Philippine destinations wow Hong Kong tourists

Department of Tourism (DOT) has won over the interest of tourists at the recent 2007 Hong Kong International Travel Expo as it highlighted the islands as the closest and most accessible playground for Hong Kong travelers.

The Philippine pavilion occupied 72 square meters strategically located at the exhibit hall, and carried the adventure and beach holiday theme. A tarsier mascot was a constant crowd pleaser and drew in queries on Bohol attractions and available tour packages. Other bundled tropical holidays to Palawan, Cebu and other major Philippine destinations were also showcased at the four-day event.

Bandang Kawayan of Polytechnic University of the Philippines gave the audience a sampling of Filipino ingenuity and culture by playing classical and popular songs on various hand-carved bamboo and narra instruments. Band conductor Professor Fred Calabig led the group of 15 young musicians. Goodwill ambassadors Hong Kong actress and singer Elanne Kwong, as well as commercial model and TV idol Law Chung Him, helped raise the excitement by dancing the tinikling.

The International Travel Expo in Hong Kong is considered one of the biggest global tourism fairs in Asia. The Philippines was one of the more than 600 international exhibitors coming from 60 countries and regions. An estimated 10,200 interested travelers and 500 representatives from the travel industry and media visited this year.

DOT Undersecretary for Special Concerns Phineas Alburo led the delegation comprised of DOT Asia Pacific Marketing Head Rica Bueno, members of her team and several representatives from the private sector.

Boracay Regency Beach Resort, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, El Nido Resort, Pearl of the Pacific, Calypso Diving/Pinjalo Resort, Marco Polo Plaza and Richmonde Hotel presented their top-ranking facilities and accommodations. Meanwhile, representatives from the Philippine Tour Operators Association, Happy Sun Travel and Tours, Polo Air and Planet Holiday conducted tabletop discussions with other travel wholesalers at the expo. Carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific also attended.

The uniquely Filipino sights and sounds presented at the expo caught the attention of Hong Kong’s widely circulated newspapers such as the Hong Kong Economic Times, Apple Daily, Sing Tao Daily and Takunpao. Travel Life Magazine, a leading monthly publication among Chinese readers, published a special feature on Boracay in its summer issue.

A total of 37,453 tourists from Hong Kong came to the country from January to April 2007, becoming the 5th leading source of arrivals for this period. The current figure reflects a 14.4 percent increase from the recorded tally in the first four months of 2006.