'More fun in Phl' set for int'l launch

MANILA, Philippines - The new country slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” debuts on the international stage this week, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez is leading a 41-member Philippine delegation to the annual International Tourismus Bourse (ITB) where they will present for the first time the new tourism campaign.

“Our participation in ITB this year is quite significant because it’s the first time for us to roll out the ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign in a global event,” Jimenez said.

The tourism chief said the Philippines will formally present tomorrow the new campaign in a party at the Felix disco club in Berlin, where Filipino talents will entertain invited guests from the travel trade and media.

“We are very confident that the new campaign will create a higher awareness level of the Philippines as an exciting and must-experience destination in Asia as we move towards our goal of 10 million foreign visitors by 2016,” Jimenez added.

Jimenez said the ITB would serve as venue for the Philippine delegates to establish and renew linkages with their industry counterparts in Europe and other source markets.

Every year, ITB draws about 180,000 visitors and 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries, he said.           

“About half of the travel business is traded through the international travel bourse,” Jimenez disclosed as he noted that ITB is institutional among travel wholesalers where direct selling and networking is done.

Jimenez said ITB, the world’s largest travel trade show, is set to be held starting today until Sunday in Berlin where there would be booth exhibits of national and local tourist offices, travel-related companies and other service providers.

According to Jimenez, a big percentage of travel packages are bought from the travel bourse as compared with travel packages bought from the Internet or any other mode.

The tourism chief said the Philippine booth exhibit this year covers a total area of 180 square meters, which the DOT will share with its private sector partners representing a record 19 hotels, resorts, travel agents and tour operators.

He said the destinations represented in the booth have expanded to include Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.

The Philippine stand will carry the new and colorful design of the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign. T-shirts, buri hats, buttons, baller bands, bags, and other giveaways carrying the new design will also be distributed.

The Philippines has been participating in the fair since 1985 and with the new Philippine brand gaining momentum, Jimenez expressed optimism that the country’s participation this year would be a lot more fun and successful.

Philippine delegation to the annual International Tourismus Bourse (ITB) where they will present for the first time the new tourism campaign.

“Our participation in ITB this year is quite significant because it’s the first time for us to roll out the ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign in a global event,” Jimenez said.

The tourism chief said the Philippines will formally present tomorrow the new campaign in a party at the Felix disco club in Berlin, where Filipino talents will entertain invited guests from the travel trade and media.

“We are very confident that the new campaign will create a higher awareness level of the Philippines as an exciting and must-experience destination in Asia as we move towards our goal of 10 million foreign visitors by 2016,” Jimenez added.

Jimenez said the ITB would serve as venue for the Philippine delegates to establish and renew linkages with their industry counterparts in Europe and other source markets.

Every year, ITB draws about 180,000 visitors and 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries, he said.           

“About half of the travel business is traded through the international travel bourse,” Jimenez disclosed as he noted that ITB is institutional among travel wholesalers where direct selling and networking is done.

Jimenez said ITB, the world’s largest travel trade show, is set to be held starting today until Sunday in Berlin where there would be booth exhibits of national and local tourist offices, travel-related companies and other service providers.

According to Jimenez, a big percentage of travel packages are bought from the travel bourse as compared with travel packages bought from the Internet or any other mode.

The tourism chief said the Philippine booth exhibit this year covers a total area of 180 square meters, which the DOT will share with its private sector partners representing a record 19 hotels, resorts, travel agents and tour operators.

He said the destinations represented in the booth have expanded to include Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.

The Philippine stand will carry the new and colorful design of the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign. T-shirts, buri hats, buttons, baller bands, bags, and other giveaways carrying the new design will also be distributed.