BAGUIO CITY — Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo on Sunday underscored the significant role of the Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga in sustainable development and its contribution in meeting the country’s tourism target.
Teo was the guest speaker during the float parade program of the 23rd celebration of Panagbenga Festival at Melvin Jones grandstand here.
“Panagbenga continues to draw numerous local and foreign tourists, as one of the country’s biggest, most visited and longest-standing festivals,” Teo said.
She said (Panagbenga) is the only Philippine festival registered with the International Festivals and Events Association and has made a significant achievement on the tourism targets of the Duterte administration.
The 23rd Panagbenga Festival with “A celebration of culture and creativity” as the theme is being celebrated at a time when the City of Baguio prides itself on its designation as the newest member of the UNESCO’s Creative City Network.
It is the first and currently the only city in our country recognized as such which is an essential and strategic driver for sustainable development in regard to economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects, the tourism official said.
“Now that Baguio is officially a UNESCO Creative City, in the eyes of the entire world, we all stand proud and committed to the adoption of sustainable urban development through creativity,” Teo said.
The senior tourism official said tourist arrivals in the country has reached an all-time high record this January, eclipsing last year’s figure of 15.97 percent with more than 700,000 foreign visitors in the country.
Teo said that tourism is among the top contributors to the country’s gross domestic product. “We are certain that the figures will continue to soar, a clear indication that tourism is indeed alive and vigorous in the Philippines.”
The Tourism chief further said that DOT takes pride and is deeply honored to have worked with the city government of Baguio as well as the different stakeholders — academe, government line agencies and civic organizations in pursuing the city’s application to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
“Aside from boosting the local and national economy through tourism, the Panagbenga is also a fitting event for all of us to be appreciative of our indigenous cultures and to rediscover our ethnic roots and traditions as essential for us to advance being a cohesive Filipino nation,” the Secretary added.
She likewise underscored the city government and various partners for the success of the “REV-BLOOM” campaign which is for sustainable and responsible tourism.
“It is to rev up, revive, revisit and revitalize the City through the implementation of projects that would ignite the re-blooming of Baguio into a sustainable Mountain Resort City, a place where vacationing is a pleasant and unforgettable experience,” Teo emphasized.
Teo explained that “the campaign is anchored on preserving nature and culture, with the DOT leading the advocacies for social enterprise.” (Primo Agatep/PNA)
