Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai signed the agreement on the Philippines’ hosting of the 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics on 21-24 June 2017.
Expected to participate are representatives from 163 member countries and territories and more than 500 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations, and local tourism authorities.
Secretary Teo said, “This is another very important milestone for the Philippines as this strengthens the country’s position as a preferred MICE destination, with 2017 commemorating the holding of numerous high-impact international events such as the Miss Universe Pageant, ASEAN 2017, Madrid Fusion Manila, and many others. More importantly, these activities help stimulate other ancillary components which yield greater opportunities for employment and revenues for government and the private sector.”
The conference is in response to the UNWTO’s wish for the conduct of an expert forum to measure sustainable tourism especially as it coincides with the United Nation’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development next year.
The signing was done at the sidelines of this year’s World Travel Mart (WTM) in London on 7 November 2016,