PH Promotes Fitness Tourism in New York

(From left): Economic Assistant Beverly Pellosis, Gran Fondo New York (GFNY) cyclists Marvin Dimaculangan and Arland Macaseib, Vice Consul Khrystina P. Corpuz Popov, and Tourism Representative Susan Del Mundo work to attract more participants to the GFNY Philippine leg during the GFNY Expo in Manhattan. (New York PCG photo)

NEW YORK 23 May 2018 – The Philippine Department of Tourism-New York (PDOTNY) took part in the Gran Fondo New York (GFNY) Expo at the Penn Pavillion in Manhattan last 18 to 20 May 2018.

PDOTNY promoted and took registration for the Philippines’ first hosting of the Gran Fondo cycling marathon, which is scheduled in January 2019 in Bohol. The expo was a prelude to the GFNY Race on 20 May held in Central Park.

The Philippine booth, featuring the famed Bamboo Bike or “Bambike,” attracted a good share of interested racers and beginner cyclists. The “Bambike” is a socio-ecological enterprise based in the Philippines that hand-makes bamboo bicycles with fair trade labor and sustainable building practices.

The Bamboo Bike Builders (or “Bambuilders”) come from Gawad Kalinga, a non-profit organization known for building sustainable communities in poverty-stricken areas.

According to Tourism Representative Susan Del Mundo, “Hosting a GFNY Philippine event will bring both short- and long-term benefits, given the number of cyclists who are keen to experience and challenge themselves on a new marathon racing course. GFNY’s events attract participants from different countries, and each GFNY is locally owned, operated and produced, and expected to bring economic benefits to the race locations.”

The Philippine Consulate General in New York was represented by Vice Consul Khrystina P. Corpuz Popov and Economic Assistant Beverly Pellosis. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph / www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.