‘Visit Philippines Year 2015’
The Philippines is renowned for its fun, vibrant and world-class tourist destinations
This year, the Philippines celebrates ‘Visit Philippines Year’. Special festivals and events are being held throughout the year based on the following themes: History and culture; lifestyle and entertainment; music and arts; and sports, adventure and eco-tourism. In the course of the year, a number of popular international musical events including MTV Music Evolution and Justin Timberlake’s ‘Take the Spotlight’ World Tour will be staged in the Philippines, in addition to special culinary events.
The Philippines’ no-visa requirement for many other nations including the GCC and its many popular shopping experiences, tranquil beaches and numerous family-friendly attractions, has resulted in an increasing number of residents choosing to make the Philippines their holiday destination of choice.
A total of 76,163 visitors from the GCC visited the Philippines in 2014, resulting in a 10 per cent increase compared to 2013. Amongst those, the number from Saudi Arabia was the highest at 43,483 travellers, which was an increase of 11.5 per cent compared to the year before. Visitors from the UAE were followed by holidaymakers from Kuwait.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) launched the “Kids Go Free Campaign 2015”, which has been designed exclusively for families living in the GCC with offers of exceptional value. The campaign packages were launched in Riyadh and provide two children per family under the age of 11 with an exciting array of activities, food, accommodation and other experiences all on a complimentary basis. Additionally, the packages allow families to combine both the Philippines capital Manila with a choice of one other exotic Philippine destination such as Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Davao or Bicol, allowing for both an urban and idyllic island getaway experience.
At the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market 2015, PDOT launched its new Arabic website, designed to encourage visitors to spend more time interacting with the destination online as part of its initiative to promote ‘Visit Philippines Year’ to the Middle East market.
The initiative is expected to generate greater outreach, engagement and awareness for the Philippines as an ideal luxury destination for exciting urban lifestyle and shopping experiences, family attractions, idyllic beach and mountain luxury resorts and outdoor adventures for visitors from the Middle East. PDOT is hoping that through such promotional efforts, including the Arabic website, demand for travel from the region will continue to grow in 2015.
With right-to-left reading navigation, attractive photography and descriptive and informative content, the colourful site showcases Philippines’ top-notch destinations, list of things to do, upcoming events and festivals, on-going campaigns and promotions and general information about travelling to the Philippines. Arab travellers can plan their holiday by exploring the website and reading informative articles and contents for a seamless experience with every visit.
Benito Bengzon, Undersecretary, PDOT, says: “The Philippines is renowned for its fun, vibrant and world-class destinations, which we can now extend to our Arabic visitors online. The new site is designed to encourage them to spend more time learning about the country’s top travel destinations. By providing a simple and informative tool within reach through their smartphones, tablets and PC, we aim to offer the same delightful experience and genuine hospitality online as we do in the Philippines.”
The new Philippine Department of Tourism Arabic website can be viewed at www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.ae.