CALABARZON tourism forum on Visit the Philippines Years 2015 set for Friday

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MANILA — Various provincial tourism officers from CALABARZON will gather during a whole-day forum on Friday to discuss the latest trends in tourism and at the same time launch Visit the Philippines Year 2015 (VPY2015) in the region.

VPY is the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) newest campaign aimed at strengthening the country’s brand image to help meet its target of acquiring 10-million tourists by the end of the Aquino administration.

The CALABARZON region is composed of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

The forum, which will be staged at the Queen Margarette Hotel in Lucena City, Quezon, will convene local government units (LGUs), stakeholders and other partners to synchronize actions towards the growth of tourism in the region.

Among topics to be discussed, aside from VPY2015, are ASEAN Integration and the accreditation and strengthening partnership of both the public and private sectors.

DOT Assistant Secretary Rolando Canizal will be among the special guests attending the forum to discuss opportunities and challenges under the ASEAN integration.

Meanwhile, DOT Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Arturo Boncato Jr. will also be there to discuss local integration to strengthen institutional partnership.

Around 10 mayors will also be attending the forum, namely Reynaldo B. Aguinaldo of Kawit, Cavite; Milbert D.

Oliveroz of Cavinti, Laguna; Ericson J. Sulibit of Liliw, Laguna; Victorino C. Rodillas of Majayjay, Laguna; Rosario M. Apacible of Nasugbu, Batangas; Alandy Mesa of Alabat, Quezon; Renato Alilio of Dolores, Quezon; Fernando Llamas of Mauban, Quezon; Roger A. Panganiban of Padre Burgos, Quezon; and Erick Wagan of San Antonio, Quezon.