AAP leads metro tourism confab

REDISCOVER the tourism gems of the metropolis with the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), the country’s national auto club, as it convenes the Metro Manila Tourism Forum (MMTF). MMTF gathers government and private stakeholders to help draw a comprehensive tourism framework.

Set on Feb. 9-10 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, the event is co- organized by the Quezon City government led by Mayor Herbert Bautista and supported by the Department of Tourism.

According to AAP president Augusto Lagman, the two-day confab will integrate tourism in the promotion of inclusive and sustainable growth; employment and poverty reduction; resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change; cultural values, diversity and heritage; and peace and security.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo will lead the keynote speakers, which also include UNWTO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Xu Jing, The Wallace Business Forum President Peter Wallace, Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure & Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan, and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) immediate past president Gregory Duffel.

Other keynote speakers are International School for Sustainable Tourism (ISST) President Dr. Mina Gabor, Homestay Philippines, Inc. President Rose Libongco, TravPax Solutions Pte Ltd. President Dror Maytal, and DoT-NCR Officer- in- Charge Cathy Agustin who will present the best metropolitan tour packages.

Topics include Changing the Tourism Face of City Destinations for a Quality Visitor Experience, Enhancing City Tourism Destinations Competitiveness through Improved Accessibility, and A 360o View: Positioning City Tourism Destinations in the ASEAN and Local Marketplace.

Lagman said the forum will be participated in by tourism council officers, local government officials and executives from tourism establishments.

The MMTF is themed “ASEAN: Enhancing City Tourism Destinations towards Sustainable Development” in line with the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s ( UNWTO) observance of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Participants from other ASEAN member countries are also taking part in support of the Philippines’ chairmanship of this year’s ASEAN Summit and 50th founding celebration.

AAP through its tourism arm, AAP Travel, has been promoting road tourism through caravans across the archipelago in top destinations such as Rizal, Negros Occidental, Laguna, Bohol, Batanes, Ilocos Region, Cavite, and Oriental Mindoro.

MMTF is backed by the Tourism Promotions Board, Smart Corporation, and the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise and Zone Authority, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Veterans Bank, Petron, and Philippine Daily Inquirer and Business Mirror as media partners.

For details, contact AAP at 705-3333 and 09285074288 or email metromanilatourismforum@gmail.com.