120 delegates from across East Asia: Cebu to host tourism forum

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is set to welcome around 120 delegates from across East Asia as it hosts the 19th East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF) General Assembly from September 2 to 4, 2026.

The three-day international gathering, themed “New EATOF, Go Glocal,” will bring together governors, standing commissioners, tourism officials, academics, industry stakeholders, and other representatives from EATOF member provinces and regions.

Among the confirmed participating areas are Sarawak in Malaysia, Luang Prabang in Laos, Tottori in Japan, Töv in Mongolia, Quang Ninh in Vietnam, Gangwon in South Korea, Siem Reap in Cambodia and Cebu Province.

Chief of Staff Charlton James Canoy said around 10 delegates are expected from each participating province or region. While only two to three governors have so far confirmed their attendance, other delegations are expected to be represented by vice governors, deputy vice governors and tourism officials.

“More or less 10 ka delegates per province,” Canoy said.

Delegates are expected to arrive in Cebu on September 1, ahead of the opening ceremony on September 2 at the Mactan Expo Center. The province will handle the food, accommodation, and transportation requirements of the visiting delegations.

The opening day will also feature EATOF Symposium Sessions 1 and 2, followed by a welcome dinner at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. Canoy said the Capitol was chosen as the venue for the dinner to allow the delegates to see the provincial government’s seat.

The second day, September 3, will focus on the general meeting proper, governors’ networking, the governors’ conference and press conference, and bilateral meetings among participating delegations.

According to Canoy, the bilateral meetings are expected to focus on accessibility, exchange of support and ideas, and tourism-related concerns and initiatives among member regions.

The province is also preparing tours for governors and heads of delegations, including an industrial tour that will feature Cebu’s Chocolate Queen, Raquel Choa, as part of the province’s effort to highlight local enterprises and products.

An EATOF Night is also scheduled, while the following day will feature a technical tour in Argao, where the province plans to showcase local products and cultural activities.

The delegations will be brought to Kabisera de Argao, where they will be introduced to local products and allowed to experience hablon making, according to Canoy.

“Dako nig impact para ma promote ang Cebu,” Canoy said, emphasizing the potential of the international gathering to promote the province as a tourism destination.

“Atong ipakita nila kung unsa ang atong ma offer,” he added.

Founded in 2000, EATOF is an international organization composed of provincial governments across East Asia that promotes tourism development, policy exchanges and sustainable regional growth.

The federation currently has 12 members, including Cebu Province, Gangwon State in South Korea, Tottori Prefecture in Japan, Jilin Province in China, Sarawak State in Malaysia, Chiang Mai Province in Thailand, Yogyakarta Special Region in Indonesia, Töv Province in Mongolia, Primorsky Krai in Russia, Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam, Luang Prabang Province in Laos and Siem Reap Province in Cambodia.

Canoy said the province has also coordinated with the Philippine National Police and Highway Patrol Group to ensure security and manage traffic during the arrival, activities, and movements of the international delegations. — (FREEMAN)