'More fun' campaign launched in India

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has officially introduced the country’s new campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” to the Indian market in the recently concluded OneWorld Travel Mart (OTM) held in Mumbai.

“We have taken advantage of the OTM to introduce our new campaign as this is one of the largest, longest-running and reputable travel events catering to a large cross-section of the Indian travel trade industry and consumers. The OTM has generated big outbound traffic from India,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said.

The Philippines bagged the Best Booth Design and Decoration in the International Pavilion category and was also awarded with having the Best Promotional Materials.

He said the Indian market is significant to the country due to its huge potential in helping boost foreign tourist arrivals.

Latest figures from the DOT showed that the Philippines recorded a remarkable growth of 24 percent in Indian arrivals.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is developing a number of unexplored and emerging destinations in the country to give visitors more choices to have fun in the country.

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) general manager Mark Lapid said they are exerting efforts to develop still unexplored and emerging tourist destinations, such as Caramoan in Camarines Sur, San Vicente in Palawan, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte , Samal Island in Davao, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte and several areas in Cagayan Valley.

“Although these areas are already existing tourist destinations, they are still not totally developed and need upgrading of facilities,” Lapid explained.

Thus TIEZA is seeking investors as well as providing the necessary assistance to local government units (LGUs). TIEZA extends infrastructure support, technical expertise and other appropriate assistance.

Under the Tourism Act of 2009, TIEZA as an attached agency of the DOT is mandated to designate, regulate and supervise Tourism Enterprises Zones (TEZ) as well as develop, manage and supervise tourism infrastructure projects in the country.

It is also tasked to supervise and regulate the cultural, economic and environmentally sustainable development of TEZs toward the objective of encouraging investments.

Lapid reported that TIEZA is also looking into the possibility of building cable cars as added attraction in various highlands in the country. “We are consulting experts to determine if it is viable to build cable cars in Mt. Apo, Mount Pinatubo, Tagaytay and Baguio.”