168 establishments join ‘Volunteer-12’ program

Some 168 business establishments are now offering attractive discounts and other special privileges to tourism volunteers and their foreign guests.

Such privileges form part of their support for the Volunteer-12 (V-12) program of Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, who calls on each of the six million Filipinos abroad to promote the Philippines as a prime tourism destination, each with a goal to attract at least one foreign tourist a month, or 12 in a year.

Serving as incentives to the volunteers, the privileges are specified in the newly released expanded directory of participating V-12 establishments.

Copies of the directory are now being distributed to V-12 participants and their incoming foreign guests, according to the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism.

PCVC deputy executive director Rosvi Gaetos announced the release of the directory, citing such new entries as health clinics, golf courses, salons and spas, among other establishments.

"These are on top of the original listing of transport firms, hotels, resorts, restaurants and shops," Gaetos said.

She also cited the recent participation of China Airlines and other Filipino-German ethnic travel specialists like Anderes Reisen, Kirschner Reisen, Philair International, Weyand Flug Reisen, Mabuhay Travel, Vollmer Reisen and Aurora Tours.

These companies are joining V-12’s "10+1" promo, which gives a free roundtrip air ticket to every volunteer who is able to bring in a group of at least 10 foreign tourists.

"Details of pricing and other conditions shall be announced through flyers and posters," said Tourism Representative Marie Venus Tan in her letter to charge d’ affaires Suplicio Confiado of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.

"We are presently finalizing the content of the promotional flyers and announcement posters, which we hope to disseminate to the embassy, the consulate general and all the consulates. We also intend to mail these flyers to all the Filipino associations and organizations in Germany, as well as provide details to all Filipino publications in the hope of reaching as many of our kababayans as possible," Tan added.

Meanwhile, 156 volunteers, who are based in various countries, have received letters of commendation from President Arroyo, Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Jose de Venecia and Gordon.

Each of these volunteers has brought in from five to 156 foreign tourists to the Philippines since V-12 began late last year.