DOT puts up counter at airport

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with Globe Telecom unveils a “special hospitality counter” at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yesterday as part of the tourism agency’s continuing efforts to assist visitors.

The so-called “Pinoy Homecoming (PH) Counter” gives balikbayans access to special tours offered at discounted rates plus a welcome pack that contains discount coupons for over 700 partner hotels, spas, hospitals and other merchants as well as a Globe OFW SIM pack pre-loaded with a P50 credit that they can right away use. 

The PH counter initially welcomed 140 balikbayans from Los Angeles and Seattle, USA yesterday with rondalla and Sinulog dancers. This DOT program complements the Balik Cebu campaign of the Cebu City Government.

The PH counter is the sixth of such facility installed by DOT in the country. It is being implemented by the DOT’s marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board.

With the slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”, the PH campaign is targeting the millions of overseas Filipinos with foreign nationalities who can increase the number of the country’s tourist arrivals.

Started in December 2010, this campaign has gained commitments of support from leaders of various Filipino communities abroad.

“We are one with the Department of Tourism in helping balikbayans feel instantaneously at home upon their arrival in the Philippines. Globe strives to help our expat Pinoys keep that connection to home via relevant and meaningful products and services that cater to the needs of overseas Filipinos and help their loved-ones in the Philippines stay in touch with them,”said Jerry Yntig, head of External Affairs for Visayas and Mindanao of Globe Telecom.

 DOT-7 Director Rowena Montecillo said that this program is part of DOT’s effort to increase by 25 percent the tourist arrivals in the next five years.

Montecillo said the program is designed to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to travel in the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions and vacations and for this year the campaign has been expanded to include countries worldwide especially those with large concentration of OFWs.  (FREEMAN)