TIESPHI Congratulates M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir on Appointment as CIFFT Ambassador for Asia

MANILA, Philippines — October 14, 2026 — The International Ecotourism Society Philippines Inc. (TIESPHI) congratulates M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir, its President for Europe and Head of Portugal, on his appointment as Ambassador for Asia of the International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT).

The appointment places Zahir in a regional role connecting CIFFT with tourism institutions, destination organizations, filmmakers, creative professionals, media practitioners and other tourism-promotion stakeholders across Asia.

CIFFT’s public ambassador directory lists Dalton Zahir as Ambassador, Asia. The supplied appointment letter, signed by CIFFT Director Alexander V. Kammel, is dated Vienna, June 23, 2026. This October release celebrates that appointment; it does not assign a new appointment date.

A broader platform for Asian tourism storytelling

Zahir represents CIFFT and the World Tourism Film Awards across the Asian region. The supplied letter outlines responsibilities that bring tourism promotion and audiovisual storytelling together:

• Promoting CIFFT’s mission and international initiatives, including the World Tourism Film Awards, across Asia.
• Building strategic connections with destinations, tourism boards, institutions, companies and creative professionals.
• Supporting and advising potential participants interested in submitting tourism films and promotional content to CIFFT member festivals and competitions.
• Encouraging the development and international recognition of tourism films from the South Asian region.
• Serving as a regional point of contact for stakeholders seeking collaboration or participation in CIFFT initiatives.

These responsibilities create an opportunity to bring more Asian destinations, cultures, communities and tourism experiences to international audiences. Effective tourism storytelling can help communicate a place’s identity alongside its attractions, while giving viewers a clearer sense of the people and environments behind a destination.

About CIFFT and the World Tourism Film Awards

Established in 1989, CIFFT brings together international tourism film festivals and recognizes tourism advertising, promotional and social-media videos through its competition circuit and the World Tourism Film Awards.

Its work encourages quality and creativity in travel video marketing. CIFFT is also listed in UN Tourism’s Affiliate Members Directory.

Select the supplied logos to visit the relevant organization or membership reference. Affiliate membership refers to CIFFT.

A meaningful milestone for TIESPHI

For TIESPHI, the appointment offers another avenue for international engagement. The organization’s published mission and advocacy emphasize ecotourism education, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, community participation, responsible destination promotion and local and international partnerships.

A regional leader taking on a wider tourism-communication role can help create connections across institutions and markets. Those opportunities complement TIESPHI’s commitment to people, nature, culture and sustainable destinations. They are possibilities to develop through cooperation, rather than a claim that new partnerships or projects have already been secured.

What the appointment could help advance

1. International visibility for Asian destinations

Tourism boards, destination organizations and filmmakers may gain a clearer route to participating in international tourism-film platforms. Strong audiovisual work can make destinations more recognizable and communicate experiences beyond a conventional promotional headline.

2. Cross-border partnerships

The role can connect tourism authorities, destination marketers, creative agencies, production companies, media organizations and sustainability advocates. Such relationships can support the exchange of expertise and open conversations about collaborative projects.

3. Responsible destination storytelling

Film and digital media can communicate culture, heritage, environment and community life as well as attractions. For TIESPHI, responsible storytelling means presenting places with care for their identity and for the people who live there.

The intersection of tourism, media, sustainability and international cooperation creates opportunities for destinations seeking to build visibility while retaining a long-term commitment to responsible development.

The appointment letter

The letter identifies the appointee as Mr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Dalton Zahir) and confirms his role as CIFFT Ambassador for Asia. It also sets out the regional representation and stakeholder-engagement responsibilities summarized above.

Download the supplied appointment-letter image. The attachment was provided as a JPEG, not a PDF.

TIESPHI celebrates global leadership

TIESPHI extends its congratulations to M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir on this professional milestone. The organization looks forward to the partnerships and opportunities that may emerge from his regional role, while continuing its advocacy for ecotourism, responsible travel, sustainable destination development and meaningful international collaboration.

Congratulations, M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir, on your appointment as CIFFT Ambassador for Asia.

Greetings from the TIESPHI worldwide community, Founder Ms. Vilma De Claro Mendoza, and Co-Founder Mr. Nestor “Sir Next” Tugade Layderos.

A congratulatory message in motion

Partner with TIESPHI

TIESPHI welcomes conversations with tourism organizations, government institutions, destinations, academic institutions, businesses, media organizations, development partners, sustainability advocates and professionals committed to responsible tourism.

Send TIESPHI a Facebook message to explore a partnership →

You can also visit TIESPHI’s official website for more information.

Additional supplied portraits and identifiers

These materials were supplied with the release. The contact-card mockups are supporting visuals, not substitutes for the official appointment listing or letter. The NRB World artcard relates to a separate membership announcement.

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