STORY: 1st UN regional forum on food tourism for Asia-Pacific kicks off in Philippines
SHOOTING DATE: June 26, 2024
DATELINE: June 27, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:42
LOCATION: Manila
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the forum
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JUNARD CHAN, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHRISTINA FRASCO, Philippine Tourism Secretary
4. various of the forum
5. various of the forum

STORYLINE:

The First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific kicked off on Wednesday in the central Philippine city of Lapu-Lapu.
   
The event, jointly organized by the UN Tourism, the Basque Culinary Center and the Philippine government, has gathered more than 500 participants from around the world.
   
Secretary General of the UN Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the importance of gastronomy in tourism in his speech, saying the forum serves as a platform for participants to share their ideas.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JUNARD CHAN, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor 
"Gastronomy provides an opportunity to revitalize and diversify tourism and in return promote the local economy. Gastronomy therefore contributes to the promotion and branding of tourist destinations. It likewise helps maintain local traditions as well as preserve its authenticity."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHRISTINA FRASCO, Philippine Tourism Secretary
"Food tourism is, of course, a growing and dynamic sector, offering enormous potential for economic growth and advancing cultural exchange among nations. This forum is an opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration and explore innovative ways to enhance and promote the gastronomy offerings of our individual nations."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Manila.
(XHTV)