Event: EPBN Tourism Forum - INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DAY
Date: 27 September 2017 | Wednesday | 9 AM – 1 PM
Venue: Dusit Thani
Participants:100 - 150
Goal of the event:
This forum will highlight the most recent and material developments in the Philippine tourism industry. Focusing on emerging opportunities and taking note of the current challenges in the sector, the event seeks to show European investors, the attractiveness and accessibility of the market. The desired end and result is to promote EPBN’s goal of increasing the presence of European SMEs in the country.
Description of the event:
The event will feature speakers who are in the travel and trade industry. A moderator will facilitate the discussion.
The following topics will be discussed in the three different panels:
●The Government Tourism Plan 2017 to 2022
Speaker:
Alma Rita Jimenez – Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination & Resource Generation, Department of Tourism
(Confirmed)
15 minutes speaking time
➢Presentation on the Government’s new tourism plan
➢Highlight the various programs and destinations
➢Present tourist arrival targets
➢What are the most important initiatives of the Duterte administration?
➢What are the new opportunities in the tourism industry open to foreign investors?
●Theme destinations in the Philippines
Speaker:
Rosanna Tuason – Fores - President of the Tourism Congress Philippines
(Confirmed)
15 minutes speaking time
➢Highlight the Philippines as a tourist destination focusing on product, infrastructure/accessibility, and security
➢Constitutional amendment allow foreign ownership of land (to increase development of tourism properties)
➢What is great about the Philippines? What has to be improved?
Aileen Clemente – Chairman & President of Rajah Travel Corp.
(Confirmed)
15 minutes speaking time
➢Highlight 2 or 3 clusters that are theme destinations for tourists that enjoy particular sights or activities
➢Possible themes: diving ( Mindoro, Cebu, Batangas, Palawan), hiking or mountain climbing ( Sagada, Banaue, Galera);history (Vigan, Cebu, Manila, Taal); surfing (La union, Baler, Siargao), food tripping (Pampanga, Manila)
➢What is great about these destinations? What has to be improved?
●Disruption and opportunity in the Tourism industry
Speakers:
Focus on Airline
Paul Schenk – General Manager of Lufthansa German Airlines
(Confirmed)
15 minutes speaking time
Erha n Balaban – General Manager of Turkish Airlines
(Confirmed)
15 minutes speaking time
➢The topic will focus on 2 or 3 things that are disrupting the tourism / airline industry; or things that wish would disrupt the tourism / airline industry
➢The idea is to highlight opportunity for players to disrupt the airline industry and improve service levels to tourists at the same time.
➢Disruptions or opportunities for discussion:
- Using technology to enhance the tourist experience ( uber, grab, similar types of unbundled services in the provincial destinations)
- New platform to help travelling easier ( citymapper, duolingo, XE currency, splittr, live trekker, etc )
Focus on Hospitality Industry
Thomas Kerschbaumer – Director of Rooms at Sofitel Philippines
(Confirmed)
15 minutes speaking time
➢The topic will focus on 2 or 3 things that are disrupting the tourism / hospitality industry; or things that wish would disrupt the tourism / hospitality industry
➢The idea is to highlight opportunity for save players to disrupt the hospitality industry and improve service levels to tourists at the same time.
➢Disruptions or opportunities for discussion:
- Air bnb and impact on room availability
- New platform to help travelling easier ( citymapper, duolingo, XE currency, splittr, live trekker, etc )