By PR | 01:58 AM March 22, 2024
Bohol staked its claim as a major player in the tourism industry when it hosted the inaugural international conference of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on women in travel on March 20-22.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado welcomed organizers, guests, speakers and participating tourism industry stakeholders to the global forum.
He acknowledged the impact of the event in giving equal chances for women in the industry and empowering them as bearers of change in the sector.
Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco keynoted the opening of the conference with a warm welcome to the province, which she described as a source of national pride for being the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark.
Frasco thanked investors in ongoing developments in the tourism sector, as shown by its 100.08% recovery rate for the country’s international tourism revenues that amount to P482.54 billion in international visitor receipts in 2023.
She recognized the role of women in the sector, including the department’s key women leaders and tourism workers who are at the forefront of ushering a new era in tourism.
“Tourism is not only a tool for economic prosperity but also a force for promoting human dignity,” she pointed out.
Noor Ahmad Hamid, PATA CEO, expressed excitement over the holding of the conference in Bohol.
He explained that PATA strives to be a catalyst for responsible development in tourism within the Asia Pacific Region through the inaugural women in travel conference.
This he said is in recognition of the contributions of and challenges that woman face in the industry.
In 2022, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, female employees accounted for 49.4% in the tourism workforce in the Asia Pacific region, compared to 40.2% in the broader economy.
“Tourism should be a force for good,” Hamid stated as he reaffirmed PATA’s commitment to advancing the role of women in the tourism industry.
The conference covered topics on breaking barriers in the travel industry, gender equality and development, women behind the scenes, tourism startups and entrepreneurship, inspirational women in travel, and sustainable travel.
Prominent moderators and panelists included Dr. Saninuj “PONG” Sawasdikosol, DM, president of San Travel Service & Business Consultants, Woman Activist & Advocate in LGBTQ Community, San Francisco; Chieko Yokota, gender specialist of the Asian Development Bank; Maria Paz Alberto, PATA Philippine Chapter chair; Nandini Lahe Thapa, officiating CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board; and Dr. Supawan Teerarat, president of the National Food Institute, Food Industrial Development, Ministry of Thailand.
Aumentado was joined by Bohol provincial officials as well as tourism industry players who also graced the occasion.
Present were Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite; Board Members Tita Baja, Lucille Lagunay and Jamie Aumentado-Villamor, provincial administrator Asteria Caberte; lawyer Handel Lagunay, provincial legal officer; Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap and Dauis Vice Mayor Miriam Sumaylo. (PIMO/LMS)
