Phl makes tourism pitch in UK

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine tourism sector is strengthening its promotions in the United Kingdom, as it successfully participated in an international travel trade fair.

In a statement, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said it recently took part in the World Travel Market (WTM) event held in London last weekend.

Tourism Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Frederick Alegre, who headed the Philippine contingent at one of the biggest international travel trade fair said the country earned the confidence of travel business clients.

“The message that we are trying to send should be clear. Philippine tourism, which has posted double-digit growth that is three times more than the global average, is experiencing a breakthrough phase,” Alegre said.

As of the first eight months of the year, foreign arrivals reached 4.47 million, up 10.61 percent from 4.04 million in the same period last year.

Alegre said private sector delegates, including Philippine travel and tour operators and airline representatives, met their counterparts from UK/ Europe for the B2B (business-to-business) meetings.

A media briefing was also held at the Philippine booth which was attended by over 20 British media and travel trade representatives.

“The Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit in Manila is definitely a market confidence booster,” Alegre said.

The tourism official emphasized the growing interest of British nationals for new destinations in the Philippines, with a particular interest in Siargao.

He added that Siargao is one of the destinations in Mindanao covered by the travel advisory from the British Foreign Commonwealth Office. 

“But the Brits remain the top source of visitor arrivals in this new destination,” said Alegre.

Tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom continued to rise in August despite the continuing Brexit challenges, posting a 6.36 percent growth in arrivals.

Consistent growth rates of tourist arrivals in the Philippines from other key markets in Europe include: Spain (17.6 percent), Italy (25.16 percent), Nordic Region (8 percent), and Ireland (16.47 percent).