PH Tourism drive targets Asian-American travelers

Philippine Department of Tourism Officers with GTT International/Majestic Holidays Officers at the Philippine Product Presentation held at the Hongkong Flower Lounge in Millbrae, California last November 5. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

MILBRAE, California — The Philippines’ tourism department launched its first major campaign in the United States to attract to Asian-American and mainstream American travelers who are visiting neighboring countries in the region.

Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco (DOT) and GTT International/Majestic Vacations, one of the biggest airline consolidators in the US hosted a sumptuous Chinese dinner for the 140 Asian-American travel agents, tour operators and airline partners on November 5.

Various Asian airlines, namely China Airlines, China Eastern, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and All-Nippon Airways also attended the event and have signified support for the DOT’s campaign. Guests received prizes and giveaways from the DOT, GTT/Majestic and partner airlines.

Through this effort, the DOT aims to generate inbound tourist arrivals from North America as the Philippines focuses on becoming the premier travel destination in the region next year with the recent announcement of the “Visit Philippines Year (VPY) 2015.”

The campaign, spearheaded by Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo, director for Market Development of the Philippine Department of Tourism, features the country’s popular destinations like Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol among others as well as the archipelago’s thrilling activities like Beach Holiday, Scuba Diving, Shopping, and Health and Wellness activities to name a few.

A colorful multi-media presentation encouraged attendees to offer the Philippines as a Twin Destination package or Extension Vacation destination of the existing Asian cities that they have been selling to their clients.

“With this product presentation, we are able to reach out to our Asian-American partners in the travel industry so that they can start selling the Philippines one-of-a-kind destinations and exciting activities to their clients,” said Jorda-Apo.

“This presentation is just one of many promotional activities lined up by the DOT to brand the Philippines as a unique and supplemental travel destination among the Asia-Americans and the mainstream Americans who visit our neighboring countries for vacation purposes,”, she added.

Philippine Consul General in SF Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. officially invited the guests to visit the Philippines/ “It is an open secret that the Philippines’ best asset is truly the warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos,” Bensurto stated. “It is your interaction with the locals that will make your trip a truly memorable one.”

Eliza Chung, GTT/Majestic regional manager presented the travel agents with optional ways to market, sell, and include the Philippines on their current list travel and tour packages.