13 March 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe J. Lhuillier attended the opening session of the 3rd International Workshop on Religious Tourism on February 20 in Fatima, Portugal.
Speaking about the workshop, Ambassador Lhuillier said, “Religious tourism is an important sector of the Portuguese tourism industry. Fatima is a major attraction that specifically attracts around 6% of the millions of tourists that visit Portugal each year. This is a market that has good potential for the Philippines. In fact, tour operators from the Philippines were invited to participate in the workshop as the Philippines is considered by the industry as an important market and destination for religious tourism due to its strong Catholic history, faith and traditions.”
The Ambassador noted that the Philippine Embassy was able to work with the Business Association of Ourem-Fatima to sponsor the participation of a Philippine tour operator and that Emirates Airlines sponsored another two tour operators from the Philippines as well.
Ambassador Lhuillier said, “It is important that members of the Philippine tourism industry get the opportunity to participate in workshops such as these, as this will provide them with valuable insights and best practices concerning this market and develop useful contacts and networks.”
The Ambassador expressed hope that the Philippine tourism industry will take note of this opportunity and work together with local governments and religious institutions to develop this type of tourism in the Philippines.
The workshop, which was held from February 20 to 23, was organized by the Business Association of Ourem-Fatima in cooperation with the Municipality of Ourem and the National Tourism Agency of Portugal (Turismo de Portugal). Opinion leaders from different markets such as Brazil, USA, Poland, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, United Kingdom, Sweden, Russia, Germany and Mexico participated at the event along with hundreds of delegates representing national tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and other tourism entrepreneurs that focus on religious tourism. END