The City of Parañaque takes center stage as it hosts the Metro Manila Tourism Forum 2018 set on Aug. 30-31 at The Blue Leaf Filipinas in Aseana City.
Themed “City Tourism: Rebuilding a Local Destination to a Global Brand,” the confab will be participated in by local government executives, tourism council officers, tourism educators and students, and industry frontliners.
According to Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, this year’s forum will focus on redefining city tourism as an international icon not just showcasing the destinations, but also opening economic opportunities for the local and international markets.
He added that the MMTF will integrate tourism in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, employment and poverty reduction, environmental protection and climate change, cultural values, diversity and heritage, and peace and security.
He noted that the two-day meet will also showcase Paranaque’s world-class business and leisure centers, as well as the rich cultural heritage it has managed to preserve despite its rapid urbanization.
Organized by the International School for Sustainable Tourism and supported by the Department of Tourism and the Automobile Association Philippines, the MMTF will have a parallel Metro Manila Travel Mart which will exhibit the various attractions and packages offered by the local government units and private tour operators.
The confab opens with the “Empower The Leaders” plenary to be keynoted by Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panaderos. The session, which will be attended by key government stakeholders, aims to empower the leaders, engage the people, and establish a culture of unity in governance.
The second plenary is themed “Engage the Culture and Community” with Clickable Vietnam CEO Jason Lusk as keynote and talks on “Unity in Community” by Platinum Fireworks President Joel Sta. Ana, and “Culture, Heritage, Arts, Craftsmanship and Entertainment.”
The third plenary session is themed “City Branding Campaign” with inputs on “Social Media Ambassadors” by Philippine Tourism Star Awardee Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet.
The Forum concludes with the presentations of the DOT National Capital Region and the individual local government units (LGUs) on their tourism products and services.
A unique political entity composed of 16 cities and one municipality, Metro Manila is an eclectic blend of the old and the new with its colonial-era districts and modern business enclaves.
With its urban blight notwithstanding, Metro Manila is an intriguing and exciting tropical metropolis for many foreign tourists. As a proof of its growing popularity, it welcomed 41 international cruise ship port calls last year which brought in 58,828 passengers.
The megacity was featured in a 48-hour travelogue by London-based Independent newspaper and was named as among the world’s 10 Fastest-Emerging Global Cities by The World Post.
For more information, log on to www.metromanilatourismforum.com or follow Metro Manila Tourism Forum on Facebook.