'Survivor' TV show latest RP come-on for tourists from Israel

MANILA, Philppines — The reality television show “Survivor" is one of the latest come-ons for Israeli tourists to visit the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. An article on the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) said Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano mentioned the television show during a promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination. “Secretary Durano made special mention of ‘Survivor Israel’ which was recently filmed in the Philippines and will begin airing in October 2009. The series, consisting of 40 hours of airtime, would show different locations that could match the special interests of Israeli travelers," the DFA said. Durano added that the Philippines also offers medium- to high-end locations for discriminating vacationers. In promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination for Israelis, Durano met with top Israeli businessmen, tour operators and the media at the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv. The meeting was organized by Ron Doron, chairman of the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce. Participants included representatives from Ophir Tours (one of the largest tour operators in Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth (daily newspaper in Israel), Vered Hasharon Travel and Tours, and Yambateva. - GMANews.TV