PHILIPPINES AND ANGOLA DISCUSS COOPERATION ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

17 March 2025, Manila – As part of the inaugural Philippines-Angola Political Consultations,  Angolan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Esmeralda Bravo Conde Da Silva Mendonça met with Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco on 17 March 2025 to discuss potential avenues for cooperation in tourism development.

During the meeting, Secretary of State Esmeralda Mendonça expressed Angola´s strong interest in the Philippines' extensive experience and expertise in tourism management, particularly its successful strategies for developing a strong tourism infrastructure and a highly skilled professional workforce.

DOT Secretary Frasco provided a brief overview of the Philippines’ current key priorities on the tourism sector and shared its innovative strategies to overcome and navigate on recent challenges faced by the tourism industry.

Secretary of State Mendonça reiterated Angola's request for support from the Philippines in technical assistance in key areas of tourism management best practices, education and professional development for the tourism workforce, and attracting tourism investments.

The Philippines expressed strong interest in sharing best practices with Angola noting that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tourism Cooperation is being reviewed.Both sides expressed optimism that the MOU will serve as a framework for implementing concrete programs and initiatives, fostering a strong and sustainable tourism partnership that benefits both Filipinos and Angolans.

Also present during the meeting were non-resident Philippine Ambassador to Angola, Paul Raymund P. Cortes, Philippine Honorary Consul in Angola, Ms. Megan Nicole Bréchet Amamou, and Angolan Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Daniel Antonio Rosa. END