PH health attractions on spotlight at Dubai fair

Philippine health and wellness spots will be showcased at the 22^nd Arabian Travel Mart (ATM), according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said that the country’s inclusion in the well-renowned event would not only boost tourist arrivals and revenues, but also open an unchartered territory for Philippine tourism.

“Although the Philippines has long been attracting visitors from all over the world because of its pristine beaches and dive sites, it is yet to be known as health and wellness destination,” Teo said in a statement.

“The Arabian Travel Mart is the perfect venue for promoting the Philippine destinations where tourists can visit to relax and rejuvenate themselves.”

A delegation from DOT, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), and different Philippine operators will promote the country.  Aside from setting up pavilions featuring top Philippine health and wellness attractions, DOT and TPB will conduct business-to-business (B2B) sessions to set up Dubai tour operators for possible business partnerships.

This, in turn, will result to visits to the country.

“As an emerging health and wellness tourism destination with a huge potential to become a global leader, the Philippines certainly has a lot of investment and business opportunities to offer,” DOT Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism Officer Roberto Abalado III said.

The ATM, which will be held from April 22 to 28 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, is the largest annual travel fair event in the Middle East.  An estimated 30,000 visitors from different regions flock the four-day affair, generating more than $2.5 billion worth of signed B2B deals.