7.3.2019 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 17
Destination Philippines
Building a stronger repertoire
Philippine food and festivals can be promoted as niche offerings to entice European visitors, writes Rosa Ocampo
A street dancer at the annual Masskara Festival in
Bacolod City, Negros Island
T
he Philippines has lined up a
host of initiatives to stimulate
greater travel interest from Eu-
rope, after this key source mar-
ket was stymied by travel advisories as well
as the temporary closure of Boracay.
The Tourism Promotions Board’s
(TPB) work programmes this year in-
clude a stronger presence at tradeshows
like ITB Berlin. And as marine activities
are a main attraction among Europeans,
TPB will also take part in Dive Birming-
ham and the Boat Show in Dusseldorf.
For the first time, TPB will participate
in non-traditional travel fairs like the
2019 Adventure Travel Show in London
and The Big Festival in Oxfordshire.
In keeping with TPB’s new marketing
strategy gunning for psychographics rath-
er than demographics, COO Marie Venus
Tan said the emphasis will be on alterna-
tive travel experiences like culinary tour-
ism, festivals, ecotourism and community
experiences. These strategies are meant to
entice travellers to spend more and stay
longer in the Philippines.
From January to November 2018, offi-
cial numbers showed that the Philippines
attracted 80,362 German tourists, 4.9 per
cent more than the same period in 2017.
As a whole, European tourists – includ-
ing Germany – increased by 8.1 per cent
year-on-year to 651,272, from January to
November 2018.
Irene Maliwanag, general manager of
Boris Travel and Tours, said that more
marketing and promotions in Europe will
help the Philippines shake off the stigma
of travel advisories – which do not cover
parts of the country that are being mar-
keted to tourists.
Maliwanag recently conducted her own
marketing and promotions in Germany
by launching dive tours last December,
eliciting fast and encouraging response
from the market, she told the Daily.
Nonetheless, Marjorie Aquino, senior
sales and marketing manager, Blue Hori-
zons Travel and Tours, reminded that the
Philippines should address its security is-
sues to improve its image. She also hoped
the reopening of Boracay and its contin-
ued rehabilitation would bring back the
longhaul market.
Travel agencies have also started pro-
moting more specialised and niche offer-
ings. New products such as festivals and
culinary activities – when combined with
traditional tourism offerings – can drive
up demand from European markets, said
Ruth Baconawa, sales officer, Rajah Tours.
She also noted greater interest from Eu-
ropeans in local Philippine cuisine such as
adobo, while local fiestas could be added
as part of a cultural tour package.
Kirschner Travel Manila’s general man-
ager, AA Yaptinchay, concurred: “We have
seen global interest in Philippine cuisine
and can capitalise on this further, espe-
cially by linking our cuisine to history and
European culture.
“Festivals are an attraction but maybe
as part of a mixed-activity trip, while
some of the bigger celebrations, like the
Sinulog (Cebu) and Kadayawan (Davao)
have potential to be the main attraction,”
noted Yaptinchay.
Market trends for 2019
AA Yaptinchay
General manager,
Kirschner Travel Manila JP Cabalza
Inbound manager,
Corporate International Travel and Tours
A new wave of interest in responsible
and sustainable tourism is what we
are betting on. The Philippines has a
wide range of products suitable for
this. The Philippine government is
also keen on developing tourism in
this direction. Domestic charter flights by Air Swift is a big
plus for the high-end, long-staying 10D/9N
German market. For instance, it cuts the six-
hour land and sea trip from Puerto Princesa
to El Nido to 45 minutes. Emerging destina-
tions like San Vicente, as well as Siargao, are
great products for our European clients.
What’s new
The Garage
Dishing out fun for the whole family, The
Garage in the City of Dreams Manila
combines virtual reality entertainment with
food and drinks. The attraction features
three zones – Mario Kart VR, Ski Rodeo and
Hospital Escape Terror.
Go around Manila
This new programme connects existing
tours in old Manila using the Light Rail
Transit Line One, with options for guided
or unguided tours. Tourists also have a
choice of getting off for tours or staying in
Hilton Manila
the train. At different stops, various options for
tours and activities await participants, includ-
ing visits to old churches, museums and parks
as well as shopping and dining.
The Retreat Spa
Okada Manila’s Retreat Spa is the city’s
newest – and perhaps grandest – centre for
relaxation. The facility offers a range of thera-
pies, from signature massages to body-mind
healing sessions using natural and organic
products.
Hilton Manila
Hilton Manila has opened its doors within
Resorts World Manila, heralding the entry
of the brand’s flagship in the Philippines.
The hotel offers 357 guestrooms, alongside
recreational amenities such as a lagoon pool
and 24-hour fitness centre. Aside from the
four F&B venues that range from all-day
dining Kusina to Shanghainese restaurant
Hua Ting, there are also six meeting spaces
such as the 545m 2 ballroom which can hold
up to 600 pax.
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