19 November 2014 - The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) in San Francisco recently launched its first major marketing campaign for Asian American travelers in a product presentation held on November 05 at the Hong Kong Flower Lounge Restaurant in Millbrae, California. The event was conducted in cooperation with GTT International/Majestic Vacations, and was attended by tour operators and travel agencies throughout the Bay Area. Airline representatives from two of the largest global airline alliances, Star Alliance and SkyTeam, were also in attendance.
In line with the DOT’s new tourism promotion theme, “Visit Philippines Year 2015”, this campaign is a first in the United States as it specifically targets Asian Americans and American tourists. Through this effort, the DOT aims to generate inbound tourist arrivals from North America by encouraging travel agencies and tour operators to package the Philippines as a Twin Destination or Extended Vacation Destination of their existing tour packages to other Asian cities.
The product presentation featured the Philippines’ world-renowned destinations such as Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Cebu and Bohol. It also showcased popular tourist activities in the country’s premier tourist spots such as beach holidays, scuba diving, shopping and health and wellness activities, to name a few.
The campaign is spearheaded by Ms. Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo, Director for Market Development of DOT in Manila. During the launch, she stated that “This presentation is just one of many promotional activities… to brand the Philippines as a unique and supplemental travel destination among the Asian Americans and the mainstream Americans who visit our neighboring countries for vacation purposes.”
Philippine Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. also encouraged and invited attendees to visit the Philippines and be actual witnesses to the country’s number one asset: its people. In his remarks, the Consul General stated that “It is an open secret that the Philippines’ best asset is truly the warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos.” He further stated that “Is is your interaction with the locals that will make your trip a truly memorable one.” END