DOT gains global support from top PATA executives

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has gained the worldwide support of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in promoting the country as a global tourism destination.

The support was affirmed by PATA chief executive officer Martin Craigs and special adviser for events Sheila Leong in a recent visit to Manila, where they met with top Philippine tourism officials led by Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.

“We discussed strategies on how we could jointly promote Philippine tourism by popularizing our market positioning line ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ through PATA’s vast membership worldwide,” Jimenez said.

“So we (DOT and PATA) will reinforce that brand image by making the staging of the PTM (PATA Travel Mart) in Manila truly a lot of fun,” Jimenez said.

The PTM will be held at the SMX Convention Center, where the organization’s efforts are currently focused on bringing in its 2,000-strong global membership.

Expected to join them in the PTM are non-PATA industry players and local exhibitors, both seeking to have a share of the enormous business that the event can generate, including the global media exposure from its coverage by the international press.

To optimize the country’s benefits from the PTM, Jimenez has instructed the Philippine Host Organizing Committee (PHOC) to ensure maximum local industry participation.

The PTM, according to DOT Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz, can yield at least $5.2 million or P223.6 million in tourism receipts.

The amount does not include the actual business to be generated during the event’s three-day run involving large-volume wholesale and long-term supply contracts.

Being urged to join the event are Philippine-based hotels, tour operators, airlines, cruise ships, resorts, restaurants, shopping malls, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and various service providers and venues for meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions/events, among many others.

This would only be the second time for the country to host the event since 1978, when the first PTM was held in Manila. 

Founded in 1951, the PATA is the recognized authority on Pacific Asia travel and tourism, providing leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies.

For more information on the PTM, contact the PHOC Secretariat at 02-525-6110, e-mail at cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph or visit www.pata.org.