Philippines, Japan strengthen ties in tourism

CEBU, Philippines — More opportunities for tourism development are forecasted with the signing of the landmark agreement between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLITT).

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and MLIT Minister Tetsuo Saito signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for Tourism, the first stand-alone cooperation agreement between the two nations, DOT said.

The contract was exchanged in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the latter’s first official visit to the Philippines.

“With the signing of this landmark Memorandum of Cooperation on Tourism under the Marcos Administration, the Philippines’ bilateral relations with Japan is strengthened as we anticipate that this will exponentially expand tourism opportunities with the Japanese, which is one of our top source markets,” Frasco said.

Japan is considered as one of the country’s top sources of visitors ranking third as of November 2, 2023 with nearly a quarter of a million arrivals into the Philippines.

Frasco also enumerated different fields where such cooperation may bring.

“This shall also usher in further tourism development in the fields of sustainability, air and sea connectivity, education, human capital development, culture, gastronomy, nature and adventure, which shall increase tourism revenues for our stakeholders, usher in more tourism investments, and create more jobs for our fellow Filipinos, as envisioned by our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” added Frasco.

This as both countries agreed to strengthen and further develop Philippines-Japan ties in the field of tourism by increasing tourist arrivals for both countries from world tourist-generating markets.

More tourists are then expected to visit various tourist destinations and attractions, including rural areas in each other's country, and encourage mutual visits and traffic of high-value-added travelers to increase tourism consumption.

A healthy growth of the tourism industry of Philippines and Japan, especially on the aspects of education, culture, gastronomy, sustainable tourism, and adventure are also being laid out.

Additionally, both countries will engage in the exchange of information on matters related to the industry; education and training; ensure means of mutual traffic through the enhancement of air and sea connectivity, and joint promotional programs, as well as enhance transport connectivity to sustain people-to-people exchange and the influx of travelers, and ensure tourist safety, DOT said.

The Philippines and Japan also agreed to cooperate in terms of ensuring safety among tourists while they are staying in their respective countries.

A joint working group composed of senior officials from the DOT and MLITT will be convened for the proper implementation of the MOC which will run for five years, and is subject for renewal accordingly.  —  (FREEMAN)