MANILA, Philippines - Tourism establishments and travel companies have signified their support for Bangon Tours by signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Cebu Pacific Air has implemented the Bangon Tour Seat Sale with travel period until April 2014. CEB also promotes these tours through communication materials provided by TPB in all its ticket offices and partner agents.
According to Ramon Enerio III, TPB COO, The Manila Hotel, Diamond Hotel Philippines and EDSA Shangri-La Hotel lead the industry’s hospitality sector supporters nationwide. Members of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) are also participating in Bangon Tours. Agoda.com, one of the fastest-growing online hotel platforms worldwide, as well as government agencies like Duty-Free Philippines and local government units such as the provincial government of Capiz, have signified their support.
“While the affected tourist destinations in Eastern Visayas are being rebuilt, we invite everyone to travel more to the other 16 regions of the Philippines, visit as many of our fun destinations as possible and at the same contribute your share in our country’s recovery and rebuilding efforts through Bangon Tours. You also help increase domestic tourism, generate more livelihood for our fellow Filipinos, and draw us near the attainment of our target goal of 45 million domestic travelers for 2014,†said Enerio.
The DOT through the TPB initiated Bangon Tours as a direct contribution to the government’s recovery and rebuilding efforts for the victims and survivors of the recent natural calamities which have befallen island provinces – some tourist destinations themselves, mostly in Eastern Visayas.
With the tagline “Bakasyon Mo, May Meaning,†Bangon Tours will run through February with the offering of specially designed domestic tour packages in collaboration with the Philippine tourism industry’s travel trade as well as non-tourism companies and public sector agencies.
“Participating tourist establishments are initially offering special tour packages to 16 tourist destinations nationwide and more destinations will be added. These establishments are being asked to share at least five per cent of their net income from the tour packages/room nights sold via Bangon Tours. The percentage share will be directly given to the company’s chosen non-government organization or charitable foundation involved with the disaster-affected communities.â€
For details, please contact the Bangon Tours Secretariat at tel 525-0372 or e-mail bangontours@tpb.gov.ph.