The Department of Tourism (DOT) joined the officials and stakeholders from the travel and maritime transport industry at the opening ceremony of the Manila International Boat Show and Blue Economy Annual Trade & Conference 2024 (BEACON EXPO) as guest of honor at the Manila Yacht Club headquarters.
The event commenced with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco; Maritime League Inc. President and Chairman Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma R. Santos (Ret.) represented by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Former Commandant Vice Admiral Edmund C. Tan; Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Sonia Malaluan represented by Atty. Maria Rowena Hubilla; Manila Yacht Club President and PCG Auxiliary Commodore Marco Tronqued; and Boating Industries Association of the Philippines (BIAP) President Engr. Eugene Supangan.
In her speech, Frasco underscored how the country’s maritime industry has been contributing greatly to the local economy.
“Events like the BEACON Expo reflect an admirable commitment of the private sector to support our government’s drive to maximizing the economic potential of our natural resources.”
“I am delighted to join you today at this gathering of industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders in the travel and maritime transportation industry. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Maritime League and all organizers, as well as the Manila Yacht Club, for your efforts to advance the maritime sector. Events like the BEACON Expo reflect an admirable commitment of the private sector to support our government’s drive to maximizing the economic potential of our natural resources while ensuring responsible and ethical stewardship and conservation of our nation’s assets,” the tourism chief said.
The tourism head also shared how the Department has been injecting innovations to further the potential of the sector. These include the liberalization of visa policies for tourists coming into the country, which resulted in the launch of the Cruise Visa Waiver (CVW) program; the expanded promotion of the country’s natural assets which earned more cruise calls for the country, among others.
She took the opportunity to thank the uniformed personnel for continuously assisting the DOT on its projects and regional events.
“I would just like to express my special thanks to our men and women in uniform, especially those in the coast guard and maritime police for they largely assisted in all these dive audits across the country,” Frasco said.
“By promoting responsible tourism and innovative maritime solutions, together we can harness the full potential of our natural resources while preserving them for future generations.”
“We can all agree that the development of the blue economy is absolutely necessary for sustainable development particularly of the maritime industry, and of tourism as a whole. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and communities is vital to ensuring that sustainability is not just a theoretical concept but rather, a way of life. By promoting responsible tourism and innovative maritime solutions, together we can harness the full potential of our natural resources while preserving them for future generations,” she concluded.
