Cebu is bringing tourism leaders from across East Asia to one table as the province hosts the 19th General Assembly of the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF), opening discussions on cooperation in tourism and other areas.
The assembly formally opened Wednesday at Mactan Expo Cebu, with delegates from member regions joining Cebu officials, tourism stakeholders and partners for the gathering.
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the assembly provides participating regions with an opportunity to address common challenges and explore areas where they can work together.
“For Cebu, we see great opportunities for stronger cooperation in tourism and cultural exchanges, sports tourism, connectivity, investment, sustainable destination development, and people-to-people exchanges,” she said.
Baricuatro said changing traveler preferences are reshaping tourism, with visitors increasingly looking for meaningful experiences while host communities expect the industry to generate greater benefits.
She also pointed to climate change, environmental pressures, connectivity and rapid development as challenges confronting destinations.
“These challenges remind us that we cannot build the future of tourism alone,” she said.
Through EATOF, member regions can exchange experiences and policies, share solutions and establish partnerships that may lead to programs and opportunities for their communities, Baricuatro said.
She also encouraged delegates to look beyond Cebu’s established attractions and experience its beaches, mountains, heritage, cuisine, festivals and people.
“We invite you to experience Cebu, but more importantly, we invite you to connect with Cebu,” Baricuatro said.
Vice Gov. Glenn Soco highlighted Cebu’s potential role in strengthening links among the participating regions, citing its airport, ports and people as connections to other destinations.
“We’ve always believed something about Cebu. That we’re not just a place people visit. We’re a gateway. A gateway for East Asia. Our airport connects. Our ports connect. Our people connect,” Soco said.
Soco said the assembly’s discussions could extend beyond tourism to business and other forms of cooperation, noting that tourism affects employment, families and communities that depend on visitors.
The international gathering includes representatives from Cebu Province, Gangwon State in South Korea, Tottori Prefecture in Japan, Jilin Province in China, Töv Province in Mongolia, Sarawak in Malaysia, Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam, Luang Prabang Province in Laos and Siem Reap Province in Cambodia.
The opening ceremony also featured Cebu’s cultural heritage, with Tribu Lumad Basakanon presenting the colors and rhythms of the Sinulog to the delegates.
Established in 2000, EATOF serves as a platform for provincial governments in East Asia to cooperate on tourism, exchange policies and promote sustainable growth.
The federation has 12 members: Cebu Province, Gangwon State, Tottori Prefecture, Jilin Province, Sarawak State, Chiang Mai Province, Yogyakarta Special Region, Töv Province, Primorsky Krai, Quang Ninh Province, Luang Prabang Province and Siem Reap Province.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
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