Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Children to benefit from tourism forum as well
THE Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) would not only be about business and moneymaking ventures.
ATF this year starts their "Toursim with a Heart" project where children are beneficiaries instead of victims of tourism.
In the past, children had been identified as "tourism's hardest hit victims because of child prostitution, pedophilia, and other vices in the hospitality industry."
For this, Tourism undersecretary Oscar Palabyab said, there is a compelling need to review the mission and vision of ATF.
"As a major dollar earner and economic booster in developing countries such as Asean, the ill-effects of tourism must be acknowledged fully. And for tourism to prosper, its environment and stakeholders must be consciously safeguarded and constantly protected," Palabyab said in a statement.
He said ATF 2006 would be a start for carrying out their "Tourism with a Heart" campaign that aims to build the dreams of the children of the Asean.
"The Asean dream responds to the negative effects of tourism and takes a firm stand in protecting and supporting the children who are the future change agents and movers of our countries," Palabyab said.
ATF's Davao Host Council created Just 4 Kidz! Program committee to identify and determine the project's beneficiary organizations.
TTG Asia, Travel Weekly and TTR Weekly are supporting the project as advocacy partners.
Palabyab said the project would benefit special children, orphans, and street children of Mindanao.
"These children are among the 'many faces of Asean'," Palabyab said referring to the theme of ATF 2006. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (January 18, 2006 issue)
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