DOT surprises Philippines’s 5 millionth visitor

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Tourism (DOT) officials on Monday dawn surprised the 5 millionth person to visit the Philippines this year.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Alan Canizal and Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. warmly welcomed and greeted the lucky Filipino-American female tourist at the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 2.

The lucky visitor, 23-year old New York-based Gabby Grantham, received a bouquet of flowers from the DOT officials which caught her by surprise.

Canizal said that Grantham will also be receiving a package tour with hotel accommodation as a prize for being the 5 millionth visitor in the Philippines.

“I thought I was in trouble,” Grantham said.

It was Grantham’s second time to visit the country while the last time was when she was still seven years old.

Grantham, born to a Filipino mother and American father, flew via Philippine Airlines flight PR103 and landed in Manila at 3:48 a.m. She planned to visit her grandparents in Cebu and explore Palawan in her two-week stay in the country.

Meanwhile, Canizal said the next to be welcomed and rewarded will be the 6 or 7 millionth foreign tourist.

Bengzon described welcoming the 5 millionth visitor as a very significant event.

“This milestone is a result of the collaborative and sustained efforts of all partners in tourism industry,” Bengzon said.

He said that motivation to push harder is better than the headcount.

“The fact that we have crossed the 5 million mark is that we are already in the big league,” Bengzon said.

“This will allow us to compete more strongly against other destinations in the region. After the 5 millionth mark the next will be 5 millionth,” he added.

DOT eyes to have 5.2 million tourist arrivals before 2015 ends and aims to double the visitors by 10 million next year.