𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐒 𝐔𝐏 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐌 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival led a coordination meeting today, January 6, at the Capitol Gallery to synchronize preparations for Cebu’s hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) from January 26 to 30 in Cebu City and Mactan Island.
The forum is expected to bring more than a thousand delegates to Cebu, including around 500 senior ASEAN officials such as tourism ministers and representatives of national tourism organizations, as well as travel exhibitors, international buyers, and members of the media.
The coordination meeting was attended by regional directors of various national government agencies that form part of the organizing committees, including the Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and others.
Discussions centered on streamlining logistics and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to ensure seamless conduct of the event.
Another important item tackled on the agenda was security measures for visiting dignitaries, including foreign ministers and their spouses. These protocols ensure their safety during both official functions and personal engagements, in accordance with diplomatic standards.
Gov. Baricuatro also directed the Department of Health Region 7, through Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes, to work with the provincial government in forming medical teams that will provide on-call medical assistance to delegates throughout the forum.
Meanwhile, DOT Region 7 Officer-in-Charge Director Geleena Asis Dimpas presented the schedule of high-level meetings, including the ASEAN Tourism Conference, where regional and international experts will converge to discuss tourism trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Beyond official meetings, delegates will be offered curated tours showcasing Cebu and nearby destinations, including a heritage tour of Cebu City, island hopping in Lapu-Lapu City, leisure and golf activities in northern Cebu, heritage sites in southern Cebu, the Bojo River experience in Aloguinsan, the sardine run in Moalboal, Kawasan Falls in Badian, and a culinary and leisure tour in Bohol.
The governor and the mayor emphasized the need to complete all preparations ahead of the forum, noting that Cebu will also be busy with the preparations for the Sinulog festivities. Both the provincial and city governments committed their full support, citing the event’s importance in further strengthening Cebu’s international profile.
The ASEAN Tourism Forum is ASEAN’s premier annual gathering of tourism ministers, government officials, and industry stakeholders from its 11 member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. It aims to promote Southeast Asia as a single tourism destination, strengthen regional cooperation, and shape future tourism strategies through ministerial meetings, TRAVEX business exchanges, and discussions on sustainability and digital transformation. | 𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶
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