Frasco to present Philippines’ sustainable tourism plans at UNWTO global forum

MANILA, Philippines — Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco is set to speak at the panel discussions at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Tourism Economy Forum to tackle the country’s sustainable tourism plans and initiatives.

Frasco will be speaking as a panelist for the session titled “Sustainability in Focus: Navigating the Future of Tourism in Asia.” During which, she is expected to discuss the key strategies of the country to pursue the sustainability objectives.

The Department of Tourism reported that these strategies would include the Philippines' profile as one of the megadiverse regions in the world, incorporation of multi-dimensional tourism in its product development, expansion of tourism development to emerging destinations, as well as the inclusion of Batanes Islands to the highly regarded UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories.

Frasco said her speaking engagement is also an opportunity to highlight the Philippines’ positive rebound in Asia Pacific.

Among the tourism chief’s first directives is to include sustainability indicators in the National Accommodation Standards.

“I am honored to bring the Philippines’ sustainable tourism plans, initiatives, and successes to the global stage to promote awareness of the incredible beauty and biodiversity of our country, and the work to sustain its development, conservation, and promotion to ensure tourism’s continued contribution to our country’s economy,” Frasco said.

The forum, attended by fellow tourism ministers from across the globe, is scheduled on Friday in Macao Special Administrative Region.

According to its website, GTEF is a leading international exchange platform designed to promote the sustainable development of the global tourism sector. This year, the forum is hosted by the Secretariat of Economy and Finance of the Government of Macao SAR, and in collaboration with the UNWTO. The GTEF is co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office and the China Chamber of Tourism and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre.

Among the distinguished attendees to the forum include Hu Heping of China, Daniela Garnero Santanche of Italy, Celso Sabino De Oliveira of Brazil, Priantha Fernando of Sri Lanka, as well as UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) President and CEO Julia Simpson, and GTEF Secretary Pansy Ho.

Also among the panelists are Harry Hwang, Director of the UNWTO Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific.  

The invitation to Frasco came months after the tourism secretary has been elected as chairman of the UNWTO’s Commission for East Asia and the Pacific during the 55th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in June.

She was also elected vice president of the 25th General Assembly of the UNWTO which is slated to take place next month.

In June, Batanes islands, the northernmost part of the Philippines, has also been named a new member of the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories. It is the first tourist destination in the country that has been chosen to be part of the UNWTO’s network of tourism observatories, through the Batanes Tourism Hospitality Monitoring Center.