Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco graced the weekly Membership meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila at the Manila Polo Club, Forbes Park, Makati recently as guest of honor and keynote speaker.
The Rotary Club is an International Non-Government socio-civic entity whose primary mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professionals, and community leaders.
The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) is known as the first and oldest Rotary Club in Asia which was founded in 1919.
Notable members of the RCM are three former DOT Secretaries, current RCM President Rafael Alunan III, and RCM Past Presidents Roberto Pagdanganan, and Vicente Carlos who all cordially welcomed Frasco at the event.
Pagdanganan introduced the tourism chief as a multi-awarded public servant noting her family’s devotion to public service from the time of her grandparents former Governor and Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia and retired Judge Esperanza Fiel Garcia.
”With all these certificates under Secretary Frasco’s leadership, the Marcos Administration’s goal of transforming Philippine tourism as part of Asia’s tourism powerhouses and a major economic pillar in the country’s post-pandemic program is well on its way,” said the former tourism chief.
During the meeting, the tourism head shared and highlighted the recent accomplishments of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the tourism industry.
She explained to the distinguished members and guests of the occasion that the DOT delivered these works as part of the agenda and objectives of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP 2023-28) of the current administration.
“Tourism’s recovery is already at 75 percent of the country’s target of 4.8 million arrivals, now exceeding 3.6 million as of August 2023.”
According to Frasco, tourism’s recovery is already at 75 percent of the country’s target of 4.8 million arrivals, now exceeding 3.6 million as of August 2023.
She said that the services sector remains a dependable source of economic activities, with tourism a crucial economic driver due to its ability to create jobs and livelihoods.
At the end of her presentation, Frasco invited the Rotary members to continue their invaluable contributions in the economic development of the country, especially in the area of tourism.
“This opportunity that we have before us we can fully capitalize on and declare to the world that there are so many reasons to Love the Philippines.”
“It is my sincere hope that with the partnership of the Rotary Club as well as its members, all of you captains of industry who contribute in one way or another to the project of nation-building, that we can ensure that our country through tourism will have a primary role in Asia as a tourism powerhouse and that this opportunity that we have before us we can fully capitalize on and declare to the world that there are so many reasons to Love the Philippines,” she stressed.
Frasco’s invitation and presence in the meeting significantly establishes the primary role of DOT as an important catalyst not only to the growth of tourism and economic enterprise but as a vehicle in the promotion of the Philippines as a premier global destination and the Filipinos’ distinct warmth and hospitality that is renowned worldwide.
