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The first Pacific Asia Travel Association Women in Travel Conference took place in Bohol, bringing together industry pioneers to address gender inequality, celebrate achievements and outline actionable empowerment strategies.
Bangkok, Thailand – First edition PATA Women in Tourism International Conference,Depend on Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) And by Philippine Department of Tourismsummarized in BE Grand Resort In Bohol, Philippines. Nearly 200 delegates from 15 destinations attended the conference, which brought together industry leaders, policymakers and advocates to discuss the critical role of women in travel and tourism.
During the three-day event, delegates explored the challenges and opportunities facing women in the tourism industry, celebrated their achievements and addressed gender disparities. Keynote speakers, influential panelists and engaging discussions highlighted the urgent need for gender equality and empowerment in the tourism workforce, underscoring the importance of inclusion and career development for all “women in tourism”.
The meeting discussed pressing issues such as the underrepresentation of women in senior management positions. The discussion also focused on actionable steps to promote women’s leadership development, foster entrepreneurship, and promote sustainable practices for women as change agents.
The Minister of Tourism delivered a keynote speech at this important event Cristina Garcia Welcoming hundreds of speakers and delegates from the Philippines and around the world, including Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to PATA for partnering with the Philippines in organizing the first International Conference on Women in Travel. It is timely to hold this conference in the Philippines, especially in the Philippines, where more than 50% of our workforce is made up of women, and in our Asia-Pacific region, nearly 50% of the tourism industry is made up of women. We recognize the importance of this conference, which focuses on empowering women, travel professionals, promoting gender equality, and cultivating leadership stories, successes and opportunities,” Minister Frasco said.
In her keynote speech, Secretary Frasco also shared with delegates how she has been juggling official duties as a female leader and mother of four since serving as the three-term mayor of Liloan City, Cebu City during the COVID-19 pandemic. challenges faced. -19 pandemic and super typhoon Odette that hits Cebu in 2021, the current Secretary of Transportation and the youngest member of the President Ferdinand R. MarcosThe cabinet will be formed in 2022 at the invitation of the president.
“I realize that countless women must face the same challenge of juggling work and caring responsibilities, and that unfortunately many of these significant sacrifices are overlooked and undervalued,“Secretary Frasco said.
“That is why, since I joined the Department of Transport, it has been my mission to ensure that the Department’s efforts are not only focused on achieving numbers and targets, but also on ensuring the well-being of its people. Our workforce, committed to building a tourism industry, ensures we put tourism workers at the forefront of government priorities, particularly women who play a key role in shaping our tourism landscape – from our Girl Guides, Right down to our female officers. I seek to take the feminist values that have guided me as mayor: sensitivity, nurturing, humanity and love and take them to the national level to ensure that tourism becomes not just a tool for economic prosperity but a force for economic development. promote human dignity,“The person in charge of the Ministry of Transportation added.
In this direction, for the first time ever, the Department of Tourism has appointed Tourism Integration, Support and Concern for Women’s Rights and Child Safety (TourISM WoRCS) officers in various regions across the country to ensure that the Philippines “remains a safe destination” for women and children , the Tourism Workbook will soon be rolled out across the sector’s business units, providing them with the knowledge and tools to effectively combat sexual harassment, human trafficking and gender-based violence within the sector.
Additionally, to promote the unique and world-renowned Philippine hospitality industry brand and invest in the Filipino workforce, Secretary Frasco shared the achievement of the Department of Transportation’s goal of training 100,000 workers under the Philippine Brand Service Excellence (FBSE) program by 2023 . DOT exceeded this goal, training 127,125 workers on FBSE last year. Among them, 70,208 trained laborers are women, accounting for 55.2%.
“This milestone sets an extremely optimistic tone for our industry and validates our long-standing belief that women can and should be given meaningful opportunities within the travel industry“, Secretary Frasco said.
“This session was a great success due to the unwavering commitment of the Secretary of Tourism, Her Excellency Cristina Garcia Francisco, and the unwavering support of the Philippine Department of Tourism.Building on this achievement, PATA remains committed to co-hosting the PATA Women in Tourism International Conference with other member destinations in the future to ensure that the conversation about women’s empowerment continues and is elevated.”, said CEO of PATA Noor Ahmed Hamid.
He added, “As a community, we must come together to discuss practical strategies designed to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and implement industry-wide change to pave the way for women to excel in the travel industry. The association hopes the event will serve as a catalyst for impactful initiatives and collaborative efforts to create a better future for women in all aspects of the tourism industry. “
To further emphasize the importance of female leadership, Senator Loren Legarda, President Pro Tempore of the Philippine Senate, delivered the closing keynote address, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to achieve gender equality in the field.
During the conference, delegates had the opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers from diverse fields, including Senator Loren Legarda, President Pro Tempore of the Philippine Senate; Her Excellency Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism; Dear Erico Aristotle C. EnhancedGovernor of Bohol; Atty.May Elaine T. BassonUndersecretary for Legal and Special Affairs and Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary and Chairman, Gender and Development Focal Point System, Department of Tourism, Philippines; PhD.Saninuji “Pong” Savasi DikosolDM, President of San Travel Service & Business Consultants/Female activist and advocate for the LGBTQ community in San Francisco; Maria Patria Alodia PuyatGeneral Manager of Crowne Plaza Hotel Philippines; Christine Ella CastanedaDEAFInite tour; emia miasoGeneral Manager – Cambodia, Intrepid Travel; Chieko Yokotagender expert at the Gender Equality Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB); Preeti NainiGo City Asia Pacific Regional Product Manager; Chung Queeniedeputy general manager, Vipon Hong Kong; Harlemfounder of Happy Office; Linda Adami, founder and CEO of Quantum Temple; Maria Paz AlbertoChairman of PATA Philippines Chapter; nandini bay tapaDirector and CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB); PhD.Supawan ThilalaPh.D., Director of the National Food Research Institute of the Industrial Development Foundation of the Ministry of Industry of Thailand, and former Senior Vice President of the Convention and Exhibition Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand; Catherine Turvill, President of Nurture Farmacy, Nurture Wellness Village, a spa and health professional in the Philippines; Shraddha ShresthaManager, Nepal Tourism Board and National Program Coordinator, Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Restoration Programme, and Sangeeta LyanapathiranaManager – Health, Hygiene and Sustainability, Shiramon Hotels & Resorts and PATA Future Face 2023, Sri Lanka.
Topics include “Breaking Barriers: Women’s Empowerment in Travel and Tourism”, “Gender Equality and Development”, “Women Behind the Scenes”, “Travel Startups and Entrepreneurship”, “Setting the Trend: Inspiring Women in Travel and Tourism” and ” Sustainable Tourism: Women as Agents of Change.
The conference concluded with a welcome dinner hosted by the Philippine Tourism Promotion Authority, which provided an opportunity for delegates to network and continue discussions on working together to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the travel and tourism industry.
On the last day of the event, delegates had the option of participating in two different technical tours arranged by the Philippine Department of Tourism:
- South Bohol Tour, in which participants explore the wonders of South Bohol, including a visit to Santa Monica Parish Church in Albuquerque, experience the making of Bohol’s popular delicacy “Calamay”, and participate in various activities at the Bohol Bee Farm;
- Bohol Countryside Tour, delegates spent a relaxing trip in the Bohol countryside, exploring the geological wonders of the Chocolate Hills and rafting along the Loboc River on a tranquil boat ride.
Theodore is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Global Travel News media network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for Global Travel News’ long-term opportunities.
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