Online Tourism Briefing Organized for Philippine Diplomatic Posts

10 May 2023 – The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of International Economic Relations (OIER) co-organized an Online Tourism Briefing with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on 09 May 2023. The briefing drew 333 participants from various Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) and Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTICs).

In her opening remarks, TPB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Margarita Nograles highlighted the important role that FSPs and PTICs play in promoting the Philippines to foreign travelers. They help complement the work of the tourism attachés and reach markets beyond what is covered by the current 23 Philippine DOT Overseas Offices. She is hopeful that with the combined whole-of-government efforts, the Philippines will be able to attain its goal of becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the next five (5) years.

To help orient Philippine diplomats and trade attachés on the work of TPB, Mr. Arturo Gatus, OIC of the Corporate Planning Office of TPB provided a background on the mandate of TPB to market and promote the Philippines as a major global destination. Some of its programs include organizing Philippine participation in overseas travel trade and consumer fairs, and undertaking other overseas marketing and promotional activities such as, but not limited to, sales missions and presentations in key markets with the objective of creating awareness on the Philippines.

Meanwhile, DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno discussed the new program of the DOT which leverages on the large Philippine diaspora in reaching potential tourists through its “Bisita Be My Guest” (BBMG) program. The DOT hopes to tap Overseas Filipinos as Tourism Ambassadors and provide them with incentives to invite their family, friends, and acquaintances to visit the Philippines. More information about the BBMG can be found on this link: https://bbmg.philippines.travel/

Through the recently-conducted Tourism Presentation, FSP and PTIC officers and staff not only learned more about the current DOT and TPB Programs, they were also able to interact with tourism officials on how their offices can collaborate on promoting Philippine tourism. END