The Philippines and Thailand have signed a five-year tourism agreement aimed at driving mutual growth in both nations’ tourism sectors.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong signed the Implementation Program of the Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism in Malaysia, according to the Department of Tourism in news release Monday.

The deal follows the longstanding partnership established by the original Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism signed on March 24, 1993 in Manila.

Frasco said the country could tap into Thailand’s success in attracting visitors for cultural tourism and medical tourism.

“In return, Thailand stands to gain from the Philippine expertise in hospitality, where we have earned a reputation for excellence,” she said.

“Additionally, the Philippines is a premier destination for dive tourism —home to some of the world’s biodiverse marine ecosystems— and for English language tourism, where our world-class language schools attract students from all over the globe.”

Thienthong said he is looking forward to working with the Philippines in exchanging knowledge and technology.

The program, which will be effective from 2025 to 2030, focuses on tourism cooperation, exchange of best practices, human resource development and joint tourism promotions and marketing.

Proposed deal with Malaysia

Meanwhile, Frasco proposed a similar cooperation with Malaysia during her bilateral meeting with Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025.

“We are proximate in our locations, therefore providing enormous opportunities for increased tourism flows. We seek to exchange information and best practices with Malaysia, especially on the aspects of product and market development and tourism promotions,” she said.

Frasco told Sing that the proposed agreement would focus on the promotion of sustainable tourism and commitment to practices that ensure environmental and social sustainability.

She touted the development of Muslim-friendly and Halal tourism in the Philippines by developing infrastructure, facilities, products, and services that align with these concepts.

“Our President [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] has accelerated public-private partnerships in the country, invested heavily in airport tourism infrastructure, and passed legislation to make tourism investments more attractive as far as corporate income recovery is concerned,” she said. (PNA)