Philippine Secretary of Tourism Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (fifth from right) pose with other ASEAN Tourism Ministers during the 23rd ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting at the Empire Hotel, Jerudong
Bandar Seri Begawan, 28 January 2019 – Philippine Secretary of Tourism Bernadette Fatima Romulo-Puyat led a delegation of Philippine tourism officials and tourism industry practitioners at the recently concluded 39th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) hosted by Brunei Darussalam at the Empire Hotel and Country Club from 12 to 16 January 2020.
Under the theme “ASEAN – Together Towards the Next Generation of Travel”, the meeting was chaired by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Brunei’s Minister for Primary Resources and Tourism.
During the meeting, Secretary Puyat-Romulo highlighted the initiatives of the Philippine government in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism, and in developing tourism products that supports local communities.
In conjunction with the official meetings, a three-day tourism exposition (TRAVEX) was held from 14 to 16 January 2020. The Philippine Pavilion at the TRAVEX was the biggest among the ASEAN member-countries that mounted country booths. Inspired by the bahay kubo, and a feel of the “Its More Fun in the Philippines” experience, guests at the Philippine Pavilion were served barako coffee, Philippine pili nuts and dried mangoes while they discuss Philippine tourism products and packages from seventeen (17) Philippine exhibitors comprising of top managers of hotels, resorts, and travel agencies.
The Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board hosted a lunch for more than 300 TRAVEX delegates, highlighted by a cultural performance from the Philippine-based “Sindaw Philippines” and “La Lira Filipina”. The lunch menu featured Philippine cuisine – adobo, kare-kare, kinilaw and pancit.
The ATF is a co-operative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as a tourist destination. It is a platform for the region's Tourism Ministers, government officials and travel industry players to come together and discuss ways to grow and enhance tourism opportunities. The annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors from the 10 ASEAN member nations and this year marks the event's 39th anniversary. END
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (center), Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (left) and DOT Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. at the start of the 23rd ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting.
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is greeted by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, during the royal audience at the Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (seated 2nd from left) and DOT Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. (seated at center) with officials of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and PH private sector delegates at the Philippine Pavilion during the TRAVEX held at Bridex Hall in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (fifth from left) and the Philippine delegation pose for a group photo with Ambassador Christopher B. Montero and Atty. Maria Lourdes Montero during a lunch hosted by the Ambassador at his Official Residence 