TOURbo marketing will help you help the country

A lot of people are saying that the wellness industry is going to be the next big thing. If so, maybe it’s time for our astute business and marketing students to pounce on the opportunity.

This September, Team Major Marketing Event (MME) of the University of the Philippines Junior Marketing Association (UPJMA) is launching a marketing-slash-advocacy project entitled “TOURbo Marketing: Boost Tourism to the Next Level!” in cooperation with Undersecretary Cynthia L. Carrion and the Department of Tourism. This project aims to promote the Philippines’ burgeoning wellness and health tourism industry to foreigners seeking to improve their lifestyle and wellbeing.

So instead of going the usual route of brand management and product promotions that marketing contests often take, Team MME, co-chaired by Rhett Rolan and Eena Saniel, decided to tailor their contest differently. In place of a competition of products and brands that big companies rarely take seriously anyway, TOURbo Marketing aims to be an avenue that will not only hone the skills of young marketers and future businessmen, but also greatly help the country in an industry primed for big things. The winner of this competition has the chance to have their marketing plan implemented by the Usec. Carrion and the Department of Tourism.

The Philippines is already recognized as a vacation destination, but the DOT and Team MME believe that, with our world-class spas, health centers, hospitals and wellness facilities, our country can also make an impact as a place for wellness and health services. “The Philippines is already known in Southeast Asia for its skilled ophthalmology and dentistry services,” Saniel says. “And we have two world-class hospitals, including The Medical City, which was recently accredited by the JCIA (Joint Commission on International Accreditation).”

Apart from our facilities, we of course have highly proficient, caring, English-speaking doctors, nurses and medical professionals. With wellness being a global industry, a boom in the industry means a boom in their livelihood.

This type of nationalism is what TOURbo Marketing hopes to instill in its participants. The challenge goes out to all juniors, seniors, and graduating students of any Metro Manila university. Participants must form a team of three to five members. There is no restriction as to the degrees and majors of the members. The only requirement being that at least one member has taken up at least three units of a marketing course.

Team MME, the brains behind the advocacy, is seeking contestants from the college ranks because they believe that students can give the Department of Tourism a fresh perspective. It is also a means by which college students can step out of the corporate box and utilize their knowledge and skills in service of the country. After this competition, hopefully its participants and onlookers will tap this well of potential for profit and growth for the benefit the Philippines.

Saniel has this message for prospective entrants: “The Philippines is our mother and Filipino is our brand. Be the marketers and boost tourism to the next level!”

For the complete mechanics, visit http://upjmamme.multiply.com, where you may also find the registration form. Deadline for registration is on July 30. For inquiries, call/text Cheska (0922-8769656) or Lori (0917-8205674), or email Team MME at mme08@upjma.org.

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Team MME would like to thank Usec. Cynthia L. Carrion. She has been very generous and accommodating despite her tight schedule. The anticipated success of our event wouldn’t be possible without her.

For questions, comments or corrections, please e-mail me at carlfrancisramirez@gmail.com.