08 July 2013 - With barely a week before the official start of the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) to the Philippines from July 09 to 12, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, the designated Tour Coordinator for this year, held a pre-departure orientation and briefing for all tour participants on July 03 at the Consulate’s Alay sa Sakada Lanai.
The event also served as the Consulate’s send-off and “It’s more fun in the Philippines!” bash for the participants from both Hawaii and French Polynesia, which total to 108, the biggest delegation from across the United States and Canada.
During the briefing, the attendees conveyed their appreciation for the Consulate for organizing this annual activity which allows them to rediscover the Philippines and reunite with their families and friends in the country. They also said that they look forward to this Tour, which promises to offer new destinations and attractions.
The Consulate in Honolulu, having had the most number of registrants to the Tour since 2007, launched the 8th ACGTDT in January 2013. Along with the efforts of Hawaii’s top four travel agencies – Aloha Tours and Travel, Everlasting Travel, Noble Travel and Panda Travel, the Consulate undertook a massive marketing blitz to promote the annual tour, the highlight of which is an audience with President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Among the delegates from Hawaii include Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, Maui Councilmembers Gladys Baisa, Don Guzman, and Donald Couch Jr., Ms. Maria A.F. Etrata, Incoming Chair, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) and Mr. David Asanuma, Executive Director, Honolulu Festival Foundation. Also joining the Tour are Ms. Edith Gudoy and Ms. Letty Saban, consistent ACGTDT participants for 8 and 7 years, respectively, and Ms. Bennette Misalucha of the Fil-Am Courier and Ms. Carlota Ader of the Hawaii-Filipino Chronicle, the Tour’s media partners. END
