Image by WohinAuswandern via FlickrA March 8, 2011 press release prepared by the Department of Foreign AffairsThe Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that some 20 Philippine tour operators and hotels and resorts representatives visited Malaysia to promote Philippine tourist sites in the country’s three main islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with their Malaysian counterparts on February 23.
The roadshow was held at The Gardens Hotel, Midvalley Shopping Complex in Kuala Lumpur (see picture). It was organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) through Ms. Melissa Ong, DOT’s Malaysian Marketing Representative.
Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr. headed the Philippine contingent and gave a presentation on the touristic features of every region in the country.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Renato Villa said one of the untapped resources to achieve increased tourist arrivals is the network of overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino organizations, including associations of Filipinos with foreign spouses that may be organized and conscripted as frontliners in the DOT’s tourism campaign.
Consul General Villa added that the Embassy issues an average of 200 visas per month, and what is encouraging is the fact that about half of these issuances have “business” as the purpose of travel.
Those on business trips usually combine business with pleasure and tend to spend more, thus business travels have more far-reaching beneficial effects to the country’s economy.
One-on-one business matching sessions between Philippine and Malaysian tourism-related businesses concluded the program.
The Philippine tourism group included representatives from Manila Hotel, Hyatt Regency Manila, The Bellevue Hotel Ayala Alabang, Berjaya Hotel Makati, Misibis Bay Resort Bicol, Boracay (promoted by DOT Region 6 Director Edwin Trompeta), Philippine Air Lines, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, The Ascott, Afro Asian Travel & Tours, Pan Pacific Travel Corp., and Happy Travel & Tours.
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