The Department of Tourism (DOT) strengthened its promotion of the country through the 2nd Hybrid Philippine Education Tourism Conference (PETC) recently in Clark, Pampanga.
Led by the DOT through its Office of Product and Market Development (OPMD), the two-day conference aimed to further develop English as Second Language (ESL) which is considered as the country’s key education tourism product being promoted by OPMD since 2013.
“Among the biggest challenges we face today is how to effectively provide students with their learning requirements. Because of the pandemic, teachers, students, and schools had to shift quickly to digital forms of instruction,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.
“The Department of Tourism will continue to conduct activities that will further the growth of the education tourism industry and assist our stakeholders.”
“Despite this difficult educational environment, we have to continue equipping our students with the necessary skills to succeed in an unpredictable world, which requires innovation and a strong support network. As such, the Department of Tourism will continue to conduct activities that will further the growth of the education tourism industry and assist our stakeholders,” Romulo-Puyat added.
“Prior to the pandemic, the Philippines was considered as the world’s fifth largest ESL provider.”
The tourism chief also shared that prior to the pandemic, the Philippines was considered as the world’s fifth largest ESL provider.
To enhance the country’s position not only as an ESL hub but also as a multi-faceted education tourism destination, the PETC showcased to both local and foreign students short-term online and offline education tourism programs that are being offered by institutions in the Philippines in the new normal.
The event also invited local and foreign education tourism authorities to share their expertise on marketing strategies that will help local institutions make their offerings more appealing to foreign students.
Invited experts tackled topics that are relevant to stakeholders such as international mobility, latest education requirements for foreign students, and best practices of neighboring countries that local institutions can adopt to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
Another major component of the PETC is the virtual business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) networking activities slated on January 28, which aim to provide opportunities for stakeholders and key players to renew or forge new partnerships and exchange ideas and education trends.
The first-ever PETC was first organized by the DOT in July 2019 at the Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The two-day event was attended by over 350 participants from ESL schools, colleges, universities, associations, and government agencies.
