THE Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) will organise the first Philippine Tourism Convention in May next year as the country gears up for the expected influx of 10 million foreign tourists by 2016.
To be held in a yet-to-be specified venue in Manila, the convention will be open to all tourism stakeholders including local government officials, hoteliers, travel consultants, schools as well as professionals engaged in various travel segments such as adventure travel and agro-tourism.
Among the highlights of this upcoming annual event is the private sector’s role in helping local government units improve their understanding of tourism, develop tourism criteria and put in place infrastructure to handle the forecasted growth in inbound traffic.
According to PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz, forum topics will include defining Filipino service and preparing for the 2015 implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on tourism professionals, which paves the way for higher competency standards and greater mobility within the regional bloc.
