The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo led the recent Metro Manila Tourism Forum (MMTF), which tackled issues on the development of the National Capital Region (NCR) as one of the world’s top urban destinations.
Local tourism-council officers, local government executives, and industry frontliners participated in the two-day forum, which featured presentations on the best attractions and tour packages in the metropolis.
The event had “Asean: Enhancing City Tourism Destinations toward Sustainable Development” as its theme. It was in line with the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) observance of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
Teo, who led the keynote speakers and international resource persons at the MMTF, said there is a need for Metro Manila’s cities to continue boosting their advantages and capitalize on their gains to promote the development of the country’s tourism industry.
There is also a need, she added, for the cities to exploit their similarities and uniqueness through market-sharing, so they can offer diverse experiences to tourists.
According to the tourism secretary, there’s a need for the cities to reinvent themselves to create unique spots that can attract markets, especially within the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) economic integration.
She said they need to take advantage of the opportunities to be created by the forthcoming opening of Manila as the home port to the prestigious Star Cruises luxury liner. The liner is set to bring travelers to Laoag City in Ilocos Norte province, Kaoshiung City in Taiwan, and Hong Kong from March to May.
Other keynote speakers in the forum included former Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) President Gregory Duffell, Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil, Homestay Philippines Inc. President Rose Libongco, and TravPax Solutions Pte Ltd. President Dror Maytal.
Department of Tourism (DOT)-NCR Officer-in-Charge Cathy Agustin presented the highlights of Metro Manila’s tourism products, which include leisure and entertainment, as well as culural and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
For their part, representatives of government tourism offices of the 16 cities and one municipality that make up Metro Manila presented their attractions and tour packages.
Showcased were Quezon City’s Maginhawa St. as an art and food hub, Banawe Street’s Chinatown; the La Loma lechon (roast suckling pig) colony; the Sgt. Esguerra Ave. entertainment center; Diliman’s knowledge district; and Old Manila districts, such as Intramuros, Quiapo and Binondo.
Malabon presented its talked-about Tricycle Tours, which combines history and culinary traditions; Makati, its fine dining and retail boutiques; Taguig, its old town center and Bonifacio Global City; Pasay, its convention centers, shopping malls, and adjunct recreational amenities; and Pasig, its urban Rainforest Adventure Experience (Rave) park, Barangay Kapitolyo’s restaurant row, and the newly restored revolving restaurant in the city proper.
Las Piñas showcased its world-famous Bamboo Organ and historical corridor; San Juan, its 1896 Philippine Revolution trail; and Mandaluyong, its old and new districts.
Organized by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and co-organized by the Quezon City government, the forum is supported by the DOT, the Tourism Promotions Board, Smart Communications, the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise and Zone Authority (Tieza), Philippine Airlines (PAL), Philippine Veterans Bank, and Petron.
Hosting next year’s MMTF is the city government of Parañaque, which is home to bayside world-class tourist facilities, such as Okada Manila, Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams, Aseana City, and Resorts World Bayside.