Phl reaps honors at Routes Asia 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) was honored in the Destination Marketing category during the 11thRoutes Asia Conference and Exhibition held last week at the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel in India.

The DOT was among the five shortlisted finalists for the Best Destination Marketing Award. Tourism Australia won the award.

Routes, an organization focused entirely on aviation route development, spearheads and operates world-renowned airline and airport networking events attended by representatives from airline, airport, and tourism authorities, as well as aviation-related companies and investors.  There is one global event, the World Routes Development Forum, and several regional events held in key markets throughout the year in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Routes Asia 2013 gathered more than 700 key players in the airline and airport industry for the presentation of awards and strategic networking on air service development. The awards are given to “recognize and reward the highest standards of marketing activities.”

Clark International Airport (CIA) bested six other international airports and won the “2013 Routes Airport Marketing Award - Under 20 Million Passengers”category.

Clark was recognized by the airline community and industry experts for its marketing initiatives and effective growth in passenger traffic, aircraft movement, and revenues for the year 2012. 

“This distinction marks another great leap for Philippine tourism and aviation. We owe this to the strong support from all our stakeholders, who have invested their resources and trust in our bid to make tourism work for everybody. This gives us a reason to celebrate, but more importantly to work harder in strengthening partnerships with various sectors to make the Philippine experience a worthwhile option for travelers and investors,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said.

“Our participation in Routes Asia is in line with our efforts to improve international air access into the country, a key strategic direction in the National Tourism Development Plan,” said DOT Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr., head of the Philippine delegation. 

These recognitions came on the heels of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s recent lifting of significant safety concerns in the Philippine aviation system and the rationalization of the Common Carrier Tax, which are both expected to help regain the confidence of foreign carriers to resume direct services in the country.