2011 is a good year to visit the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Now in its 25th year, the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) plans to increase the number of tourists this year by working with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to implement plans and strategies to add to the DOT’s existing programs. PHILTOA will be offering packages for travelers who would like to experience the Philippines beyond its usual attractions.

PHILTOA is the largest association of tour and travel operators dedicated to promoting inbound and domestic tourism in the Philippines. The association’s first general membership meeting includes a diverse set of speakers such as former Secretary of Budget and Management of the Philippines Benjamin Diokno, Governor Joey Salceda of Albay, and feng shui master Dr. So Chaw Yee.

“The increase in the number of tourists in 2010 is a great sign for the tourism industry,” says Cesar Cruz, PHILTOA president. “There are so many beautiful places in the country that people don’t know about and as part of our commitment to promote inbound and domestic tourism, we will be aligning our programs with the DOT’s marketing directions and programs for product development so we can come up with a variety of offerings that cater to the current market needs of the Philippine tourism industry.”

This year will be an exciting time for travel enthusiasts, especially with what PHILTOA has up its sleeve. In addition to the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart in September. PHILTOA also has several activities such as Luxury Night, where they will be unveiling the top destinations for travelers who are accustomed to the finer things in life, and the PHILTOA Partnering for Professionalism and Progress (4Ps) Seminars, which will give lectures to small-and medium-sized tourism enterprises in the following areas: accommodation, tours and transport operations, as well as the frontliners of the tourism industry—the tour guides, drivers, etc— on how to attract clients and maintain customer relations.

They will also be creating modules and travel guides that will help visitors get around Metro Manila better. These travel guides will show the interconnectivity between cities and include recommendations for the best places to visit.

“I’m confident that 2011 will be a great year for the tourism industry,” says Cruz. “We sincerely believe that we can achieve all of our goals by forging a strong partnership with the Department of Tourism. We’re working very hard to provide travelers with a unique cultural experience and on behalf of PHILTOA, I would like to invite everyone to support our projects.”