Maximizing her official visit to Manama, Bahrain for the United Nations (UN) Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco held discussions with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
The meeting centered on advancing the proposal to establish an International Tourism Academy in Cebu, a project first announced by Secretary-General Pololikashvili during the Philippines’ hosting of the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific earlier this year.
Frasco reaffirmed the DOT’s seriousness in realizing its partnership with UN Tourism, emphasizing the ongoing coordination between DOT and UN Tourism teams to firm up details of the project.
The tourism chief likewise conveyed the strong desire on the side of the Philippines to ensure the sustainability and inclusivity of the planned academy and its offerings, in that it adopts digitalization, and is able to offer advance tourism courses that would elevate the quality of tourism workforce, as well as to provide scholarships to serve underprivileged students.
“My meeting with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili centered on advanced tourism programs to elevate the industry workforce, digitalization in tourism, and implementing scholarship programs for underprivileged students.”
“A United Nations Tourism Academy is forthcoming for the Philippines! My meeting with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili centered on advanced tourism programs to elevate the industry workforce, digitalization in tourism, and implementing scholarship programs for underprivileged students,” the tourism head said.
Additionally, Frasco proposed the inclusion of scholarships for underprivileged students, positioning the academy as a platform to empower future tourism leaders and extend opportunities to underserved communities.
“This vision positions the academy as a transformative platform to empower future tourism leaders while extending opportunities to underserved communities.”
“This vision positions the academy as a transformative platform to empower future tourism leaders while extending opportunities to underserved communities,” she added.
As a gesture of gratitude for his partnership and support to Philippine tourism, Frasco presented Secretary-General Pololikashvili with a Pusô plaque, symbolizing the success of the forum, which brought together over 600 delegates from more than 40 countries to Cebu.
