MANILA, PHILIPPINES - As if the scenic natural wonders and colorful local festivals weren’t enough to pique the interest of tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is promising something bigger and bolder for foreign visitors this year with Visit the Philippines 2015.

The year-long tourism campaign aims to highlight a series of international events, which will be hosted by the country for 2015 beginning with the arrival of no less than Pope Francis himself.

His Holiness, who captured the world’s attention with his attempts to bring the Church closer to the people, will be in the country from Jan. 15 to 19 for his Apostolic tour to comfort the victims of typhoon Yolanda and meet the faithful in Metro Manila.

Newly-appointed tourism undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr. says the event is expected to draw hundreds of Catholics from other nations, particularly in other neighboring Asian countries.

“The Papal Nuncio is handling the most of the matters related to the visit, but we are also helping in its promotion,” Bengzon adds. DOT’s overseas offices have already reported some foreigners from other Asian nations, who will be arriving this month specifically to see the Pope.

Aside from the Papal visit, another major event to watch out for is the Asia Pacific Cooperation (APEC) Summit in December 2015, which will bring in at least 3,000 delegates from 20 participating countries to discuss regional economic issues. Bengzon says DOT will take advantage of APEC’s international media coverage to showcase the country as a world-class tourist destination.

“Since the spotlight is on the country as the APAC host, we will get a lot of coverage. You cannot just look at it in terms of the warm bodies, who will come here to attend the meetings. You have to look at the long-term benefits we will be getting,” Bengzon explains. The World Trade Center Association will also hold a similar meeting at its 46th general assembly in Manila in April.

FUN FACTOR 

On a more exciting note, DOT will raise the level of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign a notch higher as it rolls out the red carpet for international acts like One Direction (March 21 to 22), Justin Timberlake (date still to be declared), Bastille (Jan. 5), The Vamps (Feb. 1), and the cast of the Broadway rendition of Beauty and the Beast (January), among others.

Visit Philippines Year also has something for the foodies with Madrid Fusion Manila (April), where 400 participating international chefs will meet to cook up a mix of well-loved Spanish and Filipino cuisines. The country will also host the ASEAN Food Conference (June), and the International Food Expo 2015 (May 21-24).

As for the art aficionados, the Philippines will also serve as venue for the Photoworld Asia 2015 (Jan. 29 to Feb. 3), Philippine International Furniture Show 2015 (March 13 to 16), Fringe Manila Arts Festival (February), Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival in Puerto Galera (March 6 to 8), Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival (February), and the Lifedance Sinulog 2015 (January) in Cebu.

Culture vultures will have their hands full with the celebration of the annual Aliwan Festival in Manila, which will bring together all the country’s fiestas in one venue, the 70th year of the Philippine-American Friendship Day (July 4), and the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival (July).

Sports junkies will enjoy the 9th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival (April 23-25) in Aklan, Lanuza Surfing Festival in Surigao del Sur (November), the 6th International Martial Arts and Games (August), the 8th International Martial Arts Competition (date to be announced), and major triathlon events in Cebu, Albay, and Bohol.

WAIT AND SEE 

But this is just a peek of the long list of events to be held in the Philippines, which DOT has registered in its website at visitph2015.com.
“Our promise [to tourists] for 2015 is the Philippines will remain very competitive as we continue to try to be the head of the pack,” Bengzon says referring to how other ASEAN countries are now taking notice of the country’s booming tourism industry.

When asked if DOT will launch the third phase of its “It’s More Fun” campaign sometime this year, Bengzon quips the public (and the rest of the world) would just have to wait and see. “We have to treat it as a business. We cannot telegraph our moves,” Bengzon explains.

This year, DOT released five TVCs of Davao, Boracay, Cebu, Manila, and Bohol, which are the most popular destinations for foreign travelers. He says the promotion campaigns “took the world by storm” and is now slowly dictating the flow of the tourism competition in neighboring Asian countries. “If you compare the TVCs now with what they have five years ago, you will notice they have strengthened the fun factor [of their TVCs],” Bengzon says.

Bengzon, however, urges Filipinos to continue helping in this nationwide tourism endeavor by promoting the country in their own small way this year.

“I would say it’s an opportunity for Filipinos to be actively involved in promoting the country as whole and promoting specific activities we have lined up,” Bengzon ends.
As for local and foreign tourists, who are already eyeing the Philippines for their vacations this year, DOT has only one advice: Start marking your calendars!

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