PH re-elected UN tourism general assembly vice president

The Philippines has secured its re-election as Vice President of the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations Tourism and as Chair of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) for the term 2025 to 2027, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Tuesday evening.

The re-election was confirmed during the 56th Meeting of the UN Tourism CAP in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed gratitude to member states for their continued support.

“We are eager to work together with our fellow countries in this region to ensure that we arise to the fullest potential of tourism, while at the same time sustaining the longevity of our destinations for generations to come,” Frasco said during the press conference on the sidelines of the event.

The Philippines had previously held both roles following its election at the 55th CAP meeting in Cambodia in 2023. Its re-election signals strong regional support for Manila’s leadership in global tourism policy and diplomacy.

The DOT said the reelection aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote global tourism cooperation and highlight the Philippines' role as a leader in sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

In 2024, the Philippines hosted the 36th CAP meeting and the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Cebu, drawing over 600 delegates from more than 40 countries—a milestone that underscored the country’s capacity to lead regional tourism dialogues.

Other countries involved in the CAP committee’s new structure include Japan and Fiji as vice chair candidates, while Laos has been nominated to the Credentials Committee. South Korea is vying for a seat in the Committee on Tourism Online Education.

Frasco said the Philippines' tourism agenda mirrors UN Tourism’s strategic focus, especially in promoting innovation, digital transformation, and education in tourism.

“In the Philippines, our focus is on developing quality tourism—empowering stakeholders so they benefit from the economic and cultural activities brought by tourism,” she noted.

UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili commended the Philippines for its leadership, particularly in organizing key events last year. He reaffirmed UN Tourism’s commitment to support the country’s development goals, including the establishment of a Tourism Academy in Cebu.

The Philippines’ extended role within UN Tourism is expected to further strengthen the country’s influence in shaping tourism policies across the Asia-Pacific and global stage.