Philippine Department of Tourism expands Philippine presence in Taiwan

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has expanded its reach in the Taiwan market with the recent exchanges with the travel trade players in the cities of Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung.

According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, “Taiwan has traditionally been one of the Philippines’ major trading and investment partners. Our strategy involves not only reinforcing our presence, but also offering something new and reaching out to travelers based outside Taipei.”

DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. led the Philippine delegation on the week-long mission around Taiwan. He was accompanied by DOT Marketing Head for Team Asia Pacific Rica Bueno and Tourism Attaché to Taiwan Rene Reyes.

The Philippines being Taiwan’s closest tropical beach destination, the sun and surf was the main offering at the Philippine pavilion during the Taipei International Travel Fair (TITF).

Taiwan’s largest tourism event drew in over a hundred thousand business decision makers and potential travelers this year. A total of 861 organizations from 62 countries and regions set up shop in 23,500 square meter exhibit hall at the Taipei World Trade Center.

“The private sector participants were very pleased with how the fair turned out. Not only were they able to align with their Taiwanese counterparts, they also generated business with the tourists who booked their Philippine holiday on-site. One agent was able to make Boracay bookings for as much as 60 people,” DOT Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. revealed.

Concurrent to the fair, DOT representatives met with Taiwan’s top travel media outfits such as Travel Trend News, World Travel Weekly, Pacific Daily and Travel Rich to augment the promotional activities in the frontline. ICRT Radio, a leading broadcast station, set up a special on-air interview.

Widely-circulated newspaper Apple Daily ran the headline: “Enjoy your vacation: start with the nearest country –the Philippines.”

On-the-spot trivia games were held during fair hours, lending more hype for the Philippines. Prizes included Cebu Pacific air tickets and Philippine-made crafts.

A special Philippine Tourism Gala was held at the Shangri-la Far Eastern Hotel to celebrate the renewed marketing activities to the Taiwanese market. The event was graced by Manila Economic and Cultural Office Ambassador Antonio Basilio and Taiwan Transportation Minister Duei Tsai.

“This special dinner allowed us to align with the travel officials and influentials of Taiwan and see how the two countries can cooperate in developing each other’s tourism industry,” shared Tourism Attaché to Taiwan Rene Reyes.

Bi-lateral meetings with several Taiwanese airlines were set, opening the possibility of creating more charter flights from either Kaohsiung or Taichung to Laoag, Batanes and other gateways to major Philippine tourist attractions.

Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second largest city located in the southern part of the country. Taichung lies on the west-central area and the third most populous.

The Philippine contingent further held travel exchanges at these two cities, where 15 travel wholesalers and other tourism establishments met with Taiwanese counterparts.

Travel agencies Jeron Travel and Tours, Island World Travel, Shyang Fong Travel Service, and Happy Sun Travel and Tours presented their beach and water sport packages. Meanwhile, Faithfully Travel and Cebu ESL showcased the Philippines as an ideal place to learn English.

Patio Pacific, Dos Palmas, El Nido, Boracay Regency, Waterfront Cebu, and Bohol Beach Club featured their amenities and services. The Philippine Retirement Authority promoted the country as a retirement haven. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific presented their various flight services.

“Many of the Taiwanese operators were interested in including Boracay and Palawan in their packages, as these are relatively new destinations for their clients,” said DOT Marketing Head for Team Asia Pacific Rica Bueno.

To further build up on the enthusiasm for the country’s beach destinations, the DOT took part in the formal launching of a Boracay guidebook in the Mandarin language. The publication features popular Taiwanese TV personality and model Kelly (Xiao Xian).

Taiwan is currently the country’s sixth leading source of tourists globally and the fourth in the Asian region. A total of 112,206 Taiwanese nationals visited the islands in 2007. The DOT plans to bring up the figures and strengthen the country’s presence in this market in 2008.

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