More American tourists eyed in RP despite US economic slump

Don’t count American tourists out.

Despite the prevailing economic slump in the United States, more than half a million American tourists are expected to visit the country in the coming months.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano yesterday expressed confidence that the economic instability in the US would not prevent Americans, including those of Filipino descent, from coming to the Philippines.

“Our worst projection of the impact of the prevailing economic slowdown in US is at least 500,000 American tourists which is our annual average of arrivals from US. But we are still expecting growth,” Durano said.

Durano added that the Department of Tourism (DOT) will soon mount an on-line service that would cater to millions of Internet users, particularly Filipino-Americans in North America.

Those who are planning a vacation in the Philippines can shop for various travel packages when the “Travel Mall” opens in mid-February, Durano said.

“Like a typical shopping center, the travel mall showcases Philippine travel packages offered by DOT-accredited travel operators and agents in North America,” he disclosed.

Durano said travelers can use the travel mall and be able to purchase airline tickets, make hotel reservations and even rent a car online.

The themed travel packages in the travel mall include adventure, beach holiday, culinary, diving, golf, heritage, honeymooners, medical and wellness.

The DOT chief said the travel mall is part of DOT’s 2008 tourism marketing campaign anchored on digital technology and more extensive use of the Internet.

Another part of the program is the videoblog campaign by Filipino-American Internet celebrity Christine Gambito of the “Happy Slip” fame.  

Gambito is presently in the country to do a series of videoblogs of the Philippines’ premier tourist destinations.

Upon her return to the US, Gambito will be releasing footage of her journey in the Philippines, Durano said.