Globe Telecom boosts PH as Asia’s top travel spot with TPB tie-up

MANILA, Philippines – Globe Telecom, through its International Business Group, has renewed its partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Department of Tourism to promote the Philippines as one of Asia’s top tourist destinations via its Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016 campaign.

With the partnership, Globe will once again offer its Globe Traveler SIM to millions of tourists and returning OFWs for free for affordable and worry-free connectivity during their stay in the country. Globe is TPB’s first Philippine telco partner to offer affordable communication services to millions of foreign tourists and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the country with the Globe Traveler SIM, a local prepaid SIM that offers affordable local rates for mobile data, calls, and SMS services.

Forging the partnership between Globe Telecom and the Tourism Promotions Board to offer the Globe Traveler SIM for free to tourists and balikbayans are Globe SVP Nikko Acosta and TPB COO Domingo Enerio III

“Staying connected is a priority for the millions of travelers around the world and we are very happy to offer our services to those who are visiting the Philippines through the Globe Traveler SIM, still available for free this 2016,” said Nikko Acosta, Senior Vice President for International Business Group at Globe. “We are privileged to once again partner with the TPB this year to help boost the travel experience with affordable call, text and data services, enabling them to stay in touch as well as share the beauty of the Philippines to the rest of the world through social media. With Globe, we ensure that even travelers get to live and embrace their digital lifestyle as their connectivity partner while in the country.”

TPB COO Domingo Enerio III shares milestones of TPB’s partnership with Globe as the connectivity partner of tourists and balikbayans

Aside from supporting the Visit the Philippines Again 2016 campaign through the Traveler SIM, Globe is launching Relive Wonderful Philippines in parallel to the tourism campaign. Relive Wonderful Philippines is a video contest where international visitors (Non-Philippine residents and OFWs) can submit a video showcasing why they love the Philippines and what they want to do in the country again. The winner of the best video will win a ticket to fly back to the Philippines with a companion to their destination of choice complete with hotel accommodation and allowance from Globe. More details can be found at www.globe.com.ph/traveler-sim.

With the steady growth of international visitors and the increasing number of OFWs returning home, Globe partnered with the TPB in 2015 to offer the Globe Traveler SIM for free, giving tourists and balikbayans access to seamless connectivity at low-cost rates. Data on Globe Traveler SIM usage from August to November 2015 revealed that 90% of the Traveler SIM users came to the Philippines for vacation, and the top 3 countries with the most number of visitors were from Korea, China, and Singapore. The same data also showcased that 97% of Traveler SIM customer base used data and 85% for local calls.

Globe Senior Vice President for International Business Nikko Acosta talks about how the Globe Traveler SIM has provided affordable and worry-free connectivity to tourists and balikbayans in the country

To get a free Globe Traveler SIM, tourists and OFWs simply need to present their passport of OFW E-Card at the Globe booths in NAIA, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Iloilo, and Clark International Airports. They can also reserve here.

“This year will be another competitive year for Philippine tourism, as TPB intends to remain aggressive in securing its rightful share of the tourist market. Because of our competitive fire, we are confident that more foreign travelers will choose to visit the Philippines over any other destination and more will be delighted to return to the country this year,” shares Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.

He adds, “With our renewed partnership with Globe, we at TPB are excited for tourists and balikbayans to enjoy fast, affordable and reliable mobile connectivity through the Traveler SIM. It is one’s perfect companion to stay connected and updated in the Philippines are we are very happy that Globe is part of our commitment to make one’s stay in the country more fun and wonderful.”

According to a recent report by the Department of Tourism, the Philippines registered a total of 2.6 million international visitors from January to June 2015 with total earnings amounting to P111.05 billion generated from various tourism activities.

VPA2016 is a retail-based campaign to drive urgency and excitement among foreign travelers to visit the Philippines and return for more fun, friendship, feel-good adventures, and fabulous memories to cherish in 2016. Foreign travelers will be treated to many new and exciting attractions and spectacular travel destinations that showcase the beauty of the Philippine islands and the warmth of its people. Offering more fun that keeps foreign travelers coming back for more, returning visitors will also be given exclusive travel deals and special incentives. They can avail of special discounts on flights, hotel accommodations and tour packages after simply presenting proof of previous visits.

With the Globe Traveler SIM, users can receive calls and texts from abroad for free and cut costs on mobile data by subscribing to TravelSurf, which allows them to surf the Internet on mobile for an affordable rate of US$11 for seven (7) days or US$23 for 30 days, giving them access to e-mails, social networking sites, apps, and travel blogs and reviews for a worry-free stay in the Philippines. Users can also call abroad for as low as US$0.40 per minute. Getting a local SIM will afford the user a more cost-efficient way to connect than using an international number which charges international call, text and browsing rates.

For more information on the FREE Globe Traveler SIM and the Relive Wonderful Philippines video contest, please visit globe.com.ph/traveler-sim. For jetsetters, backpackers, and thrill-seekers, Visit the Philippines Again 2016 provides a year-round calendar guide for all adventures, whether it be food trips, walking tours, or festivals. For information on activities and events, please visit www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com.

ADVT.