DOT eyes more tourists from Europe

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is targeting an increased number of European visitors in the country as it participates in more trade fairs in Europe next quarter.

“Our presence in these travel trade fairs sustains our drive to bring in the European market which remains one of our highest spenders,” DOT Secretary Joseph Durano said.

The European markets outpaced the growth rates registered by other tourist source markets from January to July this year, the DOT noted. 

Arrivals from the Russia Federation grew 35 percent; France, 26 percent; Spain, 22 percent; and the United Kingdom,18 percent. The Scandinavian market, comprised of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, recorded a 16-percent jump in tourist arrivals.

The first trade fair is the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Incontri, the premier business-to-business travel trade event in Italy, which will be held on Oct. 24-26 at Rimini Fiera, Italy.

“This is somewhat a venue for business planning because budgetary considerations are decided straight away,” added Durano.

Last year, more than 30,000 tour operators and 2,300 stakeholders participated in the event. The event’s highlight is the two-day business negotiations involving presentation of new products, sealing deals with partners and forging agreements between travel trade buyers and sellers. 

This is followed by the Dive Show 2008 at Birmingham, England on Nov. 1-2 in the National Exhibition Center.

More than 300 exhibitors from 50 countries all over the world attend the event every year. 

Through the event, Durano said the country can promote various diving destinations such Batangas, Bohol and several parts of Palawan. Another diving prospect is the Caramoan Group of Island in Camarines Sur, the venue of KohLanta, the French version of the famous Survivor reality show.

Sogod Bay in Leyte, Malapascua in Cebu, and Apo Island in Negros that are fast gaining popularity for their well-preserved coral reefs and exotic marine life will also be introduced.