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UN-WTO
brass prepares for world
tourism forum
Philippine delegation head Cong. Edgar
M. Chatto turns over conference materials to UN-WTO Sec.
Gen. Francesco Frangialli for the 6th UN-WTO International
Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities
in 2008. The turn-over was timed with the recent launching
of the Philippine hosting of the international forum and
highlighted the UNWTO General Assembly in Colombia, South
America. |
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A
top official of the United Nations - World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO) is coming next month to prepare Cebu and Bohol
for the 6th UNWTO International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians
and Local Authorities on October 22-25 this year.
Rep.
Edgar Chatto reported in the Provincial Tourism Council
(PTC) meeting on Thursday the February 2-3 coming of
Dominique Bernardette, chief of the UNWTO International
Conferences Department, to assess the proposed venues
and logistics of the global event.
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As
many as 300 delegates from 156 countries are expected to come
for the first world assembly of tourism and related policy
makers in 2008, according to the congressman in the meeting
led by PTC chair Peter Dejaresco and Gov. Erico Aumentado.
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The
Philippines earned the right to host the global gathering
after winning the bid during the 5th UNWTO Conference
in Tunisia, South Africa in June of 2007.
Chatto,
chair of the tourism committee in Congress since 2004,
and Department of Tourism (DOT) Planning Director Allan
Canizal presented and defended the country's interest
to host the event with technical visit to Bohol. Cebu
is the main venue.
The
solon said the Philippine bid drew support from fellow
ASEAN member nations and even earned the backing of
China, then the strongest contender for the hosting
right.
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While
in the country, UNWTO's Bernardette will meet with DOT Sec.
Ace Durano, Sen. Richard Gordon, Usec. Edu Jarque, Usec. Phineas
Alburo, Regional Dir. Dawnie Roa, Canizal and Chatto.
In
Bohol, Bernardette will be escorted by the First District
solon and PTC Chair Peter Dejaresco in her courtesy visits
to the Bohol officials headed by the governor and local tourism
industry keyplayers.
In
the PTC meeting, Chatto attributed the lucky Philippine bid
to host the UNWTO forum to the diplomatic dialogues that simply
served well the country's position.
Foreign
counterparts hailed the spirited and exceptional lobbying
by the Chatto-led Philippine delegation as one of the best-admired
sidelights in-between the high-profile Tunisia conference
of the UNWTO.
The
UNWTO gathering this year hosted by the Philippines was launched
last November in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia on the occasion
of the UNWTO General Assembly.
Cong.
Chatto led the 3-man Philippine delegation to Colombia General
Assembly to officially turnover conference materials to UNWTO
Sec. Gen. Francesco Frangialli and hold preparatory meeting
with key UN-WTO officials. He was assisted by DOT Usec. Phineas
Alboro and Dir. Cañizal.
A
recent global survey thru a website known to international
travelers and tourists named Bohol as now one of the world's
ten best travel sites otherwise "never heard of before."
The
Bohol Tourism Office (BTO) recorded 107, 377 foreign and 372,960
domestic arrivals---or a total of 480,337 arrival---here from
January to November last year.
One of Bohol's first-time visitors in 2007 was US Ambassador
Kristine Kenny, who later wrote to Chatto and described this
island-province to be at par with the world's best in eco-cultural
tourism.
UNWTO
is a specialized agency of the United Nations addressing global
policy issues on tourism and related industries.
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