“It’s More Fun in the Philippines” in Berlin, Germany

Secretary of Tourism Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. led the Philippine delegation in launching the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in Berlin, Germany, as part of the country’s participation in the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB-Berlin) 2012, the world’s biggest travel fair.

The Philippine delegation kicked off with a launch party last March 8, 2012 at the ultra trendy disco club Felix, to give more than 300 European travel-trade and media representatives an experience of how it is indeed more fun in the Philippines. Party host Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. was welcomed and introduced to the crowd by German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s body double-slash-impersonator. Home-grown world-class talent was shared by Cebuano violinist Jake Gacang, a Filipino dance band based in Germany called Maloy’s Band, and Grupo Tribale, a three-man Bacolod-based percussion band.

The event also awarded the winner of the DOT-Frankfurt’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” meme-writing contest. Silvia Alander of First Reisseburo won a fun package to the Philippines sponsored by Annset Holidays, Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, the Manila Hotel, El Nido Resorts, Ambassador in Paradise and Amorita.

The campaign highlights the most important tourist attraction the Philippines can offer, aside from its beautiful beaches and perfect weather—its people. The Filipino’s joyful disposition and love of life makes every vacation in the Philippines an unforgettable experience.

In his opening speech, Secretary Jimenez said, “The fun is always greater than the problems that we face in travel and that it is also the core principle behind relativity which I think is a German idea. The objective of tonight is to have more fun than anything else because tonight you’re going to have more of the Philippines than anything else. The only thing you could probably have more of is the vodka. Thank you very much for being here. This room is hereby declared as a piece of the Philippines.”

Fans with Fun Philippines graphics served as giveaways to the happy European guests. The Philippines’ very own “Vuqo Vodka” was the welcome drink. Special Philippine cocktails called “Philippine Fun Twist” and “Manila Sunset Breeze” were served throughout the evening, with Philippine memes and graphics shown on the multiple screens of restaurant-bar Felix to create the Fun Philippines atmosphere, convincing even the non-tourism crowd that partying is so much more fun in the Philippines.