RDC lauds DOT-7’s successful hosting of UN tourism meetings

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Development Council – Economic Development Committee in Central Visayas (RDC-EDC-7) has commended the Department of Tourism-Central Visayas (DOT-7) for successfully hosting the 36th Joint Meeting of the United Nations (UN) Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, along with the Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA), in June this year.

The First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia Pacific was held, highlighting Cebu's tourism and culinary offerings to over 500 local and international stakeholders.

The resolution commending DOT-7 was approved during the August 14, 2024 third quarter meeting of the RDC-EDC, led by Chairperson Melanie Ng and Vice Chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-7) Regional Director Jennifer Bretaña.

The annual UN Tourism Commission Meetings invite representatives of the UN Tourism Member States, UN Tourism Affiliate Members and international and regional organizations.

The First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for the Asia Pacific was a key highlight of this year’s joint meetings, held in Cebu on June 26-28.

The gastronomy tourism forum brought delegates on cultural-culinary adventures around Cebu City, Camotes Island, Aloguinsan, Argao and Dalaguete, effectively showcasing the strength of tourism as a key economic driver for the country.

Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, in her message to delegates, hailed the Cebu Call to Action issued by the forum for its potential “to empower communities, support economies and ensure sustainability.”

The 36th CAP-CSA, on the other hand, discussed the priority emphases of member states, namely, education in tourism and product development through green transformation.

The meeting was also the venue for the presentation of the UN Tourism Programme of Work for 2024-2025 and member states’ preparation for World Tourism Day on September 27, 2024.