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RP to Host World Tourism Organization Events in Manila
Press Release from: Office of Tourism Information
The Philippines is hosting a World Tourism Organization (WTO) series of events at the Makati Shangri-la on June 16-20,2003 to be participated by countries from East Asia, the Pacific and South Asia.
The five-day event is expected to draw some 200 delegates composed of tourism ministers and heads of regional and international organizations. Delegations from Australia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region (SAR), Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Vietnam have confirmed their attendance.
Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon said, “It is indeed, a good sign that despite the recent outbreak of SARS in the region and the fear of traveling here that it has cause this meeting in Manila is pushing through.”
“It shows that the leaders on international tourism have confidence in the Philippines as a safe and ideal destination,” he added.
The summit is composed of the Technical Workshop on Tourism Satellite Account on June 16-17, the Ministerial Summit on Crisis Management on June 18, the 18th joint meeting of WTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and WTO Commission for South Asia which will be held on the same day on June 19 together with the 39th meeting of WTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific. The participants are scheduled to have a city tour in Manila afterwards on June 20.
Participating in the Technical Workshop on Tourism Satellite Account are representatives of the National Tourism Administrations (NTAs), National Statistics Offices, Central Bank, business associations and the private sector in Asia Pacific region.
International and regional organizations like WTO, United Nations Statistics Division and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific are also participating to assist countries in the region to develop the TSA.
According to WTO, the tourism satellite account has opened the eyes of many on the economic importance of tourism which has continued to be among the top export earner internationally despite the crisis, with receipts of $464 billion dollars in 2001.
The WTO is growing in influence and visibility in the international community and has begun its transformation into a specialized agency of the United Nations. Through its efforts, tourism has been included in the plan of action adopted during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. In addition, it is now recognized as an important tool in the fight against poverty.
The WTO Commission headed by Secretary General Francesco Frangialli said, “Beyond the Iraq crisis, we are convinced that the need for multilateral cooperation with the framework of the United Nations will be felt more strongly and more urgently than ever.”
“Hong Kong has already taken the necessary measures urged by ICAO to prevent the spread of SARS by air transport,” Mr Lam said.
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