BY: JOSEPH JOHN J. PEREZ
LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 30 (PIA) -- The Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (ALMASOR) Tourism Alliance will launch a global campaign for tourism promotions as it joins the annual World Travel Market (WTM), the leading and biggest global event for the travel agency held annually in London.
“This is the first time that a local government unit (LGU) from the Bicol Region is participating in WTM,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol Regional Director Maria Ong-Ravanilla said.
WTM was launched at London's Olympia in 1980 before moving to Earl’s Court in 1992 and then to ExCeL London in 2002. Almost 46,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and representatives of the international media, converge on ExCeL London each year in November to attend WTM which is organized by Reeds Exhibitions. This year’s WTM will be held from November 4 to 7.
According to Ravanilla, the other provinces that will join the WTM 2013 are Bohol, Davao, Cebu and Palawan. “This is the right time for Bohol, Cebu and also Davao which is from the Mindanao area to aggressively pursue tourism promotions,” Ravanilla said.
Both Bohol and Cebu recently suffered a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that damaged historical centuries-old churches that are consistently drawing tourists. Meanwhile, Davao can redeem the tarnished image of Mindanao caused by the recent Zamboanga siege that worsened the peace and order situation in the area, Ravanilla added.
Ravanilla revealed that going with her to the United Kingdom (UK) to compose the Bicol entourage are Albay Tourism Officer Dorothy Colle, Mayor Salvadora Sanchez of Uson, Masbate, Sorsogon Provincial Administrator Robert Lee-Rodrigueza, Jessica Wong of Donsol Travel and Tours and representatives from the Oriental and Misibis Hotels which are both located in Albay.
Albay Governor Jose Salceda is expected to join the group after his official functions. Salceda is the ALMASOR tourism alliance champion.
“Work is taking me to the WTM in London, U.K. Albay will be one of the three provinces to be featured in the Philippine Booth during said travel fair, please help me pray for a smooth and safe journey to and from London,” Colle said in her social media account.
ALMASOR will set up a booth at WTM’s 300 square meters Philippine Pavilion which is a virtual tour of the Philippines similar to Nayong Pilipino, Ravanilla said. “This is part of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez’s new program of inviting top 10 provinces who are willing to spend for WTM and invest for global tourism promotions,” Ravanilla said.
UK is among the top five tourism markets of the Bicol Region. “Bicol has the chance to showcase its tourism destinations to the entire world in just one venue,” Ravanilla said.
This year’s Philippine delegation will be the biggest so far since the country joined the event in 1980. More than 40 exhibitors including the DOT will join the WTM 2013, DOT said.
"This is the biggest Philippine participation since joining WTM back in 1980 or any travel fair worldwide. A total of 90 DOT officials led by Sec. Ramon Jimenez will be at WTM,” said Susan del Mundo of DOT's Tourism Promotions Board.
Almost 5,000 exhibitors from 184 countries are expected to generate more than 1,859 million British pounds in travel industry deals during the four-day event that expected to attract more than 47,000 global travel professionals.
The DOT projects European visitors to increase by 65% to about 575,000 this year and the current arrivals to double to around 700,000 in the coming year.
"In the first six months of 2013, we had more than 60,000 arrivals from Britain. This elevated the UK to the Philippines’ top ten visitor markets for the first time – the only European nation on the list. With PAL’s new non-stop flights, we are sure those numbers will increase further,” Philippine Airlines (PAL) President Ramon Ang said.
Highlighting the country's participation at the WTM 2013 is the return of PAL flights to London also starting on November 4.
It is not just tourists who stand to benefit but more importantly our 664,000 Filipino kababayans in Europe, particularly the 250,000 living in the UK, who will now be able to return home more often via the airline that knows them best," Ang said.
Ang will lead a delegation of top PAL and government officials on the inaugural flight including the British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad and Philippine Ambassador to the UK Enrique Manalo will be welcoming the inaugural flight passengers. (MAL/JJJP-PIA5/Albay)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2591383120935#sthash.J5UXlHg1.dpuf
LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 30 (PIA) -- The Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (ALMASOR) Tourism Alliance will launch a global campaign for tourism promotions as it joins the annual World Travel Market (WTM), the leading and biggest global event for the travel agency held annually in London.
