The Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday that the number of German and Russian tourists who arrived in the country in the first quarter rose by 157 percent. To sustain this rate of growth, DOT said it would be joining more European trade fairs.
“The significant expenditure growth can be highly attributed to our presence in the International Tourismus Borse last year. More than strengthening established links, we will surely gain momentum from these salvos of travel trade fairs slated before the year ends,” Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said.
“We hope to get a chunk of outgoing Russian tourist expenditure which is reported at $16.1 billion in 2006, and continues to rise,” he noted.
The DOT is stepping up its campaign for high-spending travelers under the umbrella theme of Nature, Adventure and Culture.
“More than just diving, we are offering bird-watching, which is fast becoming a multibillion dollar tourism industry,” Durano said.
In line with this, a month-long bird watching activity package is being offered at a price ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 including airfare and lodging. A Bird Watching Guidebook for Europeans is also being prepared.
The DOT has successfully concluded its participation in three travel fairs, and three more are scheduled for the rest of the year.
The DOT said Europeans are already familiar with tourist destinations in the Philippines.
“The familiarity of the French market with our destinations is also due to our partnership with Koh Lanta TV show, which featured Caramoan and Palawan,” Eduardo Jarque Jr., DOT undersecretary for tourism planning and promotions, said.
Koh Lanta is the French version of American reality show Survivor. Koh Lanta shot its entire 2008 season in Gota Beach, Camsur, while last year it featured Palawan. The show is being aired in France, Belgium, Switzerland and North Africa.
“The country gained a lot of media mileage as we also hosted the grand finale of the show which was featured live on TV,” Jarque said.
Meanwhile, Jarque underscored the importance of having a Philippine honorary consul in St. Petersburg, which is instrumental in linking up with representatives of the city government.
“After several sales missions in Moscow, we have conducted research and surveys which revealed the potential of St. Petersburg,” Jarque said.
He said the new passenger port and reconstruction plans for Pulkovo airport provide opportunities to boost tourism for the Philippines.
“We are targeting travelers planning their winter holidays and trade players in search of new packages as according to a study 84 percent of total travel departures from Russia is from the leisure market,” Jarque said.
The country is presenting its prime destinations of sun, sea and sand for the Otdykh Leisure Moscow while health and wellness packages are the main attractions for the Luxury Leisure Fair.