Today is an exciting day as we lead one of the biggest summits on tourism and entrepreneurship. Go Negosyo and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board, supported by our business chamber partners such as Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are hosting the Tourism Summit 2019 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. As I mentioned in my previous articles, we are promoting the three pillars for inclusive growth. These are tourism, agriculture, and digitalization. We believe that tourism, if promoted and supported with development programs, will be one of the greatest drivers of economic growth. This summit will become a solid platform for discussion and reflection on what ASEAN countries have done to develop the tourism industry across the region. Whilst the Philippines is … [Read more...] about Tourism and mentorship
Tourism
Egypt’s rebounding tourism threatens Red Sea corals
HURGHADA, Egypt: In serene turquoise waters off Egypt's Red Sea coast, scuba divers ease among delicate pink jellyfish and admire coral - yet a rebounding tourism sector threatens the fragile marine ecosystem.The Red Sea is a top scuba diving destination, but Egypt's tourism sector was buffeted by a wave of security shocks through much of this decade, before a partial recovery since 2017.A diving instructor in the town of Hurghada, a top resort, warned that the rebound brought dangers for the corals.Before the decline in visitors "there was way too much activity because it was so cheap" he said, asking to remain anonymous."In some areas, they've disappeared - although in others we see they're coming back".The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says coral reefs are among "the most beautiful, biologically diverse and delicate ecosystems in the world".It describes these resources as vital to maintaining food supply and protecting the shorelines of low-lying island … [Read more...] about Egypt’s rebounding tourism threatens Red Sea corals
Tourist arrivals in Colombo to drop by 50% after bombings: Sri Lanka tourism chief
DUBAI: Tourist arrivals in Colombo will fall by 50 per cent over the next two months following the Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people, Sri Lanka's Tourism Bureau Chairman Kishu Gomes said on Monday (Apr 29).Tourist arrivals in areas outside Colombo will also go down by about 30 per cent following the bombings, he told reporters at a travel conference in Dubai.SriLankan Airlines' chief executive Vipula Gunatilleka told Reuters at the conference that the carrier had a 10 per cent increase in cancellations last week and expects that number to go up.Sri Lanka faces a likely collapse in tourism following Easter Sunday bomb attacks on churches and hotels, which would deal a severe blow to the island's economy and financial markets, and potentially force it to seek further IMF assistance.Gomes said the tourism bureau was chasing a target of 2.5 million visitors in 2019."We will probably reach about 2 million," Gomes told reporters. "We are looking at providing some … [Read more...] about Tourist arrivals in Colombo to drop by 50% after bombings: Sri Lanka tourism chief
Island Tourism Forum seeks to renew interest in post-quake Lombok
In an effort to bolster local tourism, the Australian consulate general in Mataram, Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province launched the Island Tourism Forum (ITF) on Monday. Australian Consul General Helena Studdert said the forum – attended by academics, industry players and members of the Indonesian government – was expected to strengthen ties between Indonesia and Australia, as well as start a discussion regarding investment opportunities in the regency. “This meeting serves as a platform where academics, members of the government and other related stakeholders could share perspectives and experiences with each other,” she said during the launch of the ITF. Studdert said the consulate hoped to discuss the state of local tourism in Lombok following the magnitude-5.7 earthquake that hit the region last year. Read also: 8 reasons to visit Lombok and the Gili Islands “We think it’s about time we held such a discussion … [Read more...] about Island Tourism Forum seeks to renew interest in post-quake Lombok
News Boracay can serves as ‘engine’ for Aklan tourism: urban planner
BORACAY -- Tourism development on this island, which emerged from a 6-month long cleanup, can be sustainable if it spreads to the entire province of Aklan, an urban planner sad. Boracay can serve as an "engine" to fuel development in other potential tourism spots like the mountains of Caticlan, said Ron Miranda, president of architecture firm 260INC. and an architect specializing in urban design. "Hindi lang naman dito beach lang (It's not just beaches here)," he told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of a forum on sustainability and green architecture. "You need to have some kind of master plan...Our best resource is the people and our land," he said. Malay local gov't lays down Boracay 'tropical design' guidelines Metro Manila is being decongested "inadvertently," with developments sprouting outside city centers, he said. "It's like you having a small house. You can't get rid of it, so you get another house," he said. "We have so many islands. We just have to educate people about our … [Read more...] about News Boracay can serves as ‘engine’ for Aklan tourism: urban planner