DOT to add more fun to Phl exhibits at Yeosu Expo

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) will add “more fun” to the Philippine exhibits in the forthcoming Yeosu Expo 2012 in South Korea by including the amazing high-end products unbelievably crafted by the country’s poorest of the poor.

Such products, according to the DOT, will be put together by ECHOstore in operating the souvenir shop of the Philippine Pavilion in Yeosu, a southern Korean coastal city where the international expo will be held from May 12 to Aug. 12.

Around eight million visitors are expected to view the exhibits at the Philippine Pavilion during that period, where ECHOstore will feature the products crafted by indigenous groups, women inmates and poor cultural communities across the archipelago.

“In effect, the visitors, some 7.5 million of whom are Koreans, will virtually interact with the entire fun-loving Filipino nation through the ECHOstore products that reflect our culture and exude our creativity, passion and cheerful character,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.

“Even from the products alone and their types of natural materials sourced from ‘ridge to reef’ in the spirit of environment preservation, they (expo visitors) will see just how much fun it really is to visit and experience the Philippines,” Jimenez added.

The first specialty retail chain of its kind in the country, ECHOstore promotes fair trade and eco-friendly practices in its branches in the posh Serendra and Podium malls and Shangri-La Hotels in Metro Manila, and in Shangri-La Mactan and Marriott Cebu.

The ECHOstore items are consistent with the expo theme “The Living Ocean and Coast” since the materials used in their manufacture are mostly non-timber products in order to save the country’s mangroves and forest cover.

Nonetheless, the products will depict the country’s natural wealth of materials that take the form of amazing handcrafted innovations in home and holiday décor, lights and lighting, organic foods, personal accessories and gift sets, and a wide array of novelties to highlight the Philippine exhibits’ theme “Islands of Diversity and Seas of Connectivity” in a multi-sensory fashion.

So will the design of the Philippine Pavilion, which will essentially compete with those of the more than 100 participating countries in attracting the attention of expo visitors.

The Philippine exhibits are designed to lure tropical holiday-seekers, honeymooners and other special interest groups such as divers, beach buffs and adventure and eco-tourists, all making up a major slice of the Korean market.

“For this expo, we will introduce new diving destinations for the Korean market while highlighting awareness of our conservation efforts, such as in the province of Guimaras, a recipient of the Yeosu declaration project. We will complement this with the exhibit of the four different colored sands collected from various provinces, courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air, a POC sponsor carrier,” said Commissioner General Domingo Ramon Enerio III, DOT assistant secretary for planning and promotions.

The country’s participation in the expo is also geared at reaffirming the strong diplomatic ties between the Philippines and South Korea, showing support for an important trading partner, building on the country’s image as a center of marine biodiversity conservation, and generating awareness of the investment and retirement opportunities in the Philippines.

The Philippine participation in the expo is supported by pavilion partners Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), GMA Network, Getty Images, TV5, Cebu Pacific Air, SM Supermalls, Philippine Airlines, and the community of divers who have contributed in putting together an “aquarium of diving experiences” for the exhibits. 

Other details about the expo can be obtained from www.7107.co.kr/philexpo2012.