PHL Tourism Office in New York Hosts American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Meeting

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega with ASTA President Ralph Vasami. (photo by NYPCG)

23 October 2017 NEW YORK – The Philippine Department of Tourism New York (PDOTNY) co-hosted the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) monthly meeting at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center last October 10.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed the attendees, noting that the United States continues to be the second-largest international tourism market for the Philippines. She shared that tourism arrivals in the Philippines continue to be on the upswing with an increase in visitor arrivals of 19.60% in May 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. For the first time this year visitor arrivals breached the 500,000 mark in May 2017 which augurs well for a positive tourism outlook for the remainder of the year. She thanked ASTA members for their promotion of Philippine destinations, and encouraged them to experience the Philippines and avail of familiarization tours available to industry partners.

ASTA President Ralph Vasami spoke on behalf of the organization to assure the Philippines of ASTA’s commitment in their mutually beneficial partnership.

Mr Joey Chanco of PDOTNY presented the latest “Experience Philippines” video of the Philippine Tourism Department, and also made available promotional materials to the travel agents for destination marketing to their clients.

Philippine Airlines, represented by Area Manager Joesyl Vasquez and the PAL Marketing Team, were likewise on hand to provide the latest flight offerings from the airlines. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.