Stakeholders expect good results from Miss Universe hosting

CEBU, Philippines – Stakeholders expect good results from the country's hosting of the 65th Miss Universe pageant on Philippine tourism.

Tourism advocate Robert "Bobby" Lim Joseph said that the good promotion of the country's major tourism destinations during the Miss Universe is a huge plus factor for the tourism sector, especially that it is lagging behind with other Asian contemporaries in terms of global advertising budget.

Joseph believes that everyone who viewed the Miss Universe pageant and pre-coronation events would bring millions of pesos in tourism receipts to the country, and increased international arrivals.

Likewise, Cebu Alliance of Tourism Operations Specialists (CATOS) president Alice Queblatin expressed confidence that the Philippines as a destination is once again in the radar of world's globetrotters.

"Although we don't expect an overnight result of the Miss Universe hosting, we are certain that the viewers, the families, friends of the candidates and foreign crews will be interested with the Philippines," Queblatin said.

According to Queblatin, Miss Universe related visitors, although cannot be quantified, may start to come in in the next six months or next year.

"It's good that we retained the 'It's More Fun in the Philippines' tagline," added Joseph explaining that the uniquely "only in the Philippines" experiences featured in Miss Universe promotional videos could ignite intriguing and exciting appetite for travelers all over the world.

The DOT is only operating at P1.8 billion or US$30 million advertising budget. Compared to other country destinations,  this kind of budget cannot go far in promoting the country to its target markets.

This is why stakeholders are crossing their fingers that the country's  hosting of the Miss Universe will bring in the tourists without having to  spend more for promotion. — (FREEMAN)