■ NATIONS AGREE TO SYNERGIZE EFFORTS ON HERITAGE, CULTURE DURING ITOP FORUM
International delegates agree heritage is great marketing tool
Meeting, incentives, conventions, events and exhibits. These are just the things that need to be pulled together if the region intends to intensify tourism. The 21st Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum last Oct. 17 and 18 discussed consolidating efforts under the theme, “Synergizing MICE with heritage and culture.” A joint statement was signed among representatives of seven member-regions, who each pledged to support and develop heritage and culture through MICE.
The 21st Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum last Oct. 17 and 18 discussed intensively the marketing tools for tourism based on the theme: “Synergizing MICE with heritage and culture.” MICE refers to meetings, incentives, conventions, and events and exhibits.
A joint statement was signed among the seven member-regions as represented by their heads. Cebu was represented by Gov. Hilario Davide III. The others were Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Director-General Wang Sheng of Hainan, China; Jeju, South Korea Vice Gov. Jeon Sung-Tae; Tourism Policies Director General Kazuhiro Toguchi of Okinawa, Japan; Tourism Devel- opment State Minister Danny Law Heng Kiang of Penang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand Vice Gov. Prakob Wongmaneerung and Gov. Hemakumara W. Nanayyakkara of Southern Province, Sri Lanka.
Through interactive discussions and consultations, the participants agreed on the importance of enhancing and developing heritage and culture through MICE.
Each member-region pledged its agreement and support to develop heritage and culture as a tourism thrust.
With widening globalization, tourism growth has shown a dynamic increase particularly in the Asia Pacific Region, which has shown the strongest acceleration.
The 22nd ITOP Forum will be held in Penang, Malaysia from Oct. 18 to 20, 2018.