Phl eyes more American tourists

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has taken the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign a step higher in a bid to lure more American tourists to visit the country.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said the Philippine government took the opportunity to launch the “more fun” campaign during the recently held 2012 Honored Country in the Memphis in May International Festival (MMIF).

“Memphis in May is a very good opportunity to showcase our country’s unique offering to an audience that is relatively clueless of what the Philippines is all about,” Jimenez said.

According to Jimenez, Memphis is the heartland of America, a market that the DOT has never explored in the past.

During the event, the Philippine tourism campaign enjoyed huge mileage, especially during its second week where the secretary’s visit also coincided with the International Week Salute to the Philippines.

Jimenez said the delegation that time showcased the best of Filipino talent in a cultural performance titled “Philippines: Live from the Islands.”

The foreign community was entertained by performances from world-renowned Filipino artists such as the Bayanihan Dance Troupe and the Worldwide Family of Modern Arnis.

In his speech, Jimenez said the Philippines’ core strength is its people, the Filipinos, who are the core of the campaign.

“It is not a scholarly or elegant Madison Avenue line. It is a direct description of the Filipino skill and natural instinct for turning all strangers into friends. And as what we have been treated since the time we arrived, I could say that we have met our match – the people of Memphis, Tennessee. You have not only received us as guests; you have also given up time and space to honor us as friends and that is, if you will allow me, the most Filipino thing I could think of,” Jimenez said.

An international gala was also held, bringing together over 300 Memphis dignitaries, celebrities, and Filipino-American guests to honor the Philippines and feature the host country’s excellent cuisine.

Filipino VuQo, the world’s first and only Vodka distilled from coconut, was served to the guests that evening and Jimenez invited everyone to come to the Philippines and experience the Filipinos’ genuine hospitality and unique culture.

“The Philippines as a country shares many distinct similarities with the City of Memphis that make the two destinations a great pair in terms of friendship and camaraderie,” Jimenez said.

“From the weather to our people’s warmth and love for basketball, the two share many parallels that make it very easy for our citizens to relate to the culture of one another and, in effect, make the travel much more convenient for the tourist,” Jimenez added.