UK-based Pinoys tapped to market RP

The Department of Tourism has tapped United Kingdom-based Filipinos to encourage Britons to travel and experience the Philippines.

"Filipinos who have lived in London for a long time and who have earned the respect of their foreign peers are considered as the best sales agents and promoters of the Philippines," Tourism Attaché to London Domingo Ramon Enerio said.

The DOT recently launched the Travel Philippines program in London at the Baden Powell Conference Hall in South Kensington. The program aims to encourage UK-based Filipinos to invite tourists to visit the Philippines, Enerio said.

"The Filipino communities in the United Kingdom have become very influential especially in the medical services, or national health service, which the DOT would like to take advantage of in promoting the good name of the country to our British friends, colleagues, neighbors and peers," Enerio said.

Enerio stressed that there is a growing respect for the Filipinos in the UK for their being industrious, diligent, hard-working and dependable members of the workforce.

"Other Filipinos have also made their marks as leaders in business and industry, commerce, education and the arts," he said. "We have to take advantage of this goodwill and harness it for the benefit of tourism in the Philippines."

Enerio said the Filipino communities can conduct different types of activities such as medical missions or wedding and anniversary celebrations to facilitate the travel of their British friends to the country.

The DOT is giving incentives to Filipinos who will actively promote the Philippines and encourage tourists to visit the country, the official said.

He said interested participants may register as "marketers" with the DOT London Field office or visit the website www.wowphilippines. co.uk/travel.

Enerio said tourism industry partners — such as tour operators, travel agencies, hotels and resorts owners or airline companies — have expressed support for the program by offering exciting tour packages of the Philippines at very attractive rates.

Meanwhile, Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab said UK-based businessmen have also expressed interest in putting up international hotel chains in the country, which will provide job opportunities for many Filipinos.

Palabyab said a lot of queries on investment, specifically in putting up international hotel chains in the country, were received during the recent participation of DOT in the World Travel Mart in London.

However, Palabyab did not elaborate on the details of these potential investments. "Consultants of multi-national companies have shown their interest about the Philippines."

He said the agency’s recent participation in the WTM in London this month generated much enthusiasm from travel industry professionals around the globe, who are interested in bringing business to the country.

Palabyab, who led the Philippine delegation, said "the country’s presence in this annual event has proven its worth as a number of buyers continue to flock to the Wow Philippines! booth."

"It is not only the tour operators from Europe and other parts of the globe that congregate at our booth, but also prospective investors who are looking for new destinations to bring their business to," he said.

The DOT said the WTM is recognized as one of the most successful business exhibitions worldwide, adding the event is viewed as the only forum where the tourism industry can come together in an exclusive environment.

Among the industry partners in the Philippines who joined the team were Annset Holidays Inc., Baron Travel Corp., Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, T.R.I.P.S., Bayan Ko Travel and Tours, Rajah Tours, The Ananyana Beach Resort and Spa, Sampaguita Resort, Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa and Philippine Airlines.