The Philippines will host the 3rd BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines–East ASEAN Growth Area) Joint Tourism Development Cluster Meeting this month. Joint initiatives on Culture, Adventure and Nature plus golf and diving destinations will be discussed together with improving air accessibility in the growth area, a flagship program under its Roadmap for Development.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) spearheads the event as the National Coordinator with support from the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), the local government units and private sector of South Cotabato and Koronadal City where the meeting will be held.

DOT Region XII Director Sohura T. Dimaampao, Sub-National Coordinator for BIMP-EAGA Affairs, disclosed that representatives from airlines, travel agencies and tour companies will also finalize tour packages on the area. Other strategies in support of each country’s marketing efforts as well as promotion of air linkages within the growth area will also be discussed.

Over 200 delegates are expected to attend the international meeting to be held at Marvella Plaza Hotel, City of Koronadal on 16-19 July 2006. The event is scheduled in time for the annual celebration of the T’nalak Festival in South Cotabato.

Joining the government and private sector participants from the member countries are representatives from the National Territory Tourism in Darwin, Australia, German Technical Assistance (GTZ), BIMP-Facilitation Center, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and members of the Philippine EAGA Technical Working Group.

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