22 November 2016 – Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo was in Rome from 12 to 17 November 2016 to discuss possible tourism cooperation with Italy.

Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco received and welcomed Secretary Tulfo-Teo at the Philippine Embassy in Rome. The Ambassador briefed the Secretary on the interests and inclinations of Italian tourists when they travel. He underscored that PH can learn from Italy’s expertise and know-how on the management of sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural sites and heritage.

During a meeting with Italian Undersecretary for Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Ilaria Borletti-Buitoni, Secretary Tulfo-Teo conveyed PH’s interest to forge a tourism cooperation with Italy particularly on sustainable tourism. One of DOT’s main strategies is to target long-staying and high-spending tourists to ensure sustainable tourism.

The Secretary highlighted the various possibilities available to tourists in the Philippines including adventure, beaches, mountains, and culture, among others. She shared DOT’s plan to implement programs and activities which will actively promote PH’s destinations to Italian tourists.

A group of Italian tour operators will conduct a familiarization tour in the Philippines this year. They will visit some of the Philippines’ main sights. The tour operators are DOT’s partners in promoting and selling PH’s destinations to Italian tourists. END