After dominating the London Waterloo and King’s Cross Stations and converting the entire Potters Field into a spectacular tourism showcase in 2016, the Department of Tourism through its London Office (PDOT London) moved to the heart of Canary Wharf and showcased the “FUN” brand of the Philippines to London’s financial capital.
Images of the Philippines’ best islands, tarsier, rice terraces and Manila jeepney, among others, dominated the 30 digital screens and 40 static posters inside Canary Wharf’s malls while the experiential zone took center stage right outside the main station to welcome city workers every morning to the tune of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” from July 31 to Aug. 6, 2017.
Food sampling of turon and Filipino flavors of ube, mango and macapuno “sorbetes” saw the crowd fall in long lines while flair bartending show of Dennis Barela (multi-awarded Flair Bartending champion) wowed the crowd.
There were also cultural dances that drew the people, especially young professionals, to dance the Tinikling in their leather shoes and the virtual reality pods that gave people a glimpse of the Philippines.
“The Canary Wharf Station has 1.2M footfall a week. There are also more than 100,000 working professionals who hold office in the area. The consumer activation is meant toengaged the British consumers for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Philippines not only as a leisure destination but business as well,” said Gerry Panga, Tourism attaché.
Partners of PDOT London such as Premier Holidays, Hayes and Jarvis, Crystal Travel and Selective Asia created amazing holiday packages to the Philippines to entice the public to consider the Philippines for their holidays.
Their presence also made bookings readily available should anyone decide to book on the spot. The national carrier, Philippine Airlines also took part to provide special fares to the Philippines.
Selective Asia, one of the Philippine partners, also prepared a nine-Night Holiday to the Philippines in cooperation with PDOT London and Philippines Airlines.
As this developed, Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo called for an intensified support of tourism stakeholders when she met representatives from the local government unit and private sector of Davao and Zamboanga Peninsula regions.
Teo has directed all DoT regional Offices to utilize the P5- million funds for tourism–related projects to complement improved connectivity with visitor markets abroad and upgrade travel and accommodations services.
“I am also in close coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways to prioritize the construction and rehabilitation of roads leading to the tourist destinations in Mindanao, perhaps the most important of which would be the One point nine Billion-peso Island Garden City of SAMAL Circumferential road that the DPWH committed to complete before our beloved Mayor steps down,” said Teo, admitting that her native Davao City will always be her favorite destination.
For the Zamboanga Peninsula, DoT led by Regional Director Butch Blanco will further assess the potential and problem as a prime tourist destinations.
Zamboanga International Airport is being eyed as the new home of Duty Free Philippines providing local and international tourists a service-oriented shopping hub. Region IX is also being prepared to stage more international and national events.
The Tourism Department also paid tribute to the brave and fallen servicemen who fought for the peace and security of Marawi City in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense’s Killed-in-Action or Wounded-in-Action (KIA-WIA) program.
“We in DoT are sympathizing in the loss of your parent, sibling, spouse, and relative. No words can justify how we your partners in government feel as we lose patriotic brave men and women who gave their all for our country, the Philippines,” said the tourism chief, whose father Col. Ramon Tulfo Sr. was also a Constabulary officer.
Members of the audience shared tear-jerking testimonials of their fallen loved ones. An emotional photo montage of the Marawi heroes was also presented followed by a communal singing and a comic skit.
“On our part in the Department of Tourism, we will continue to promote Mindanao as a world-class destination in order to create jobs, especially in the countryside. In fact, we will be meeting with tourism stakeholders soon so that we can synergize all our efforts to show to the world the beauty behind our often misunderstood island,” Teo added.