PH wooing tourists from Iraq

The Philippine Embassy in Iraq marked the 40th anniversary of Philippine relations with Iraq. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BAGHDAD—More Iraqis are being wooed to travel to Manila in the coming months following the launching of the Visit the Philippines Again 2016 tourism promotion program here by The Philippine Embassy.

The launching of the sequel to the Department of Tourism’s successful 2015 program highlighted the reception at the Babylon Hotel, hosted by the embassy on Wednesday, December 30 to mark the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Iraq.

There “definitely was great interest” not only among Iraqis, but also foreign diplomats after seeing the video presentation of the various tourism destinations in the Philippines, reported embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato.

The video presentation showcased such popular tourist destinations as Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Siargao, Vigan, Albay, Davao, Banaue, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro.

Guests in Baghdad watching a pitch for tourist visits to the Philippines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Among those who are planning to visit the Philippines was Dr. Karim Wasfi, principal conductor of the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra. “After seeing what you just showed us, I now want to live in the Philippines,” Dr. Wasfi told Cato.

Aside from members of the diplomatic corps and Iraqi officials and business leaders, also in attendance at the reception were representatives from various airlines and major travel agencies who offered to help the Embassy promote the Philippines as a holiday destination to their clients.

“We will be working with the airlines and travel agencies in the coming weeks so that we could start bringing Iraqi tourists in,” Cato said, adding that the embassy will try to make it easier for Iraqis to obtain visas to allow them to visit the country.

Last  year, the embassy issued a total of 206 visas to Iraqi nationals who wanted to go to the the Philippines for business or pleasure. “We will definitely work hard this year to ensure an increase in tourist arrivals from Iraq,” said Cato.

The embassy handed out as swag abaca bags with chocolate mangoes from Cebu, USB cards from the Clark Development Corporation and brochures from the Department of Tourism.

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