Cover Department of Tourism (DOT) holds its first Pride Summit (Photo: DOT)
Department of Tourism (DOT) holds its first Pride Summit (Photo: DOT)
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With the effort to help position the country as “one of Asia’s most queer-friendly” spaces, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco led the launch of the agency’s first-ever Pride Summit
Hundreds of public and private sector stakeholders, including representatives from tourism associations, LGBTQIA+ groups, and the academe, convened last September 28 to launch the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) first-ever Pride Summit. The recent move, titled ‘‘Weaving an Inclusive Tourism Industry’’, led by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco seeks to foster and promote diversity in the country’s tourism sector.
Frasco disclosed that in the coming days, the agency also intends to highlight the unique experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and explore how DOT with its partners can further encourage an inclusive atmosphere for all tourists.
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Among the keynote speakers are DOT undersecretary and chief-of-staff Mae Elaine Bathan, chairperson of the department’s gender and development focal point system, undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, OIC-undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, assistant secretary Gisella Quisumbing, and regional and central office directors.
The summit’s panel discussions, on the other hand, featured insights from PFIP board secretary Ronil Villacorta, University of the Philippines-Diliman Asian Institute of Tourism (AIM) assistant professor Rielle Alcantara-Castro, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) gender and development specialist II Regine Carmelli F Reyes, Cebu Lady Lawyers Association president Atty. Regal Oliva, Cygnal travel owner Girly Gravador, and fourth district representative Christopher de Venecia of the fourth district of Pangasinan.
‘‘This is the very first Pride Summit for our country. [This] signifies our shared goal towards inclusivity, diversity, and equality in this new era for tourism in the Philippines,’’ said Frasco.
‘‘Tourism has been the force for good that has become the strongest pillar for the economic recovery of our country; so vast has the contribution of tourism been across our islands that our national economic managers have attested that the first half of this year, tourism is the highest economic driver,’’ she added.
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Frasco, who has also pledged her PHP500,000 personal donation to support PFIP’s educational scholarships for less privileged students, shares that she is excited to witness what’s in store with her department’s partnership with PFIP.
“And so, you have my full unequivocal support, and I am very eager to partner with PFIP and with all of you to ensure that we accomplish our goal of making the Philippines one of the most [LGBT-friendly] places in Asia, and I am sincerely hopeful for your support for our effort to give our fellow Filipinos and the rest of the world all the reasons to love the Philippines.”
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
