Frasco hails team behind ATF 2026

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco revealed that the rest of the ministers and their delegations praised the Philippines for hosting the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), as well as the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, particularly enjoying the country’s delicacies, including those from the province of Cebu.

“We are very happy with the positive feedback from the ministers about the hosting by the Philippines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 and the experience that they have had here in Cebu,” said Frasco in a media interview during the culmination of the ATF on Friday at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu City.

“We are glad that, as they say, they loved the food and they are happy with the warm hospitality that Filipinos showed them,” she added.

Furthermore, Frasco stated that the ASEAN delegates also commended the tourism sites and quality accommodations provided to them.

“I also have to mention that we are very grateful to the ASEAN national organizing committee, our First Lady and our President, and the ASEAN secretariat, because of the efficient execution and running of the meetings,” she said.

In her speech at the culmination, Frasco expressed her gratitude to the people of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines, as well as local government units, tourism frontliners, volunteers, organizers, and working committees, crediting them for delivering ATF 2026 with both professionalism and heart.

She also thanked ASEAN Member States, dialogue partners, private sector partners, and the media for their continued support.

The ATF 2026 Closing Ceremony featured a “Pasigarbo sa Sugbu” cultural presentation highlighting the Rosquillos, Palawud and Sinulog festivals.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival delivered the welcome remarks, followed by a suite of performances from Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Acapellago, Huni Mandawe and Christian Bautista.

The closing ceremony concluded with the formal turnover of ATF hosting duties to Singapore.