Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) held its general membership meeting and conference on Jan. 31, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

With the theme “Philippine Tourism Toward Global Competitiveness for Investment and Sustainability,” TCP hopes to strengthen its representation in sectors of Philippine tourism such as tourism accommodation enterprises; travel and tour services; land, air and sea tourist transport services; conventions; meetings; incentive travel; exhibitions and events services and facilities; tourism estate; development and management services; and other accredited tourism enterprises.

Another goal is to provide updates on the country’s opportunities and challenges on tourism with the coming of the Asean Integration in 2015.

Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, together with Domingo Ramon Enerio III, COO of Tourism Promotions board; Lorenzo Formoso, COO of Duty Free Philippines; and Mark Lapid, COO of TIEZA, gave tourism updates, plans and programs for 2013.

Grant Govertsen, co-founder and managing partner of Union Gaming Research, was the conference’s keynote speaker.  Govertsen talked about Philippine tourism toward global competitiveness for investment.

Sean Mahoney, ADB consultant on Skills Development Program for the Philippine Tourism Industry, and Jose Ma. Lorenzo “Lory” Tan, CEO/vice chair of the board of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines, brought up the Hospitality and Service Excellence for Global Competitiveness and Sustainable Tourism talks, respectively.

Former Secretary of DOT, Mina T. Gabor, and Miss Tourism International 2012 Rizzini Alexis Gomez, were also at the event.

For more information, please contact the Tourism Congress National Secretariat at tel. (632) 8122161, or e-mail [email protected].