MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of India recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and India in the areas of tourism, trade, and hospitality sector.

Signing the document were DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Ambassador of India to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar.

The MOU will pave the way for the increase in engagement between the two nations on economic and cultural ties, focusing on the tourism sector as a driver of economic development and employment generation.

“We look forward to fostering a healthier relationship with our Indian counterparts through this sharing of ideas, best practices and our advocacy of sustainable tourism,” Romulo-Puyat said Wednesday.

According to the DOT, the five-year MOU will encourage mutual visits, exchange of promotion, marketing, destination development and management experiences; exchange of official standards and certification practices; development of tour packages; and, closer cooperation between the respective public and private sectors, among others.

Other areas of cooperation being eyed are research, statistical exchange and training.

The agency said India remains the 11th top source market of the country with 91,690 arrivals from January to August 2019, registering a 9.66 percent growth rate over the same period last year.

Mazumdar earlier praised the country’s beaches and service industry, noting that “people from India whenever they come here, they say that they feel welcome and at home.” (PNA)