More firms join DOT’s Bangon Tours

MANILA, Philippines - More tourism establishments and travel companies have signified their continued support for the Bangon Tours program of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

TPB chief operating officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III said Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) is the latest to sign up by launching a Bangon Tours seat sale.

He said CEB will promote these tours through communication materials provided by TPB in all its organic ticket offices and partner servicing agents in the Philippines. 

CEB has likewise extended humanitarian flights for stranded passengers in Tacloban and undertaken rehabilitation efforts to aid victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Enerio said Manila Hotel, Diamond Hotel Philippines and EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, on the other hand, lead the hospitality sector supporters nationwide.

Members of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) are also participating in Bangon Tours.

These establishments prominently display the Bangon Tours poster and logo in their business premises and submit to the TPB updates related to the total amount donated to NGOs and foundations concerned. 

Other private companies, government agencies like Duty-Free Philippines and local government units such as the provincial government of Capiz have extended their support.

“While the affected tourist destinations in Eastern Visayas are being rebuilt, we invite everyone to travel more to the many 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,” Enerio said.

“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.”

The DOT, through the TPB, has initiated the Bangon Tours as a direct contribution to the government’s recovery and rebuilding efforts for victims and survivors of recent natural calamities which devastated several island provinces – some tourist destinations themselves – mostly in Eastern Visayas.

With the tagline “Bakasyon Mo, May Meaning,” the Bangon Tours run from Dec. 1, 2013 until Feb. 28, 2014 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.