Visit the Philippines Year 2015 introduced at London travel mart

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines joined the World Travel Mart (WTM) to promote Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015, a campaign to raise the country’s international profile next year, before global travel trade industries in London from Nov. 3 to 6.

Held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, the Philippines’ stand caught the eyes of international travel professionals. The Department of Tourism (DOT), with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), took the opportunity to present the destination and events-focused theme VPY 2015 which complements the country’s brand tourism campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

At the Philippines’ stand, visitors enjoyed watching the Dinagyang Festival cultural performances by the renowned Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe and Grupo Tribale disc jockey and drum beaters, songs by Filipino crooners and exhibitions by bartenders sharing cocktail mixes of home-grown liquor such as mango rum, Manille calamansi vodka, Don Papa rum and others, partnered with native Filipino food. Participants got a taste of the “fun” when they visit the country with Filipino-flavored ice cream as contest prizes.

The Philippines also hosted a Blogger Expo where travel connoisseurs shared their experiences in the country; Mission APP@PHL trivia contest where visitors were asked about Philippine tourism; and a short program thanking the members of the international community who aided the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

“The World Travel Mart is clearly an event that matters a lot in terms of generating tourism business for Philippine travel industry partners and creating awareness about the Philippines as a fun tourism destination,” said Domingo Ramon Enerio III, TPB chief operating officer.

“To make an assertive presence at WTM, we launched our campaign, ‘Visit the Philippines Year 2015.’ We are developing, organizing and shall be promoting a year-round calendar of events and activities that will make international and domestic visitors tour our country and truly experience that ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ These events consist of traditional festivities, commercial events, rural activities and special tourism projects – all integrated into the subject of music and arts, lifestyle and entertainment, history and culture, business and investment, and adventure, sports and ecotourism,” Enerio added.

At WTM, DOT and TPB highlighted destinations specifically catering to European holiday-makers such as Huma Island in Coron-Busuanga, Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Camarines Sur and Siargao. They also assisted participating establishments from the Philippines in networking with other travel professionals and gaining media mileage during the event.

With the country’s participation at WTM, DOT and TPB hope the Philippines gains a competitive advantage in the global travel trade and reach as many tourists as possible for the success of Visit the Philippines Year 2015.