In President Bongbong Marcos' 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), he emphasized the tourism sector as a key pillar for economic growth and recovery. His focus was on improving infrastructure, enhancing the country's global connectivity, and promoting sustainable tourism. The overarching theme was creating a resilient, modernized tourism sector that can compete globally while preserving the Philippines' natural and cultural heritage.

In line with this, for the first time in the Chamber's history, we are organizing the AmCham Tourism Summit in 2024, with the theme, "Elevating Philippine Tourism and Infrastructure for Global Competitiveness."

This Summit is set to bring together key stakeholders from the tourism industry, government officials, and international partners to discuss the latest trends, opportunities, and strategic directions for the Philippines' tourism sector. As the industry rebounds from the pandemic, join us on November 13, 2024, at the Sheraton Manila, Newport Pasay, in harnessing collective insights to propel the Philippines to new heights as a premier travel destination.

PROGRAM:

AM Tourism Session: Modernization of the Philippine Tourism for Global Competitiveness

Keynote:

Roberto P. Alabado III (Invited)

Director, Office of the Secretary and OIC-Director for Regional Office IV-B

Panelists:

Medical Tourism:

Director Paulo Benito Tugbang

DOT Office of Product and Market Development (OPMD)

Sustainable Tourism:

Susan Santos de Cardenas

President, Society for Sustainable Tourism & Dev. Inc.

Travelers Security:

Johann Ang

Vice President for Philippines & Head of Manila Site for International SOS Philippines at International SOS (Philippines), Inc.

Urban Tourism Hubs:

Dr. Ramon Benedicto Alampay

Urban Connect Tourism Value Chain Consultant

Moderated by: Maria Cherry Lyn Rodolfo, Lead Convenor, Safe Travel Alliance

PM Infrastructure Session: Boosting Tourism through Efficient and Effective Infrastructure Initiatives

Keynote:

Usec. Cynthia Hernandez Executive Director

Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC)

Panelists:

Rosella "Seya" Belmonte

Director, Head - Technical Services & Sustainability

Fort Bonifacio Development Corp.

Tim Hallett

Director of Business Development - Philippines

Absolute Hotel Services

Maricris Aldover-Ysmael

VP for Investor Relations, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) (new photo uploaded)

Moderated by:

Atty. Arnel Casanova Co-Chair, Infrastructure and Logistics Committee AmCham Philippines

Jun Fuentebella, General Manager, AGC Development Corporation