MANILA — The Philippines and Qatar have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at bolstering their ties in tourism and business events.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, sealed the agreement in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at Manila’s Malacañang Palace.
The signing, which took place during Qatar Amir’s state visit, marks a significant step toward enhancing collaboration between the two nations.
Frasco hailed the MOU as a gateway to abundant growth opportunities, emphasizing the shared commitment to showcasing the richness of Filipino culture, heritage, and identity to the world. The agreement underscores efforts to boost tourist arrivals in both countries.
Moreover, it outlines plans to stimulate tourism investments, facilitate media and tourism expert familiarization visits, and enhance the skills of tourism operators, employees, and specialists through targeted seminars and training programs.
Recent data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) indicates a notable influx of visitors from Qatar, with 10,438 arrivals recorded in 2023 and 3,784 from January to April 2024.
In the realm of business events, the MOU sets forth strategies to promote exhibitions and conferences that appeal to tourists, foster collaboration among relevant organizing agencies, and facilitate knowledge exchange in event management. A joint working team will be established to oversee the implementation of the agreement’s provisions and evaluate its progress.
Frasco highlighted the DOT’s efforts to enhance Muslim-friendly and halal tourism offerings, a move that aligns with the country’s recognition as the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023.
With the MOU paving the way for deeper cooperation, both the Philippines and Qatar are poised to unlock new avenues for mutual growth and prosperity in the tourism sector.
(el Amigo/MNM)
