The Philippines and Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday signed an agreement to enhance and promote mutual cooperation for both countries’ tourism industries.
The agreement outlines several areas where the Philippines and Brunei will collaborate, subject to their respective laws, rules, regulations and national policies.
These include promotion of Muslim friendly and Halal tourism, exchange of experiences, manpower training, tour package development, medical and health tourism, investment in tourism, community-based and eco-tourism, business tourism, information exchange; standardization and certification, exchange and IT development, gender and development programs and airline cooperation.
“This comprehensive agreement sets the stage for a dynamic partnership between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, poised to bring about significant advancements in tourism for both nations especially that it includes collaborations to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, medical and wellness tourism, MICE tourism and increase in tourism investments,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
“The collaboration is expected to enhance the overall tourist experience, strengthen economic ties, and contribute to the sustainable development of the tourism industry in both countries,” Frasco said.
Key objectives of the agreement include increasing tourist arrivals and encouraging a wider distribution of visitors to the various tourist destinations and attractions in each other.
Visitor arrivals from Brunei in the Philippines reached 6,639 in 2023, which majority of tourists visiting for leisure travel or vacation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the agreement, marking a crucial milestone in fostering closer ties and collaboration between the two Southeast Asian countries.
“As mentioned in my State of the Nation Address last year, tourism continues to be an important economic engine of our growth, employing at least five million of our kababayans. Through this MOU, we hope to entice and attract Bruneian tourists to explore the Philippines,” the President said during the agreement signing.
“These are also among the key priorities born from the success convening of the 3rd Philippines-Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation which was held last August. I am confident that our partnership with Brunei in these important sectors will further boost our political, economic, and people-to-people ties,” he said.
