By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
BORACAY — The Department of Tourism (DOT) here is optimistic of this island resort’s chances of hosting the ministerial meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meet next year.
DOT–Boracay officer-in-charge Artemio Ticar said officials of the APEC National Organizing Council (NOC) were here recently for a two-day inspection of possible venues.
Ticar said the officials led by Ambassador Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina, APEC’s deputy director-general for conference services, checked the facilities and amenities of hotels and resorts.
“Kahit may habagat, naging successful muli ang inspection ng APEC-NOC,” he said.
Ticar said Boracay had not yet been given a go-signal, but “I believe the island has a 90-percent chance of hosting the ministerial meetings.”
He said he could think of many reasons for the APEC meetings to be held in Boracay.
Ticar said the island has a multitude of world-class hotels and restaurants, and is very accessible to the international delegation via the Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo town and the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (Caticlan airport) in Malay.
“We are strong in these aspects compared to other proposed meeting sites,” he said. “Naghahanda ang bawat government agency dito, lalong-lalo na ang munisipyo ng Malay dahil sila ang focal agency pagdating sa preparations sa itong APEC.”
The APEC Meet is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
APEC is composed of 21 member economies: Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, Canada, Japan, United States, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, Chile, Peru, Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Russia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
Established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional economic blocs, APEC works toward a higher standard of living and higher education levels through sustainable economic growth. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
