Department of Tourism Embarks On Selling Mission To Scandinavian Region
Mar 2nd, 2008 by Philippine Travel Blog
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The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to present the country’s diving, natural attractions, culture and tropical beach destinations during a selling mission to Norway, Sweden and Copenhagen this March.
Island beach getaways, diving and eco-tourism spots, spa and wellness attractions, as well as cultural destinations will be the main offerings to the European travel trade players.
“Our selling mission to Sweden last year proved successful. We plan to expand our reach to include the greater Scandinavian market, which we expect to pick-up and grow as much as what was experienced with the Russian market last year,†said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.
The business-to-business exchanges will occur successively at the Konserthus in Oslo, Norway, the Konferens Spårvagnshallarna in Stockholm, Sweden, and at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark from March 9 to 16.
As of this report, tour operators Annset Holidays, Baron Travel, Intas Destination Management, Rajah Tours and Travel, and T.R.I.P.S. Travel are set conduct tabletop meetings with their counterparts for joint marketing promotions.
Likewise, Sampaguita Resort will highlight the country’s world-renowned diving attractions to the watersports sector. Philippine Airlines is set to showcase the various access points to the country, as well as their own package tours.
Dos Palmas Resort and Spa, El Nido Resorts, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, Microtel Inns and Suites Boracay, and Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa will present their amenities and services.
Members of the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company will give the travel trade representatives a glimpse into the country’s culture and festivities with daily song and dance performances.
The world-renowned cultural group will also be staging shows at the Nybrokajen National Theatre in Stockholm.
DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices Oscar Palabyab will lead the Philippine delegation.
“The selling mission closely follows the ITB Berlin, which is the biggest international tourism fair. We will be building from the excitement brought on by this event, bearing in mind whatever insights we have learned about the Scandinavian market during the ITB,†Durano noted.
Visitor arrivals from Norway, Sweden and Denmark grew by 18.7 percent, 21.2 percent and 23.6 percent in 2007 respectively. The DOT is confident that the travel exchanges with these countries will increase tourist traffic and contribute to the department’s target of 3.4 foreign travelers by end of 2008.
