Neighbourly visits up

With a heightened promotional blitz, the Philippines has managed to attract more visits from its neighbouring countries, particularly Singapore and Malaysia.

Tourist arrivals from South-east Asia to the Philippines have grown in 2007 by 16 percent over the past year. “Singapore and Malaysia remain to be the top source markets from this region, generating a total of 159,703 warm bodies with 15 percent and 23 percent growth rates, respectively, in 2007,” said Philippine tourism secretary Ace Durano.

“We have embarked on aggressive marketing activities in these markets starting off by having a bigger presence in the annual NATAS Fair in Singapore and MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur, making sure that the Philippine showcase is felt.

“A Philippines Beyond the Usual Country Fair was held at Suntec Mall in Singapore last June. We also tested the market in Indonesia through our participation at the Indonesia Travel Mart,” explained Durano.

The country is likewise eyeing the more well-heeled Vietnamese market.

The Vietnam International Travel Expo this September will serve as one more viable networking venue.

Durano said the Philippines will present the lifestyle elements of Manila and Cebu to the Vietnam travel trade this year.