“This is the first time that a local government unit (LGU) from the Bicol Region is participating in WTM,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol Regional Director Maria Ong-Ravanilla said.
WTM was launched at London's Olympia in 1980 before moving to Earl’s Court in 1992 and then to ExCeL London in 2002. Almost 46,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and representatives of the international media, converge on ExCeL London each year in November to attend WTM which is organized by Reeds Exhibitions. This year’s WTM will be held from November 4 to 7.
According to Ravanilla, the other provinces that will join the WTM 2013 are Bohol, Davao, Cebu and Palawan. “This is the right time for Bohol, Cebu and also Davao which is from the Mindanao area to aggressively pursue tourism promotions,” Ravanilla said.
Both Bohol and Cebu recently suffered a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that damaged historical centuries-old churches that are consistently drawing tourists. Meanwhile, Davao can redeem the tarnished image of Mindanao caused by the recent Zamboanga siege that worsened the peace and order situation in the area, Ravanilla added.
Ravanilla revealed that going with her to the United Kingdom (UK) to compose the Bicol entourage are Albay Tourism Officer Dorothy Colle, Mayor Salvadora Sanchez of Uson, Masbate, Sorsogon Provincial Administrator Robert Lee-Rodrigueza, Jessica Wong of Donsol Travel and Tours and representatives from the Oriental and Misibis Hotels which are both located in Albay.
Albay Governor Jose Salceda is expected to join the group after his official functions. Salceda is the ALMASOR tourism alliance champion.
“Work is taking me to the WTM in London, U.K. Albay will be one of the three provinces to be featured in the Philippine Booth during said travel fair, please help me pray for a smooth and safe journey to and from London,” Colle said in her social media account.
ALMASOR will set up a booth at WTM’s 300 square meters Philippine Pavilion which is a virtual tour of the Philippines similar to Nayong Pilipino, Ravanilla said. “This is part of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez’s new program of inviting top 10 provinces who are willing to spend for WTM and invest for global tourism promotions,” Ravanilla said.
UK is among the top five tourism markets of the Bicol Region. “Bicol has the chance to showcase its tourism destinations to the entire world in just one venue,” Ravanilla said.
This year’s Philippine delegation will be the biggest so far since the country joined the event in 1980. More than 40 exhibitors including the DOT will join the WTM 2013, DOT said.
"This is the biggest Philippine participation since joining WTM back in 1980 or any travel fair worldwide. A total of 90 DOT officials led by Sec. Ramon Jimenez will be at WTM,” said Susan del Mundo of DOT's Tourism Promotions Board.
Almost 5,000 exhibitors from 184 countries are expected to generate more than 1,859 million British pounds in travel industry deals during the four-day event that expected to attract more than 47,000 global travel professionals.
The DOT projects European visitors to increase by 65% to about 575,000 this year and the current arrivals to double to around 700,000 in the coming year.
"In the first six months of 2013, we had more than 60,000 arrivals from Britain. This elevated the UK to the Philippines’ top ten visitor markets for the first time – the only European nation on the list. With PAL’s new non-stop flights, we are sure those numbers will increase further,” Philippine Airlines (PAL) President Ramon Ang said.
Highlighting the country's participation at the WTM 2013 is the return of PAL flights to London also starting on November 4.
It is not just tourists who stand to benefit but more importantly our 664,000 Filipino kababayans in Europe, particularly the 250,000 living in the UK, who will now be able to return home more often via the airline that knows them best," Ang said.
Ang will lead a delegation of top PAL and government officials on the inaugural flight including the British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad and Philippine Ambassador to the UK Enrique Manalo will be welcoming the inaugural flight passengers. (MAL/JJJP-PIA5/Albay)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2591383120935#sthash.J5UXlHg1.dpuf
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