22 January 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, together with the Philippine Department of Tourism – Middle East (DOT-ME) Representative Office, hosted a Tourism Dinner Reception at the Maharlika House, the Ambassador’s Official Residence, on 10 December 2014 to launch the “Visit the Philippines Year 2015” campaign in Abu Dhabi.

The campaign was launched by DOT in Manila in September 2014 with key events planned for the campaign, namely, business meetings, history and culture, lifestyle and entertainment, music and the arts, sports, adventure and eco-tourism.

Aviareps General Manager and DOT-ME Representative Glenn Johnston delivered the welcome remarks while Philippine Ambassador to UAE Grace Relucio-Princesa delivered the inspirational message.

The Tourism Dinner Reception was attended by invited guests from the travel industry in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the Executive Committee of the Bayanihan Council, the umbrella organization of all Filipino organizations accredited by the Embassy, and members of the media.

The “Visit the Philippines 2015” promotional video was presented before the dinner.  Guests were then treated to a “Destination Philippines”-themed menu consisting of various specialties, such as Baguio’s fresh green salad with strawberries, Laguna’s ginisang munggo, Bicol express, Davao’s tuna panga and belly, Cebu’s chicken inasal, old Manila’s paella Filipina, and ice cream with pili nut.

Guests gamely posed in a photo booth where the backdrop featured tourist destinations in the Philippines. Guests brought home onsite photo souvenirs and giveaway bags.  Two lucky raffle draw winners won an airfare ticket to the Philippines and a two-night hotel stay in the Philippines, respectively.

According to the DOT-ME, the number of Middle Eastern tourists visiting the Philippines increased by 12% in the first three quarters of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  Visitors from the United Arab Emirates increased by 15% over the same period.  END