EATOF @ 12

One of the biggest boosts out of the 12 years of East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF) is overcoming unhealthy competitiveness among neighbors. It is a stark fact that countries in the region offer similar attractions – mostly, pretty beaches and bargain shopping. Getting to know each other in a regular, up-close basis, like in the EATOF conference, can spell a lot of difference in our marketing of our individual countries.

Religion, culinary preferences, cultural practices and tradition bunch up the differences – albeit minimal among some – of the member nations. What is unique to EATOF is the participation, not in a national scope, of provincial governments. By focusing on certain areas in a country, tourism thrust can be honed to a greater level of finesse.

Take, for instance, the idea of bunching up a SPORTS SPECTACULAR package among member nations to tourists in the west, offering summer games in Cebu and winter games in Korea (I know Jeju Island has been trying to attract tourist to its winter sports facilities) with a side-trip to Japan’s Tottori Prefecture for its hot springs. Isn’t this an exciting tourism tie-up among EATOF member nations?

Another boost this year’s conference has put on the table is the creation of a center for tourism education and research. I salute educator Jaehee Jung of Hallum college (Korea) for putting forth such a recommendation. It was he who came up with the destination clustering suggestion and of tapping markets outside of the region to improve tourism revenues.

Indeed, we should have a concrete center for tourism players to nurture the effulgence of creative mindsets, strategies, solutions on the industries weaknesses and strengths. As has been pointed out in the recently concluded EATOF conference, there have been a number of recommendations that have not been acted upon by the member nations. Perhaps with a Tourism Education & Research Center in every member nation, these recommendations can be properly implemented and assessed.

I strongly believe that such a center will have to be undertaken not just by government, but also by the private sector. It is in the tandem effort of GOs and NGOs that projects tend to move forward.

EATOF at 12 is proving to be a venue for regional tourism to prosper despite the series of global economic crises. It is in unity that there is strength. This truism is again used to our advantage. Hail to EATOF!