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Pinoy Abroad

PHL officials lure US-based Pinoys back home


Still reeling from the Aug. 23 hostage incident, the travel advisories of six nations against the country, and the failed tourism slogan campaign, Philippine officials intend to recover from such setbacks by presenting to US-based Filipinos the government's plans for 2011. The Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. this weekend said the plans were presented to members of the Filipino-American community during a reception at the embassy on Nov. 23. "Department of Tourism-New York Director Emma Ruth Yulo invited Filipino-Americans to visit the Philippines in 2011 and experience what the country has to offer," the Department of Foreign Affairs. Yulo said the US was the top source of tourist arrivals in the Philippines last year, noting that US-based Filipinos accounted for about 12.67 percent of total arrivals. Tourism translates to jobs and revenues not just for those in the industry, but also for sectors that are indirect beneficiaries of tourism, said Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa. Gaa is keeping his fingers crossed that Filipinos in the United States will visit the Philippines even more and help promote the country as a destination for their American friends. Philippine tourism is still recovering from the effects of the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis that killed eight Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. Philippine tourism officials are also recovering from the mess involving the "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" tourism packaging plan. On the other hand, at least six countries issued travel warnings claiming terrorist attacks in the Philippines are possible. Two countries — Australia and France — have modified their advisories. In her presentation, Yulo showed the natural wonders of the Philippines including the Palawan underground river which is the longest in the world. She also showed her audience the center of the world's marine biodiversity in Batangas and the Banaue rice terraces in the Mountain Province, as well as the new luxury resorts in Cebu, Marinduque, and Camarines Sur catering to the growing demand for high-end accommodations. US-based Filipinos traveling to the Philippines can get special airfare packages from Philippine Airlines, hotel discounts, and city tours, Yulo said. — VS, GMANews.TV

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