Tourism
PHL-France strengthening
tourism cooperation
French Ministry of Europe
and Foreign Affairs, Head
of Tourism Promotion
Department Clément
Laloux (left) together with
DOT Undersecretary
Bengzon
Credits: tourism.gov.ph
T
he Philippines strengthened its tourism partnership with
France through the signing of the summary record of
discussion during the 1st Philippines-France Joint Working
Group Meeting.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary for
Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr. signed on behalf
of the country while the French Ministry of Europe and
Foreign Affairs, Head of Tourism Promotion Department
Clément Laloux represented the French delegation.
"Our meeting aims to discuss the plans and developments of the
agreement to recommend programs, projects, and activities for the
development of tourism cooperation between our two countries… As
we are gathered here, may we continue to help each other to build and
promote our respective countries," Undersecretary Bengzon said.
The inaugural joint working group meeting between the two nations
commenced following the signing of the agreement on tourism
cooperation in Manila last February 2015.
"We are very happy to be here for this first joint committee on tourism.
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I think we both worked very actively to increase the number of tourists
coming to the Philippines and coming to France. I'm sure that the French
expertise of the French companies that are part of the delegation will take
part in this development," Laloux said.
Leading the Embassy of France in Manila delegation are His Excellency
Nicolas Galey, French Ambassador to the Philippines and Micronesia,
Deputy Head of Mission Christine Carole, Political Counsellor Quentin
Biehler, Economic Counsellor Laurent Estrade, and Counsellor Camille
Chabe.
Representing other French government organizations include Ministry
for Europe and Foreign Affairs International Development Officer Maud
Hainry and Atout Franc Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Regional Director Morad Tayebi.
The French private sector was well represented by Aéroport de Paris
Ingénierie Aviation Marketing Director Guillaume Arrigoni, Pomo
Asia Sales Manager Benjamin Fauchier Delavigne, Club Med Regional
Development Manager – East and South Asia and Pacific Sébastian Favre,
PayinTech Country Manager – Philippines Brian Tessier, and Paris–Manila