PH Wows Visitors in Largest Mediterranean Tourism Expo
Ambassador Pedro R. Laylo (in white barong Filipino) with Philippine Embassy in Israel officials, DOT personnel cultural performers, and private sector partners at the Philippine Booth (Tel Aviv PE photo)
23 February 2023 – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Embassy in Israel once again showcased the best of Philippine tourism and culture at the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM), held at EXPO Tel Aviv from 14 to 15 February 2022.
Touted as the largest and most influential travel event in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the yearly IMTM gathers key players from the travel and tourism sectors of the region and beyond. Like last year, the Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country participating in the event.
Ambassador Pedro R. Laylo, Jr. welcomed Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz who visited the Philippine booth on the expo’s opening day. The Ambassador and the DOT officials then held round-the-clock meetings with travel and tour operators, media representatives, and social media influencers.
“One of my priorities as the new Ambassador here in Israel is to launch an aggressive tourism campaign to attract Israelis to come to the Philippines as we have a lot to offer,” Ambassador Laylo said in one of the interviews.
“We have award-winning beaches such as Boracay, El Nido, and Cebu; top surfing destinations like Siargao and La Union; and dive hotspots such as Coron, Anilao, and Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the Ambassador pointed out.
The Filipino envoy to the Holy Land also called on adventure-loving Israelis to swim with whale sharks in Oslob and Donsol, drive ATVs around Pinatubo and Mayon volcanoes, float on hot air balloons over Pampanga, and try whitewater rafting in Cagayan.
World of Performing Arts champion, soprano Princess Virtudazo, who was invited by DOT to help in the promotional campaign, regaled visitors with classic Filipino songs, while Israelis gamely joined the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild in dancing tinikling and were awarded Cebu dried mangoes as their prize. Batangas barako coffee and Filipino-made rhum were also served at the booth.
Philippine tourism bounced back stronger after the pandemic, welcoming close to 10,000 Israelis in 2022. Israeli passport holders enjoy visa-free entry for stays of up to 59 days, which can be extended for up to five months. Following the signing of the Abraham Accords, flying from Tel Aviv to Manila has become easier and faster via flights via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Manama.
Travelers planning their dream Philippine vacation are invited to visit the DOT website at https://philippines.travel or get in touch with the Philippine Embassy via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END
Ambassador Laylo with Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz (fourth from right), Philippine Embassy in Israel officials, DOT personnel, and cultural performers (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Ambassador Laylo (in white barong Filipino) welcomes Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz to the Philippine Booth (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Ambassador Laylo interviewed by Israeli media. With the Ambassador are (left to right) Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Achilles L. Mandap and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Teri Adolf C. Bautista (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild dance the tinikling (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Achilles L. Mandap (blue coat) and Mr. Golan Yossifon, DOT Market Representative in Israel, with Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild dancers (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Third Secretary and Vice Consul Teri Adolf C. Bautista with Filipino Community leaders and Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild dancers (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Israeli visitors enjoying the Pintaflores Festival dance by the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild dancers (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild dancers performing the kalatong (Tel Aviv PE photo)
Israeli visitors browsing Philippine tourism brochures (Tel Aviv PE photo)