DOT taps SM China malls for tourism promotions

BEIJING — The Department of Tourism has signed a memorandum of agreement with SM Prime Holdings Inc. to use the SM malls in China as venue for tourism promotion activities.

Under the agreement, SM will provide the exhibit and advertising areas across all SM malls for the DOT’s exhibits in China.

“SM has always believed that the tourism industry in the Philippines can be one of the drivers to enable us to sustain the growth of the Philippines,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said during the MOA signing.

According to Lim, the total population of the six cities SM is in stands at about 80 million.

“If we could just get five to 10 percent of that, I think that can practically double the tourist arrivals in the Philippines,” he said.

Lim added consumer traffic in all SM China malls was estimated at 300,000 per day or about 100 million per year.

“We’re very positive that we can contribute to tourist arrivals in the Philippines,” he said.

Tourism Secretary Teo said the agency is set to hold roadshows in all SM China branches starting next year to promote Philippine tourist destinations to the Chinese market.

SM is currently present in Xiamen, Quanzhou, Chengdu, Suzhou, Chongqing and Zibo. Construction of two new branches in Tianjin and Yangzhou is ongoing.