PH Sends Biggest Delegation Ever to the Arabian Travel Market 2017

L-R: Fashion designer Rene Salud, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Constancio R. Vingno, Jr., DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr., Philippine Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund Cortes, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil.

03 May 2017 ABU DHABI — With 30 participating Philippine hotels, resorts and tour operators, 230 square meters of exhibition space, coupled with entertainment numbers and a fashion show from a renowned Filipino fashion designer, the Philippines’ participation to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017 was the biggest ever since the country joined the ATM in 2009. The event was held from April 24 to 27 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. welcomed the VIP guests including Davao del Sur Congresswoman Mercedes Cagas of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Tourism, the DOT Team headed by Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr., Filipino fashion designer Rene Salud, and other guests during the opening of the Philippine Pavilion on April 24. He lauded the DOT Team and its partners for making the Philippine participation to ATM 2017 the largest so far of the country. He expressed confidence that with the continued intensive marketing efforts of the Philippines in the Middle East, the Philippines can position itself as a must-visit tourism and business destination country for the Middle East market.

DOT Undersecretary Bengzon recalled the Philippine participation to the ATM since 2009 and how this has become bigger and better over the years. He thanked the private sector partners who continue to join the event and also expressed appreciation to partners in Congress and in the Foreign Service for their continued support.

Aside from the highest number of participating hotels, resorts and tour operators, and the largest exhibition space taken by the Philippines this year, the Philippines also brought to Dubai Filipino fashion designer Rene Salud and his Mindanao tapestry fashion show to the ATM 2017 adding glamour to the Philippine pavilion. Furthermore, Filipino “human beatbox” Neil Llanes provided a unique performance number to the delight of ATM visitors.

The ATM is considered the Middle East’s leading platform for the region’s tourism professionals and a focal point for the travel industry. The Dubai-based event continues to grow. In 2016, there were 28,500 visitors in attendance, 2,873 exhibiting companies, and signed business deals worth more than US$2.5 billion over four days. For this year’s event, 40,000 industry professionals and 2,600 exhibitors were expected to attend.For more information, visit www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph or www.facebook.com/abudhabipe. END 

Ambassador Vingno poses with models wearing creations of fashion designer Rene Salud.