THE Department of Tourism (DoT) said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar State Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi to expand two-way tourism as well as conferences targeted at both countries’ business communities.
“Fortifying tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Qatar by way of the signing of this memorandum of cooperation forges a stronger partnership for increased tourism exchanges between our nations,” Tourism Sec-retary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said in a statement Monday.
“With this significant step forward, we unlock the opportunities for growth as we explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly on the aspect of tourism and business events,” she added.
The MoU was among the almost a dozen agreements signed during Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s official visit to Manila.
Under the agreement, the Philippines and Qatar will encourage two-way tourism by creating favorable conditions for visitor movement and communications.
Both countries pledged to encourage tourism investment, the exchange of expertise, statistics, and best practices, familiarization visits for media and tourism experts, and the development of tourism worker skills.
The two countries also agreed to stage exhibitions and conferences for business visitors.
“A joint working team between the Philippines and Qatar will be formed to undertake and set up the work program, execution, follow-up, and evaluation of the activities in line with the implementation of the provisions of the agreement,” the DoT said.
For 2023, the Philippines received 10,438 visitors from Qatar. — Justine Irish D. Tabile