Pinoys abroad vow support for Pinoy Homecoming drive
MANILA, Philippines - Overseas Filipinos have committed to support the Pinoy Homecoming campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT) by organizing Philippine tourism promotional programs abroad.
DOT Assistant Secretary Domingo Ramon Enerio III said the leaders of overseas Filipino communities made that commitment at the Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora Conference held in Manila recently.
“Organized by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the conference was aimed at effectively engaging overseas Filipinos in development initiatives such as tourism promotion,” Enerio said.
The summit included a workshop on tourism initiatives that elicited such commitments, including updating each other on the progress of their respective promotional activities.
The workshop provided an overview of the Philippine tourism industry and the entry points for overseas Filipinos’ involvement, particularly the Pinoy Homecoming campaign.
Enerio said the campaign could contribute significantly to the Philippine economy by creating tourism jobs, livelihood and business opportunities for the relatives of migrant Filipinos.
The Pinoy Homecoming campaign was one of the major topics presented by Enerio, citing its benefits such as VIP treatment at airport hospitality counters, special discounts through the Balikbayan Plus card, and assistance for local tours.
The DOT, in partnership with Globe Telecom, has put up hospitality counters at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and at the Davao International Airport, and will open similar facilities at the Mactan and Subic international airports before yearend.
The airport hospitality counters serve as the distribution centers of gift packages and Balikbayan Plus cards for arriving balikbayans.
The cards will enable them to gain discounts from various tourism establishments and other entities, and special packages from Globe Telecom and other sponsors.
Started in December 2010, the Pinoy Homecoming campaign is being promoted through digital marketing, TV commercials, and onsite collateral materials, among others.
The campaign addresses the specific travel needs and interests of overseas Filipinos and encourages them to visit the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions and vacations.
“The long-term goal is to strengthen and build this market segment as a major source of visitor arrivals and investments,” Enerio said, referring to the huge population of second- and third-generation Filipinos born and raised overseas.
The campaign got a big boost from President Aquino when he issued Proclamation 181 declaring the years 2011 to 2016 the “Pinoy Homecoming Years.”
Signed last June 3, the proclamation provides the Pinoy Homecoming campaign and the Balikbayan Program with a strong endorsement from the highest official level, rallies the support of all government agencies concerned, increases awareness and interest of overseas Filipinos worldwide, and makes tourism promotion and development one of the priority components of the national economic strategy.
