasized cooperation and sharing of information on how to prepare for this “high-end and very discriminating group” which is MICE. (FREEMAN)