-Middle East Arrivals Increase By 12% -
Dubai,
December 21, 2015: Taking off from the success of the Visit the
Philippines Year (VPY) 2015 campaign, the Department of Tourism (DOT)
launches Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016 as part of its intensive marketing efforts to establish the Philippines both as a tourist and business destination.
“Visit the Philippines Again 2016
is going to be the most massive retail-focused effort the Philippines
has ever made. We are negotiating with tour operators and travel agents
to give incentives to returning visitors to the Philippines,” DOT
Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.
Aside
from the special packages for visitors, the DOT, together with its
Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), has partnered with the private sector
and local government units in promising a bigger, greater, and more
exciting line up of events and tourism product offerings that showcase
the country’s competitive advantage as a destination. Among these major
events include the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2016, Routes Asia 2016, Madrid
Fusion Manila 2016, 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, MTV
Music Evolution 2016, and the Travel Blog EXchange (TBEX).
“2016 will be a year of again. Our
VPA campaign will again highlight the Philippines as a multi-level
experience destination with our warm Filipino people, exciting
activities, and endless new discoveries in our award-winning
destinations that are worth a repeat visit. We are also putting together
packages and rewards, so that when a tourist returns to the Philippines
for a second or fifth time, he will get discounts in several
establishments,” the tourism chief added.
Of
particular note for the Middle East is the “Kids Stay Free Campaign”,
which has been designed exclusively for families (both nationals and
expatriates), living in the G.C.C. and offers exceptional value.
The
campaign packages provide two children per family under the age of 11
with an exciting array of activities, food, accommodations and other
experiences all on a complimentary basis. Additionally the packages
allow families to twin both the Philippines capital Manila with another
exotic Philippine destination such as Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol,
Davao or Bicol, allowing for both an urban and idyllic getaway
experience.
The
Philippines’ no visa requirement for G.C.C. and many other nationals,
plus it’s many popular shopping experiences, tranquil beaches and
numerous family-friendly attractions has resulted in an increasing
number of G.C.C. residents choosing to make the Philippines their
holiday destination of choice.
Accordingly
to the latest statistics available a total of 65,642 visitors from the
G.C.C. visited the Philippines between January and September 2015,
resulting in a 12% increase compared to 2014 figures for the same
period. Amongst those, the number from Saudi Arabia was the highest at
40,453 travelers, which was an increase of 17% compared to the year
before. Visitors from the United Arab Emirates were the next highest,
followed by visitors from Kuwait.
For
further information about the Philippines visit the Philippines
Department of Tourism English and Arabic social media sites at:
Facebook: It’s More Fun in the Philippines – Middle East