The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on Friday signed a landmark agreement to expand opportunities for tourism development between the two countries.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the memorandum of cooperation with Japan would strengthen and expand bilateral relations on tourism.
“This shall also usher in further tourism development in the fields of sustainability, air and sea connectivity, education, human capital development, culture, gastronomy, nature and adventure, which shall increase tourism revenues for our stakeholders, usher in more tourism investments and create more jobs for our fellow Filipinos,” she said.
Frasco and MLIT Minister Tetsuo Saito signed the memorandum of cooperation for tourism on Nov. 3, 2023 during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s official visit to the Philippines.
The agreement opens channels for both countries to increase tourist arrivals; entices more tourists to visit various tourist destinations and attractions, including rural areas in each country; encourage mutual visits and traffic of high-value-added travelers to increase tourism consumption; and fosters healthy growth of tourism industry of Philippines and Japan especially on the aspects of education, culture, gastronomy sustainable tourism and adventure.
Japan is considered as one of the Philippines’ top sources of visitors, ranking third as of Nov. 2, 2023 with nearly a quarter of a million arrivals into the Philippines.
Both countries agreed to engage in the exchange of information on matters related to the industry; education and training; ensure means of mutual traffic through the enhancement of air and sea connectivity and joint promotional programs; and enhance transport connectivity to sustain people-to-people exchange and the influx of travelers.
The Philippines and Japan also agreed to cooperate in ensuring safety among tourists. A joint working group composed of senior officials from the DOT and MLITT will be convened for the proper implementation of the MOC which will run for five years, with an option for renewal.
