EATOF eyes no-visa policy, $5T aid for host province

GOVERNORS and representatives of 10 Asian countries agreed to pursue proposals aimed at improving tourism and trade during the 11th East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum  (Eatof) at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Cebu was ready to face the challenges through concrete steps, positive possibilities and definite milestones.

“Cebu is proud to host Eatof. We are proud to be a venue of partnerships and to make tourism work for the improvement of lives,” Garcia said.

The Eatof members, including Governor Garcia, signed a joint declaration agreeing to pursue proposals and policies, which include the no-visa policy or fast-tracking of visa checks among Eatof members, the provision of $5,000 financial support   to the host province as destination of the year through the Eatof operating fund.

The Eatof members also agreed to provide allowances for festival officials by the Eatof secretariat and the Gangwon province.

The joint declaration also stated that there would be a trade and investment forum held in every general assembly of the Eatof.

Eatof is an international forum held annually by members to discuss academic and government concerns in promoting partnerships for  developing tourism, trade and culture.

The members are Cebu, Philippines; Jilin, China; Gangwon, Korea; Sarawak, Malaysia; Yogyogarta, Indonesia; Tottori, Japan; Tuv-Mongolia; Primovsky-Russia; Chiang Mai, Thailand and Quang Ninh, Vietnam. /Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rossell