10 February 2012- The Philippine Embassy in Paris and the Department of Tourism in Frankfurt led the Philippines' participation in the 14th edition of the Salon de la Plongée Sous-Marine 2012, held from January 13 to 16, at the Parc Expo, Porte de Versailles in Paris.
Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina G. Ortega gave her strong support to the Philippines' participation in the fair. She personally talked to the representatives of all Philippine dive and resort partners and encouraged them to promote the country and its many natural wonders. As part of the Embassy's effort to increase interest in the Philippines, the Ambassador also met with other third-party travel and dive exhibitors in the fair and thanked them for including the Philippines in their packages.
During the fair, Philippine Tourism Attaché Marie Venus Tan explained that the marketing campaign for the year centered on "Unlimited Dive Philippines" which is specifically geared towards the French and German markets.
All participating partners, joining the Dive Philippines Country stand in the Salon, offered an "Unlimited" diving package.
Cathay Pacific Airways, the official airline partner in the special promotions campaign, offered a preferential rate in support of the packages. The offer aims to maintain momentum for the Philippines as a premiere dive destination in Asia considering that the country's waters are well-known for harboring a spectacular array of sea creatures and corals.
The Philippine booth, with its colorful video and print displays of the many dive wonders in the country, attracted approximately a thousand visitors and the attention of French dive enthusiasts.No other ASEAN member had its own country stand in the Salon.
In addition, the Philippine booth showcased a tombola in partnership with Worldwide Dive and Sail, with prizes including a 7-day dive cruise in the Tubbataha reef, domestic flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa, two nights stay at Daluyon Resort in Puerto Princesa and a visit to the Underground River. French national Dominique Dupuis won the tombola prize.
The Philippine booth was shared by the Embassy and DOT with ten dive industry partners like Asia Divers/El Galleon Resort, Marco Vincent and Atlantis Dive Resort of Mindoro, Amontillado Resort, El Dorado Beach Resort, Atmosphere Resort and Spa and Easy Diving of Negros Oriental, and Dolphin House and Sampaguita Resort of Cebu and Abyss.
With strong Philippine participation in the Salon de la Plongée and with the new "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign, the Embassy and DOT hope to attract more tourists from France. Last year, around 27,000 French visitors traveled to the Philippines. END