The Philippines expects more than 10,000 delegates and foreign visitors to arrive for its hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, according to the Department of Tourism. Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay gave the figure at a press conference in Makati City on Wednesday, Philippine News Agency reports.
She said the full count will appear in final numbers once the meetings conclude, and that the influx should benefit the country. The high-level meetings will bring various world leaders to Pasay City, including United States President Donald Trump.
Why it matters
The summit is a diplomatic event first, but the tourism department is treating it as a chance to showcase the country to a large foreign audience. More than 10,000 arrivals represent a significant concentration of international visitors in a short window, and the government is building its hospitality and cultural program around them.
Angara-Mathay framed her department's role as distinct from the political agenda. Her office, she said, is responsible for the social events tied to the opening and closing ceremonies and the gala dinner, along with site enhancement work. She described the preparations as complete.
Filipino food and art on display
According to Philippine News Agency, the Philippines will serve dishes from across the archipelago throughout the summit, including food from restaurants that have recently received Michelin recognition.
An exhibit of works by some of the country's most celebrated artists will also be mounted. The tourism department named Vicente Manansala, Arturo Luz, Juan Luna and Félix Resurreccion Hidalgo among those featured.
Arriving leaders will be received at the airport with a program involving Ballet Philippines and the National Symphony Orchestra, which will perform Filipino classical pieces alongside contemporary selections, Angara-Mathay said.
Frontline staff and post-summit trips
The tourism department holds the vice-chair for operations post on the ASEAN National Organizing Council. It has been training roughly 300 liaison officers, information officers and ushers who will act as the country's frontline representatives during the hosting.
The department is also prepared to arrange curated trips for foreign delegates who want to see destinations around the country after the meetings end.
Separately, the department and the Filipino girl group BINI recently released a music video for "Sama-Sama Tayo," which honors the Philippines' hosting of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Cebu last May. The department said the video is meant to use the reach of Filipino acts to encourage foreign visitors and overseas Filipinos to explore the country.
Angara-Mathay said the goal is to carry the message of the Philippine chairmanship beyond the leaders' table to a wider community. BINI's release followed SB19's "Together in Motion," the official song of the 49th summit.
Watch for the tourism department's final arrival figures after the summit closes, which will show whether the 10,000 estimate holds.
