DOT steps up drive to attract HK tourists

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is stepping up efforts to bring in new tourist segments such as leisure, free independent travelers, expats and divers from Hong Kong.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said they are also targeting the so-called enriched explorers or those who have lived overseas and settled back in Hong Kong.

He noted that the Hong Kong market is still among the country’s top 10 sources for tourists with the continuing promotional efforts of the DOT and its attached agency.

This market, he said, has slowly rebounded, posting 5.8 percent and 6.2 percent growth rates in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Jimenez pointed out that this signals the country’s serious efforts to welcome back the travelers from Hong Kong and signify the importance of this market for Philippine tourism.

The sales mission will feature five of the country’s top tourist destinations: Boracay, Davao, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan.

Jimenez said the DOT is now expanding the country’s tourism campaign to give prominence to local destinations and offerings.

“We should show the world that our country does not only consist of one large mass of land but of 7,107 beautiful islands,” he said.

The plan, he said, is to invite people to experience the Philippines as a triple destination: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao - distinct in their offerings and distinct in their development contributing to a total experience.

Among the scheduled activities include meetings with the Travel Industry Council (TIC), the Hong Kong Security Bureau (HKSB), and the HK Tourist Board (HKTB).

Product presentations and business-to-business meetings will also be conducted with the Hong Kong travel trade group.

“Today, more than ever, we are going full speed in promoting tourism in the tourist-rich Hong Kong market — and in the rest of the Asia Pacific region,” Jimenez said.

“We ought to waste no time, as this is the most perfect time for our country and the Hong Kong to turn a new page in our bilateral relations. We must also take advantage of the increasing global interest on the Asia Pacific region and the ensuing opportunities arising from the ASEAN Economic Integration in 2015,” he added.