The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to strengthen its bilateral relations with Thailand by signing the “Implementation Program of the Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism.”
Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong officially inked the agreement at the Double Tree Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
This initiative follows the longstanding partnership established by the original Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism, signed on March 24, 1993, in Manila.
“We can benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers, its internationally recognized cultural heritage, and world-class medical services, which will undoubtedly enhance our own tourism offerings.”
“For the Philippines, this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to tap into Thailand’s remarkable success in attracting visitors, particularly in areas such as cultural tourism and medical tourism. We can benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers, its internationally recognized cultural heritage, and world-class medical services, which will undoubtedly enhance our own tourism offerings,” Frasco explained.
“Thailand stands to gain from the Philippine expertise in hospitality, where we have earned a reputation for excellence.”
“In return, Thailand stands to gain from the Philippine expertise in hospitality, where we have earned a reputation for excellence. Additionally, the Philippines is a premier destination for dive tourism – home to some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems – and for English language tourism, where our world-class language schools attract students from all over the globe,” the tourism chief added.
Thienthong expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Thank you for this MOU signing, for exchanging our knowledge and technology and we are looking forward to working with the Philippines.”
The program will be effective from 2025 to 2030, aiming to foster tourism cooperation and drive mutual growth within both nations’ tourism sectors.
Key areas of focus include Tourism Cooperation, the Exchange of Best Practices, Human Resource Development, and Joint Tourism Promotions and Marketing.
To ensure successful implementation, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be established to oversee coordination and monitor the activities and deliverables of the program.
Also present from the Thailand delegation are Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham, Vice Minister for Tourism and Sports, Nutthira Phangkhun – Deputy Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Puripan Boonnag – Director of MICE Capabilities Development Department, Weeraphat Chinnaphan – Tourism Services Development Expert Acting Director of Tourism Professional Development Division, and Katesaraporn Wimonrat – Director of International Affairs Division.
DOT officials present include Undersecretaries Verna Buensuceso, Maria Rica Bueno, and Myra Paz Abubakkar; Assistant Secretaries Czarina Zara Loyola and Ronald Conopio, and Director Alven Talisic.
