MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, WILDLIFE AND CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS AFFAIR…
Bilateral
The Department of Tourism of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Tourism Development, wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs of the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”,
DESIRING to strengthen the friendly relations and mutual understanding existing between the two countries;
CONVINCED of the importance of tourism in developing their respective economies and in advancing a deep understanding between their people;
CONSIDERING that tourism, by reason of its socio-cultural and economic dynamism, is an excellent instrument to promote goodwill and to enhance the relations between their countries;
HAVE REACHED THE FOLLOWING UNDERSTANDING:
PARAGRAPH 1
OBJECTIVES
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to promote cooperation between the Participants in order to enhance the development of activities in the tourism sector.
PARAGRAPH 2
COOPERATIVE AREAS
In order to achieve the objectives of this MoU, the Participants will endeavor to cooperate in the following areas of cooperation in the tourism sector:
| a) |
Research and Development;
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| b) |
Education and Training;
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| c) |
Promotional Programmes;
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| d) |
Tourism Investments; and
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| e) |
Any other areas of cooperation as may be mutually determined by the Participants.
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PARAGRAPH 3
COOPERATION MODALITIES
COOPERATION MODALITIES
The cooperation activities developed under this MOU may be carried out through the following modalities:
| a) |
Promotion of mutual visits by their respective nationals and residents;
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| b) |
Promotion of the healthy growth of the tourism industry in both countries;
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| c) |
Exchange of experiences on matters relating to the organization, management and business operation of tourism activities in their respective countries;
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| d) |
Exchange of publications, research studies, and other information and date on tourism legislation and statistics existing and prevailing in their countries;
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| e) |
Promotion of academic networking and exchanges between higher education institutions of both countries related to tourism;
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| f) |
Exchange of experiences on topics related to official standards and certifications on tourism;
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| g) |
Exchange of experts and information or technology related to tourism;
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| h) |
Training of personnel in tourism development and planning;
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| i) |
Development of joint comparative studies on training programmes and skills improvement on tourism;
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| j) |
Development, promotion, and exchange of programmes related to gender and development, sustainable, and accessible tourism for all;
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| k) |
Implementation of joint promotion programmes involving collaboration on advertising, familiarazation tours, B2B meetings and trade fairs in tourism;
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| l) |
Provide and support for the enhancement, understanding, and management of ecotourism destinations in sustainable and responsible manner;
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| m) |
Development of tour packages;
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| n) |
Production, distribution and exchange of brochures and other collateral materials;
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| o) |
Promotion of closer cooperation between the two countries’ respective tourism organizations, tourism agencies, private sector, or any other bodies connected with tourism;
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| p) |
Arrangement of study tours for specialized experts in the field of tourism;
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| q) |
Promotion of the two countries’ public and private sectors in investment and participation in tourism programmes and to devote special attention to the development and implementation of mutually beneficial projects relating to tourism investments, and
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| r) |
any other cooperation modality determined by the Participants.
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PARAGRAPH 4
COMPETENCE
The Participants will carry out the cooperation activities referred to in this MoU, with absolute respect to their respective competencies, institutional guidelines and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
PARAGRAPH 5
IMPLEMENTATION AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT
For the proper coordination, implementation, monitoring and assessment of the cooperation activities under this MoU, the Participants designate their respective focal offices:
For the Philippines Department of Tourism:
Policy Formulation and International Cooperation Division, Office
of Tourism Planning Research and Information Management
For the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka:
Ministry of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs:
The Participants shall set up a Joint Committee to implement the measures that will realize the objectives set out in this MOU. The said committee shall hold its meetings as and when the need arises.
The financial arrangements to cover the expenses for the cooperative activities undertaken within the framework of this MoU will be mutually decided by the Participant, subject to the availability of funds, and the applicable laws, rules and regulations in each country.
PARAGRAPH 6
CONFIDENTIALITY
The Participant will observe the confidentiality and secrecy of documents, information and other data shared, received or supplied to each other relative to the implementation of this MoU. The Participants will continue to observe this provision notwithstanding the termination of this MOU.
PARAGRAPH 7
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Any dispute between the Participants on the interpretation or implementation of this MOU shall be settled amicable through consultations or negotiations.
PARAGRAPH 8
AMENDMENT
This MOU may be revised, modified or amended at any time, by mutual written consent of the Participants. Such revision, modification or amendment will be effective in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 8 of this MOU.
PARAGRAPH 9
FINAL PROVISIONS
This MoU will become effective on the date of the last notification by the Participants, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its effectivity have been completed, and will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years. Thereafter, it will be automatically renewed for similar periods, unless either Participant expresses its intention to terminate this MoU, through diplomatic channels, by giving at least six (6) months prior notification.
The termination of this MoU will not affect the conclusion of the cooperation projects or activities that may have been formalized while it was effective.
Signed in Manila on this 16th day of January 2019, in two (2) original copies in the English language, both texts being equally authentic.
| (SGD.) | (SGD.) |
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FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
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FOR THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM
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| TOURISM OF THE | DEVELOPMENT, WILDLIFE AND |
| REPUBLIC OF THE | CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF |
| PHILIPPINES | THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST |
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REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
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