CEBU, Philippines — Cebu has officially accepted the offer to become one of the few members of the Inter-islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum, a by-invitation-only organization composed of island-province destinations in the world.

The acceptance was formalized during the 15th ITOP Forum held in Jeju Island, South Korea, last September 28 to 30 which was attended by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Previously when Cebu was invited to the 14th ITOP Forum held in Hainan, China, it was given observer status for two years.

Magpale, returning ahead of Garcia after the last Forum, told local media that ITOP has a bigger scope than the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF), of which Cebu is also a member.

“ITOP is more high-end and is not limited to East Asian countries.

We want to tap the market of Europe and US,” Magpale said.

Other member provinces of ITOP are Jeju, South Korea; Hainan, China; Okinawa, Japan; Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Hawaii, USA; Canary Islands, Spain; and South Province, Sri Lanka.

With the theme “MICE Industry and Tourism Vision,” Magpale said the forum focused on the conceptualization of Meetings, Incentives,Conventions and Exhibition (MICE) triggered by reports that tourists are now spending less.

She said that in the Joint Declaration, cooperation and sharing of information on how to prepare for this “high-end and very discriminating group” which is MICE, were emphasized.

Earlier, Garcia said Cebu's reputation as one of Asia’s top five island destinations could have played a major role in the ITOP invitation. In fact, Cebu's tourist arrivals have even increased from January to July this year, as compared to the same period last year.

The discussion to establish the ITOP Forum was started by agreement on the creation of a tourism policy forum in East Asia among Jeju, Bali and Hainan in 1995. The three countries strongly supported the idea that cooperative relationship amongst the islands in the world is highly needed.

In 1996, Jeju and Okinawa started to discuss joint plans to boost Islands tourism and mutual exchange.

After several discussions among the four regions, the 1st ITOP Forum was held in Jeju in 1997 and subsequently, permanent member regions hold the Forum in sequence every year.