London taxis, buses now sport ‘it’s more fun in PH’ ads

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine tourism got a boost in the United Kingdom with the rollout of 75 iconic London black cabs and double-decker buses sporting the new “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” banners.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine ambassador to Britain Enrique Manalo and the head of the Philippine tourism office there, Rosario Afuang, led travel trade partners, media representatives and members of the Filipino community in a motorcade around central London aboard the “More Fun” vehicles last May 1.

The motorcade passed through some of London’s most famous and visited areas, making an unscheduled stop on Oxford Street—one of Europe’s busiest commercial districts—to allow passengers to disembark and give delighted British shoppers an impromptu performance of Philippine song and dance.

“This is just a sample of what you will experience when you visit our country. A culture of fun, beauty and excitement await every visitor. With 7,107 islands, guests are sure to find islands that will suit their adventure, and with more than 90 million hosts, you are definitely going to have more fun in the Philippines,” Manalo said in a DFA statement.

According to Afuang, apart from the exteriors of 50 black cabs and 25 double-decker buses, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” images will appear on 75 panels at some of London’s busiest underground stations, including Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus.

“There will also be 30-second ‘More Fun’ ads appearing on 1,400 digital screens onboard London cabs,” she added.

The DFA said the advertisements in the UK are part of synchronized efforts with the Department of Tourism in Manila as it launches a worldwide campaign on CNN International which began last April 30.

“The UK campaign will remain in time for the millions of visitors from around the world attending the Queen’s Jubilee in June, the Olympic Games in July, and the Paralympic games in September,” it said.

It added that UK ranks first in Europe in number of tourist arrivals to the Philippines, and 10th overall.

“Over 100,000 British tourists travelled to the Philippines in 2011 alone—an all-time high,” the DFA said.