India, Philippines Enhance Cooperation in Tourism

NEW DELHI, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- India and the Philippines will enhance mutual cooperation in the tourism sector by exploring new opportunities. The second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Tourism Cooperation decided that research and development, education and training, promotion and marketing as well as destination development and management were among the fields to be looked at. Union Secretary for Tourism RH Khwaja led the Indian delegation while the Philippines delegation was led by Secretary, Department of Tourism, Department of Philippines Maria Victoria V. Jasmin. Both the Indian and the Philippines gave an overview of the tourism sector in their respective countries and re-emphasised its potential for employment generation and economic growth. “It was also agreed that increase in tourist traffic between the two countries could strengthen bilateral relations at people to people level,” said a statement from the Indian Tourism Ministry. The possibilities of enhancing air-connectivity between both the countries were also discussed, it said. India and the Philippines emphasised upon the need of exchange of visits of tour operators, media persons related to tourism and opinion makers to promote tourism between the two countries. The ministry said New Delhi and Manila also agreed that growing opportunities in tourism sector should be showcased to attract investments from the private stakeholders of the two countries. Tourist arrival from the Philippines touched 24,534 in 2010, a steady increase from 21,987 in 2009 and 17,222 in 2008. A Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility was extended to tourists from Philippines in Jan 2011. -- BERNAMA