Cebu to host 4-day int'l tourism forum

 Cebu will play host to the 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities at the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort on October 22 to 25.

The Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization has accepted the invitation of the Department of Tourism to hold its 82nd session here in Cebu.

The event will be attended primarily by members of parliament responsible for tourism policy making at the national and local levels, Tourism Ministers, Governors and Mayors of high-urbanized or independent cities.

However, a technical workshop on tourism statistics and tourism satellite account will be conducted on the eve of the main event. The technical workshop will be participated by technical officers from national tourism organizations, national statistics offices, central banks and local tourism offices.

Keynote speakers on policy and legislation for tourism development during the first day of the Parliamentarians and Local Authorities Forum include UNWTO secretary-general Francesco Frangialli, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and House Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Bohol Rep. Edgar Chatto, chairman of the House Committee on Tourism will discuss on economic knowledge of tourism at the local level and the measurement of employment in the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism will discuss legislating tourism policies and its processes and mechanisms.

There would also be speakers from other countries.

The closing ceremony and dinner will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center with Senate President Manny Villar. The next day, participants would participate in a technical visit to Bohol.

Organizers of the event have opened the opportunity for travel agencies to offer a variety of tours and excursions to the participants. – Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)