Cebu seeks to strengthen economic ties with East Asian regions through tourism cooperation, improved connectivity, and investment opportunities as it hosts the 19th East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF) General Assembly.
This comes as Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province intends to use the international gathering to showcase Cebu while pursuing discussions that could expand opportunities beyond visitor arrivals.
‘We’re showcasing Cebu in the international scene so let’s do it,’ Baricuatro told the media during the opening of the assembly on Wednesday, September 2, at the Mactan Expo Cebu in Lapu-Lapu City.
Among the priorities she wants to raise during the gathering is air connectivity, particularly the establishment of direct flights between Cebu and participating EATOF regions.
‘We would like to discuss about connectivity no, importante unta nga naay direct flights from their end to our end – that’s something that i would want to talk about,’ she said.
Baricuatro also pointed to investment as another area where Cebu could strengthen its ties with other EATOF members, saying the province is ready to welcome businesses interested in expanding into Cebu.
‘Of course investments no as what I said during SOPA, Cebu is open for business so we’ll welcome investors in Cebu so that’s something I want to discuss also,’ she said.
The governor said stronger cooperation and connectivity could also contribute to the province’s tourism sector.
The 19th EATOF General Assembly formally opened yesterday, bringing together governors, heads of delegation, tourism officials, and other stakeholders from member regions across East Asia.
Represented at the gathering are Cebu Province in the Philippines, Gangwon State in South Korea, Tottori Prefecture in Japan, Jilin Province in China, Töv Province in Mongolia, Sarawak in Malaysia, Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam, Luang Prabang Province in Laos, and Siem Reap Province in Cambodia.
In her opening speech, Baricuatro said the participating regions share a common view that tourism can serve as a vehicle not only for travel but also for friendship, economic opportunity, cultural understanding, and sustainable development.
She said the changing tourism landscape, including demands for more meaningful experiences and greater community benefits, as well as challenges involving climate change, environmental pressures, connectivity, and rapid development, make regional cooperation more important.
‘These challenges remind us that we cannot build the future of tourism alone,’ Baricuatro said.
Through EATOF, she said member regions have a platform to exchange solutions, develop partnerships, and pursue initiatives that could benefit their respective communities.
For Cebu, Baricuatro identified tourism and cultural exchanges, sports tourism, connectivity, investment, sustainable destination development, and people-to-people exchanges as areas where stronger cooperation could be pursued.
She also expressed hope that the assembly would go beyond resolutions and agreements and result in concrete programs, exchanges, investments, and opportunities for the people of the participating regions.
‘We invite you to experience Cebu, but more importantly, we invite you to connect with Cebu,’ Baricuatro told the delegates.
Vice Governor Glenn Soco, in his congratulatory remarks, described the gathering as a significant opportunity for East Asian regions to strengthen their ties, noting that 10 regions were coming together for the assembly.
Soco said Cebu should be viewed not merely as a destination but as a gateway connecting East Asia through its airport, ports, and people.
‘We’ve always believed something about Cebu. That we’re not just a place people visit. We’re a gateway. A gateway for East Asia. Our airport connects. Our ports connect. Our people connect,’ Soco said.
He added that the discussions would cover not only tourism but also business and other forms of cooperation, emphasizing that tourism should ultimately translate into jobs, livelihoods, and opportunities for communities across Cebu.
Gangwon State Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Shin Weon-Chul likewise congratulated Cebu for hosting the 2026 assembly and thanked the province for its welcome and hospitality.
Gangwon State has played a key role in EATOF since its establishment in 2000 and serves as the federation’s chair and secretariat.