Gwen to attend tourism summit in South Korea

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to have her first official out of the country business trip since 2019.

Garcia confirmed her attendance at the 18th East Asia Tourism Forum (EATOF) in Gangwon Forestry Exhibition Federation in South Korea next month.

The governor told EATOF secretary-general Jun Tae Hyeon during the latter's visit at the Capitol on August 30 that she will attend the three-day forum.

The gathering of the 10-member provinces in East Asia is expected to discuss matters concerning the tourism industry-- from the tourism challenges and concerns to the bilateral talks that will further strengthen the ties among the members when it comes to the development of the tourism sector in the region.

An international association, EATOF was established in the year 2000 in Gangwon which is currently comprised of 10-member provinces namely: Gangwon, South Korea, Cebu, Philippines; Jilin, China; Gangwon, South Korea; Sarawak, Malaysia; Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Tottori, Japan; Luang Prabang, Laos; Tuv, Mongolia; Siem Reap, Cambodia; and Quang Ninh, Vietnam.

The organization was formed with an aim to further promote and boost tourism in the East Asia region.

Last October 2022, Cebu Vice Governor Hilario Davide III led the Cebu delegation during the 17th EATOF in Vietnam.

The 15-member delegation composed of officials from the Cebu Province and private sector attended the three-day summit. — GMR (FREEMAN)