18 countries to attend World Congress on ‘Most Beautiful Bays’ in Puerto Galera

(Photo from Puerto Galera website)

MANILA—Representatives from around 18 countries have indicated their interest to participate in the forthcoming 11th World Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World which will be held in Puerto Galera next month.

President and founder of Puerto Galera Most Beautiful Bay Inc. Hubert d’Aboville said that this is the most number of countries which have confirmed attendance to date.

“Never have we seen many countries represented last was Korea with 14 countries,” d’Aboville said in a press conference.

The 10th edition was held in and hosted by Yeosu City, South Korea last Oct. 16 to 20, 2014 wherein 14 countries attended.

d’Aboville pointed out that the congress is set to be a venue to discuss how member countries can adapt to climate change and at the same time, promote the Philippines as a quality tourist destination.

“This is a very good way to promote our country, our bay. Once you bring a congress to wherever you are, journalists around the world will write about it,” d’Aboville said.

“Here, we will showcase eco-tourism,” he added.

Puerto Galera received recognition as part of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2005.

d’Aboville, however, said that there should be more Philippine bays accredited in Most Beautiful Bays such as the Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palawan.

Palawan, however, already has its own claim to fame as home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River or Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Philippines’ hosting of the 11th World Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World is slated on Feb. 1 to 6 and will be among the major events under the Visit the Philippines Again 2016 campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT).