DOT to hold 2023’s largest travel convention in Davao

by Jun Marcos Tadios

The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), has forged an agreement with the local government unit (LGU) of Davao City to stage there the largest travel convention and exhibitions next year.

Photo: Department of Tourism

The TPB and the Davao City LGU on Thursday, Dec. 22, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Davaoeños’ hosting of the 2023 Philippine Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions or M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON). 

“We strongly believe and claim that Davao’s hosting of the MICECON will provide a tremendous boost to the city’s tourism industry and a huge step towards its vision of making Davao a preferred MICE destination not only in the Philippines but in Asia,” TPB chief operating officer (COO) Maria Margarita Montemayor-Nograles said.

Nograles said the TPB was “extremely excited” to the support of Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte to their initiative.

Nograles lauded Duterte’s support to MICE tourism which, she said, could benefit not only the local tourism industry in Davao as the host city but also the Philippines’ economic resurgence amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

For its part, the City Government of Davao expressed full support and cooperation for the successful staging of the MICECON which is scheduled on March 1-3, 2023.

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MICECON is the largest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions or M.I.C.E. professionals in the country.

It has become a reliable event for MICE stakeholders which prides itself on having incentivized event components to benchmark on and opportunities for networking with both international and local MICE experts.

The 2023 edition of MICECON is expected to gather a total of 500 in-person delegates in Davao including virtual delegates from the tourism industry.

“The City of Davao would like to extend our most heartfelt gratitude for choosing Davao City to host MICECON 2023. Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Events are a great help to the tourism industry here in Davao. We believe that MICECON will help to revitalize Davao’s tourism sector and open more doors for business that will boost the whole region’s economic growth,” said Davao City Vice Mayor Jay Melchor B. Quitain Jr.

 

DOT targets 4.8 million foreign visitors in 2023

by Jun Marcos Tadios

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing to surpass this year’s foreign tourist arrivals as it continues to launch various programs to strengthen the local tourism industry,

For 2023, the DOT said it is targeting 4.8 million foreign visitors, which is double than 2022 arrival which is now at 2.46 million, according to DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

She said the Department is eyeing 2023 projections with full optimism, as the industry is on a spiking trajectory in terms of progress. 

The DOT had initially projected 1.7 million tourist arrivals this year, but the actual count recorded 2.46 million as of Tuesday, Dec. 19.

The United States emerged as the country’s top tourist market with 461,967 visitors, followed by South Korea (387,780), Australia (122,971), Canada (112,015), the United Kingdom (93,440), Japan (91,557), Singapore (50,964), India (49,330), Malaysia (44,357), and Vietnam (37,028).

The Tourism chief stressed that the Department would close the year with a promising trajectory of 2.5 million visitor arrivals accounting to close to 30 percent of the industry’s pre-pandemic arrivals data when the Philippines recorded 8.3 million arrivals in 2019.

Thus, she said, “is a far cry from the 164,000 recorded in 2021.” 

Frasco added the new projections are made with consideration of factors that are beyond the control of the Department, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, rising fuel prices, inflation, and the continued lockdowns in China which, for the longest time, has been the top tourist market of the Philippines.

“We look at it with optimism in a sense that our goal is to exceed our conservative projections in the same way that we have been able to exceed it this year,” Frasco said.

“And we feel that we would be able to exceed our pre-pandemic numbers way earlier than the 2025 year that was told to us when we assumed office with the improved policies under the Marcos administration,” she added.

Ranked third

Frasco welcomed the PUBLiCUS Asia survey result which placed the tourism agency third in government agencies with the highest approval ratings nationwide.

The survey, conducted between Nov. 25 to 30, likewise ranked the DOT 8th in terms of trust rating from the public.

“We are grateful for the Filipino people’s positive response and support for the work we have done in the past 6 months to usher in the recovery of the tourism industry,” said Frasco.

“We are optimistic that just as we have greatly exceeded our targets this year, 2023 will usher in more record-breaking numbers, translating to more livelihood and employment opportunities for our fellow Filipinos. We are thankful for our continued partnership and collaboration with the hardworking men and women of the Philippine tourism industry from the public and private sectors across the country,” she added.

Priority goals

Meanwhile, Frasco announced their priority goals for next year, which include stronger collaboration with national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in developing the country’s tourism portfolio and exemplifying the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE).

This will highlight the training of 100,000 tourism workers, the highest record set by far for the industry, according to the secretary.

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Frasco signed a formal partnership with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to enhance the overall tourist experience at the established tourist centers around the country.

The partnership, she noted, would provide improved internet connectivity in at least 94 destinations all over the country, and more digitalized tourism services.

Frasco said the goal is to make travel seamless for all types of travelers, thus, the launching of the E-arrival pass together with the DOT, DICT, BI, BOQ, and DOH which integrates all the requirements of five government agencies into one platform.

“It makes travel as convenient as possible for any Filipino or tourist coming into the country by removing any barriers that would otherwise dissuade tourists from coming into the Philippines,” she said.

The DOT also launched two of its newest tourism programs which include the Philippine Travel Experience which would give tourists a window to discover the country’s tourism gems; and the “Bisita, Be My Guest Program”, wherein the DOT is giving away condominium units, cars, and other amenity packages for returning Filipinos who can bring home in acquaintances, friends and family members to the country.

PH tourism competitiveness

The DOT has also laid the groundwork for the Philippines to be more tourism-competitive in Asia and the world through the establishment of one-stop-shop tourist centers called Tourist Rest Areas (TRA) in 10 strategic locations across the country which are: Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon; Samal Island in Davao del Norte; Baguio in the Cordilleras; Dauis in Bohol; Saud in Ilocos Norte; and Carcar, Carmen, Medellin, and Moalboal in Cebu, and in January 2023, in Roxas in Palawan.

“Aside from diversifying our products in arts and film tourism, we are also developing the country’s existing tourism products including dive and marine sports tourism, education, health, and cruise tourism, food and gastronomy tourism, culture and heritage tourism, MICE tourism and halal tourism,” Frasco said.

The secretary said she will also ensure the continuity of her listening tours, which have proven to help gather the most important insights from industry stakeholders on the ground, with the intent of establishing an inclusive, collaborative, and consultative Tourism Department.

She said the DOT is also in close coordination with its partner government offices such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), as well the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Health (DOH) for the enhanced travel connectivity and ensured the safety of tourists.

Job generation

In terms of increasing employability, Frasco said the DOT has collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in the launching of the Trabaho, Turismo Asenso! last September in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cebu and Davao to fill in the gaps in the tourism workforce.

The collaboration has aggregated 157 tourism-related companies and offered a total of 8,310 jobs with 9,000 cumulative registrants.

Tourism training sessions have also been conducted for 25,770 industry stakeholders from tourism-related establishments, Community Based Tourism Organizations (CBTOs), local tourism officers, and members of the academe to equip them with the needed knowledge and skills for the advocacy programs of the sector toward a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive Philippine tourism.

 

DMW warns of fraudulent job offers on Facebook

by Jun Marcos Tadios, MB

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople warned the public, especially those seeking jobs abroad, against online illegal recruitment scheme offering jobs for Filipinos to work in Myanmar and Thailand.

This, after the government rescued 12 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were duped into working as online scammers allegedly being run by Chinese mafia in Myanmar.

Ople said she met with the rescued victims of a Chinese call center based in a remote area in Myanmar near the border of Thailand and was informed that most of the victims were offered a job as “customer service relations” and “technical support” staff in a Chinese-operated company.

“According to the victims, they were recruited online via Facebook and promised a monthly salary of P40,000 for six months of work as data encoders, customer service relations, and technical support staff,” said Ople.

“They were also made to believe that they would be working in Thailand but ended up in a ‘techno park’ in a remote area in Myanmar that took eight hours to reach by land travel and by foot,” she added.

The victims were part of a larger group of 12 people rescued from their Chinese handlers through the coordinated efforts of the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, the DMW, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“Our department wishes to thank Senator Risa Hontiveros. It was a communication between one of the victims and the staff of Senator Risa that triggered a lot of things. She met one of the victims yesterday and I met around 10 of the human trafficking survivors,” Ople echoed.

The victims confessed to Ople that they were assigned to a cubicle and given instructions through Google Translate.

“They (OFWs) were instructed by the Chinese to enter dating apps and other social media platforms to search and cultivate relations with potential bitcoin investors,” the official added.

Meanwhile, acting POEA Administrator and DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia signed Advisory No. 54 on August 2, 2022, suspending any further deployment to Myanmar.

The advisory warns aspiring OFWs from applying for jobs in Myanmar due to violence and armed conflict and the rising incident of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

 

Extended long weekend in 2023 to increase revenue in tourism – DOT chief

by Jun Marcos Tadios

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed Presidential Proclamation No. 90 which extended more long weekends in 2023.

(File photo courtesy of Department of Tourism)

Frasco said the DOT foresees the Presidential Proclamation as “an important stimulus to boost the country’s domestic travel figures,” as this will “allow travelers to stay longer in destinations and thus bring direct economic benefits to the local communities.” 

“We are very thankful to the President for making this move to adjust certain holidays, therefore allowing Filipinos to enjoy at least nine long weekends for the year 2023. This gives our kababayans more opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend longer quality time and trips with their families and loved ones,” Frasco said.

Under President Marcos’ vision for the tourism industry, Frasco noted that the DOT has identified the maximization of domestic tourism as one of its seven main objectives.

“The Presidential Proclamation corresponds to the Marcos administration’s thrust to maximize domestic tourism in the country, cognizant of its significant contribution to the recovery of the local economy and the overall growth of the country’s tourism industry,” Frasco uttered.

Based on Presidential Proclamation No. 90 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., there will be a total of nine long weekends in 2023.  

Starting on January 2, which falls on Monday, and November 2 (Thursday) have been added as special non-working holidays to be observed next year.

Moreover, April 10 was also declared as a non-working holiday in place of April 9 – the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan, which will fall on a Sunday in 2023.

In observance of Bonifacio Day (which falls on a Thursday for the year 2023), the proclamation declared November 27 – the nearest Monday to November 30 – as a non-working holiday pursuant to Republic Act 9492.

Signed last Nov. 11, Presidential Proclamation No. 90 amends provisions of the earlier issued Presidential Proclamation No. 42, S. 2022, or the declaration of the regular holidays and special (non-working) days for the year 2023.

“The long weekends will help spur economic activities, sustain tourism-related employment opportunities, and aid communities dependent on tourism,” Frasco furthered.

PH is world’s top beach, dive destinations

by Jun Marcos Tadios

The Philippines bagged the highly-coveted World’s Leading Dive Destination and the Leading Beach Destination for 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the two awards were given during the 29th World Travel Award (WTA) held in Muscat, Oman. 

“These global victories for the Philippines evince the unparalleled beauty of our country and the distinct warmth of the Filipino people,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“We sincerely thank the World Travel Awards and everyone from all over the world whose vote of confidence is timely as the Philippines fully opens its arms to welcome tourists to our shores,” she added.

To date, the Philippine dive portfolio continues at its four-year winning streak in world recognition.

The Philippines bested the world’s finest diving destinations like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and other distinguished islands like the Cayman Islands, Maldives, Fiji, Mexico, Azores Islands, French Polynesia, Galapagos Islands, St. Kitts, and Belize.

As the leading beach destination, the Philippines also topped other beaches globally, including previous awardees such as Maldives, The Algarve in Portugal, Jamaica, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Meanwhile, three partner tourism of the DOT also bagged recognition at the WTA: the famous Amanpulo (World’s Leading Dive Resort 2022); City of Dreams Manila (World’s Leading Casino Resort 2022); and the Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, as the World’s Leading Serviced Apartments 2022.

The DOT was also nominated as the World’s Leading Tourist Board this year, as well as Siargao as the World’s Leading Island Destination and Intramuros as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction.

The 29th World Travel Awards gathered the best travel and hospitality industries from its regional awardees across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America.

Earlier this month, Palawan was also hailed as the Most Desirable Island in the world, and Cebu has nominated Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World) at the 21st Wanderlust Travel Awards in the United Kingdom (UK).

The Philippine Tourism Board, through the Philippine Department of Tourism-Central Visayas Office, also placed 6th among hundreds of entries in the Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Category for its Dive7 Program. 

In September, the Philippines topped Asia’s leading dive, and beach destination, while the historic Walled City of Intramuros was Asia’s leading tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in Vietnam.

Earlier this year, Conde Nast Travel (CNT) also named the Philippines among the 40 most beautiful countries worldwide, specifically citing the remarkable cave system of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the mysteriously uniform Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and the panoramic views of the Banaue and Cordilleras Rice Terraces.

Time Magazine also named Boracay as one of the 50 World’s Greatest Places of 2022.

“These Awards are a source of inspiration for us in the Department of Tourism to work even harder as the Marcos administration ushers in the resurgence of the tourism industry as a major pillar of economic growth and source of livelihood for millions of Filipinos,” Frasco noted.

PH gets recognition anew; Palawan topped the 21st Wanderlust awards

by Jun Marcos Tadios, MB

Palawan was hailed as the Most Desirable Island in the world at the recently concluded 21st Wanderlust Travel Awards in the United Kingdom (UK), the Department of Tourism (DOT) disclosed on Thursday, Nov. 10.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the new recognition of Palawan reflects the beauty and competitiveness of the Philippines in word spectacle. 

photo: DOT

The award was given on Wednesday, Nov. 9, by the prestigious Wanderlust travel magazine.

Cebu was also nominated this year as the Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World) by the award-giving body.

“On behalf of the Department of Tourism, we thank the readers of Wanderlust Magazine for their love and support for the Philippines!” said Frasco, adding, “The recognition reflects the effort of the government to revive the tourism industry.”

Frasco vowed that the DOT and its attached agencies would continue to herald the beauty and rich culture of the Filipino people.

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“Rest assured that we will continue with our mission to herald the Philippines and the Filipino brand to the world and to ensure the continued sustainability of our islands,” she noted.

The Philippine Tourism Board, through the Philippine Department of Tourism-Central Visayas Office, also placed 6th among hundreds of entries in the Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Category for its Dive7 Program.

Earlier this year, Conde Nast Travel (CNT) also named the Philippines among the 40 most beautiful countries worldwide, specifically citing the remarkable cave system of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the mysteriously uniform Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and the panoramic views of the Banaue and Cordilleras Rice Terraces.

The following month, the renowned Travel + Leisure magazine also named the country’s tourist magnets Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu part of the 25 Best Islands in the World.

Time Magazine also lauded Boracay as one of the 50 World’s Greatest Places of 2022.

In September, the Philippines topped Asia’s leading dive, and beach destination, while the historic Walled City of Intramuros was Asia’s leading tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in Vietnam. 

The series of awards added to the country’s long list of recognitions earned at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOT chief highlights PH recovery in MAP assembly

by Jun Marcos Tadiosm Manila Bulletin

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has highlighted the government’s effort to overcome the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic by pushing through a much eager campaign to ensure the full recovery of the Philippine economy.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (Courtesy of DOT)

Talking in front of 1,000 attendees in the general membership assembly of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Thursday, Oct. 13, Frasco thanked the top management executives for spearheading the resiliency of Philippine tourism.

“We all have a vital role to play in our aspirations for the economic resurgence of the Philippines,” Frasco enthused.

MAP is a 70-year-old management organization composed of top-tier practitioners, educators, and officials from local and multinational companies operating in the country.

With the overarching theme “Tourism Outlook Beyond 2022,” the DOT chief underscored the importance of the private sector in carrying out institutional progress not only in the tourism industry but also in regaining Philippines’ fiscal stability.

Joining Frasco at the assembly were Philippine Airlines (PAL) President and COO Capt. Stanley Kua Ng and Manila Marriott Hotel General Manager Bruce Alexander Winton.

Frasco assured the MAP members that the DOT is in a “right place” in executing plans and actions to ensure the strengthening of tourism through institutional improvements in terms of connectivity, convenience, and equality in tourism product development and promotion.

Furthermore, Frasco uttered that the DOT shares a positive outlook on the potential of economic resurgence through tourism, as the country remains a top-of-mind destination among travelers.

“The success of the tourism industry means more jobs for our people, more active spending activities, a more productive workforce, sparking a recovery not only for the industry but also for the national economy,” she added.