Frasco re-elected UN tourism VP, chair of East Asia-Pacific Commission

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines, through Cebuana tourism chief Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, has been re-elected as Vice President of the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and as Chair of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific for the term 2025 to 2027.

Secretary Frasco expressed her gratitude to the member nations of UN Tourism for their continued confidence in the country’s leadership, while underscoring the Philippines’ commitment to a sustainable tourism development agenda.

This agenda focuses on the welfare of tourism stakeholders, the expansion of employment and livelihood opportunities, destination resilience, and creating meaningful tourist experiences, “by highlighting the culture, heritage, and identity of the peoples of our Region,” said Secretary Frasco.

“We accept this renewed mandate with humility and an even stronger resolve and commitment to regional cooperation and collaboration," Frasco added during a press briefing following the 56th Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) meeting, alongside UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Indonesian Tourism Minister Her Excellency Widyanti Putri Wardhana.

She also extended appreciation to Commission members for their support of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We thank UN Tourism for always ensuring that the Asia-Pacific region is included in your programs, whether it pertains to tourism education, innovation, as well as digitalization,” Frasco said, expressing the Philippines’ eagerness to collaborate with other countries in the region.

The Philippines was first elected to the same positions in 2023 during the 55th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific held in Cambodia.

That initial election paved the way for the successful hosting of the 36th CAP-CSA and the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum for Gastronomy Tourism, held in June 2024 in Cebu. The event gathered more than 600 delegates from over 40 countries.

The forum highlighted the culinary talents of Filipino chefs and led to the Cebu Call to Action on Gastronomy Tourism, which emphasized the Philippines’ leadership in the sector following its election as Chair of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended the Philippines for its continued leadership in regional tourism, as well as the “dynamic leadership” of both Secretary Frasco and Indonesian Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana.

Noting the similarities between the Philippines and Indonesia, Pololikashvili highlighted their aligned tourism priorities and rich island offerings.

He also recognized the Philippines’ re-election as Chair of the Commission and emphasized the importance of investing in job creation and education. He reaffirmed UN Tourism’s commitment to collaborating with the Philippines in establishing a Tourism Academy in Cebu. —/FPL (FREEMAN)