LU JOINS 1ST BIGGEST SUMMIT ON TOURISM
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza Photo By: GPC-Tourism Date: May 2, 2019
Representatives from the Provincial Information Office – Tourism Operations Unit and Office of the Governor – Local Economic Enterprise and Investment Promotions Unit join more than 7,000 attendees from different industries in a photo opportunity during the first Tourism Summit Philippines 2019 held on May 2, 2019 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. The summit aims to develop a more integrated tourism industry and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic growth in the region.
Representatives from the Provincial Information Office – Tourism Operations Unit and Office of the Governor – Local Economic Enterprise and Investment Promotions Unit were sent by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III for the first-ever Tourism Summit Philippines 2019 held on May 2, 2019 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City where they took part in an important convergence of ideas featuring tourism industry as one of the pillars for greater inclusive growth.
The event, organized by Go Negosyo and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board, was supported by the business chambers and organizations. It was joined by more than 7,000 attendees from micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs); aspiring young entrepreneurs; business leaders; local government offices; embassies; and the academe who were equipped with the knowledge on the importance of the tourism industry as an engine for economic development. The event was hosted by Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Mercato Centrale Co-founder RJ Ledesma.
The summit was graced by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Advisory Council Philippine Chairman and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion. In his message, he stressed the importance of Tourism, Agri-business and Digitalization as pillars for inclusive growth. “I believe tourism is the most inclusive sector as it extends not just to the services provided by airlines and travel agencies, but also includes the culinary industry, retail, transportation, logistics, medical, and agriculture. Indeed, a boost in tourism is a boost to the economy,” he added.
Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also shared significant milestones of the tourism industry to the participants. She said that tourism industry play an important role in the economy.
The Tourism Summit 2019 lined up mentors, speakers, panelists and reactors from different countries who imparted their insights and expertise through five comprehensive forums – Opening Up Land, Sea and Sky for Global Tourism; Discovering the Different Island Beats; Where Tourists Stay; So Much to Do, So Much to See, So We Make Time; and Learn from the Experts: Lessons in Keeping Up the Business. Each forum presented diverse topics, best practices, new destinations, and business models among the ASEAN countries which can be adopted in the local tourism industry. Korina Sanchez, Karen Davila, Issa Litton, Kim Atienza, Sam YG, and Atty. Mike Toledo also attended the event as moderators of the forum.
The summit also housed an exhibit area of booths from different countries, top local destinations, provinces, local government agencies, digital platform, business models and other organizations supporting entrepreneurship and tourism. The booths showcased the participants’ culture and tourism industry.
Through the summit, La Union delegates were able to get a chance in expanding their networks and in harnessing new relationship with entrepreneurs and experts from the tourism industry. This allowed them to share and accumulate ideas on future plans on how they can create improvements for the tourism industry in La Union particularly in making the province the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025.
