PHL tourism officials woo French travel agents

In a bid to wash away the bitter taste of the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis, a series of travel advisories and the failed "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" tourism branding mess, Philippine tourism officials have started wooing French travel agents to the Philippines. Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim recently welcomed 50 travel agents, including two of the biggest travel companies in France, for a week-long destination workshop and familiarization tour of Philippine holiday destinations. “Our initiative to hold workshops right here in the Philippines allows frontline travel agents to see and experience for themselves what the Philippines has to offer in terms of attractions and activities. This year we are going beyond the sun and sea destinations. We want to highlight our cultural and heritage sites as well as health and wellness destinations," Lim said in an article posted late Friday on the government's web portal. The Tourism Department organized the Second French Tour Operators and Travel Agents On-Destination Philippines Workshop Presentation and Travel Networking Mart to boost interest and awareness of the Philippines as a choice destination in Asia. Three strikes to Philippine tourism Philippine tourism took three hits under the Aquino administration, including the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis that killed eight Hong Kong tourist and their hostage-taker, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. A second hit occurred in November, where six countries including France warned of possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines in the wake of a failed terrorist attack on the United States. The third hit involved the failed "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" tourism branding program, where critics questioned if foreigners can understand the slogan. Critics also questioned if the logo was copied from that of Poland's "Polska" branding. On the other hand, the Tourism Department said this year’s workshop also aims to counteract the negative effects brought about by the European Union’s (EU) ban on Philippine air carriers by introducing alternative destinations accessible by land and sea. Tourist numbers should've been higher The DOT article said that while tourist arrivals from France grew by 12.7% from January to September this year compared to last year, the increase would have been much higher without the EU ban. Lim said the Philippines is working hard to get the EU ban lifted by early next year. In the meantime, DOT will continue its marketing and promotional programs in France. “We must keep our presence in the market. And we do this by introducing alternatives to existing traditional Philippine travel programs," said Lim. Destination workshops and familiarization tours Familiarization tours were made to Rizal Park, Intramuros and old Quiapo district in Manila; Banaue and Hapao Rice Terraces in Ifugao; Tagaytay, Taal Volcano and The Farm at San Benito in Batangas; El Nido, Palawan; and Coco Beach in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. The destination workshop started on December 3 with two of the biggest travel companies in France giving presentations: Asia Voyages on the Ifugao Rice Terraces and on Heritage and Cultural tours, and Visiteurs en Asie on North Luzon/Ilocos Region. Philippine ground handlers Intas, Marsman and Annset, on the other hand, covered Boracay, Cebu/Bohol and Bicol, respectively. There was an e-learning Philippine sales training and interactive demonstrations on the tinikling and arnis. The week-long program ended on December 9 with a French Agents Sales Training Travel Exchange program at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel. The DOT’s office in Frankfurt and Team Europe in Manila organized the workshop and facilitated sponsorships from Cathay Pacific Airways plus full board from participating accommodation establishments. - TJD, GMANews.TV