Move FM Australian News

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 29 (PIA)–Paranaque City is set to host the Metro Manila Tourism Forum 2018 on August 30-31 at The Blue Leaf Filipinas, in Aseana City.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat will keynote the event, which is organized by the International School for Sustainable Tourism and supported by the Department of Tourism and the Automobile Association Philippines.

Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor with

Jason Ting, Michael Quitorio,Alejandro Lauzon, and Ronan Dela Pena.

According to Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the event will not only showcase destinations, but will also open economic opportunities for their local and international markets.

The confab, carrying the theme “City Tourism: Rebuilding a Local Destination to a Global Brand,” will be participated by local government executives, tourism council officers, tourism educators and students, and tourism industry stakeholders.

Olivarez explained that the MMTF will integrate tourism in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, employment and poverty reduction, environment protection and climate change, cultural values, diversity and heritage, and peace and security.

He said the two-day event will also showcase Paranaque’s world-class business and leisure centers, as well as the rich cultural heritage it has manages to preserve despite its rapid urbanization.

It will have a parallel Metro Manila Travel mart which will exhibit various attractions and packages that will be offered by local government units and private tour operators.

The event will open with the “Empower the Leaders” plenary led by Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo, with House of Representatives tourism committee chair Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar as speakers.

The second plenary is themed “Engage the Culture and Community” with Clickable Vietnam CEO Jason Lusk as keynote. Talks on “Unity in Community” by Platinum Fireworks President Joel Sta. Ana, “Culture, Heritage, Arts, Craftsmanship and Entertainment” by Walk This Way Tour president Carlos Celdran, “Tourism is Everybody’s Business” by Leisure and Resorts World Corp. CEO and president Reynaldo Bantug, and “Pinoy Urban Gastronomy” by celebrity chef Bruce Lim are also on tap.

The third plenary session is themed “City Branding Campaign” with inputs on “Social Media Ambassadors” by Philippine Tourism Star Awardee Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet.

The Forum concludes with the presentations of the DOT National Capital Region and the individual local government units (LGUs) on their tourism products and services. (PIA-NCR)