The Department of Tourism (DOT) is bullish to promote and support the implementation of the recently inked Proclamation No. 181 by His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III that declares the years 2011 to 2016 as the Pinoy Homecoming Years.As the Overseas Filipino (OF) community continues to expand worldwide, the Government extends its support to the country’s “modern-day heroes.” Through Proclamation No. 181 and RA No. 6768, as amended by R.A. No. 9174, or the Balikbayan Program, OFs are given special privileges and benefits in recognition of their contributions to the growth of the economy in terms of foreign exchange inflow and remittances.
The Proclamation also aims to boost local tourism by attracting and encouraging the OF community to visit the Philippines, reunite with their families and enjoy their homeland any time of the year.
Says DOT Secretary Alberto A. Lim, “We foresee a substantial increase in tourism to the Philippines in the next five years and so on with the country’s progress more evidently seen. More developments such as hotels and resorts are happening in tourist spots all over the country, the roads are being improved and being built where there is none, and aviation has favored more travellers with affordable fares and more flights to choose from. We would like to support the President in his vision to prioritize our Filipino “kababayans” abroad upon their return and enjoy their homeland for visits. Thus, we will actively promote this proclamation.”
The Pinoy Homecoming campaign targets an increase of 25% in visitor arrivals from North America for 2011 over the 2010 figures.
The Department of Tourism is putting a high premium on Filipinos based abroad as they have steadily contributed to Philippine visitor arrivals. In 2009 alone, they made up over 22% of total arrivals. Secretary Lim said that the specific segment to target are Filipinos in North America - in Canada and the United States, as these are the two most common origin points of visiting Filipinos. The North American market ranks a high second in terms of tourism arrivals to the country, and about 60 percent of them are either Filipino-Americans/Canadians. “Focusing on these two countries will make the most impact in terms of revenues, and we intend to develop this particular market segment group,” he said.
DOT has partnered with Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and Globe Telecom to support the said proclamation and support the department’s Balikbayan Program.
Together, DoT, DFPC and Globe Telecom are set to launch campaigns that will become the driving force to encourage OFs, especially overseas Filipino organizations and business groups, to travel to the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions or vacations. The campaign aims to drive up tourism and appreciation for the country as well as to encourage expansion and investments and create opportunities for more Filipinos both locally and abroad.
Mr. Lorenzo C. Formoso, Chief Operating Officer of DFPC adds, “Duty Free Philippines Corporation supports the DoT and Proclamation No. 181 which seeks to show appreciation for our modern heroes who have greatly contributed to our growing economy. Through the Balikbayan Program, DFPC continues to demonstrate its commitment to boost development for the country’s tourism and to give balikbayans an efficient shopping experience with all the warmth and hospitality of home.”
The San Francisco leg of the Pinoy Homecoming and Balikbayan Plus is scheduled on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel Union Square San Francisco. A cocktail reception is arranged from 6-7pm for table top display of private sector companies and major sponsors, to be followed by a Presentation on Pinoy Homecoming and Balikbayan Plus Program from 7 to 9:00pm with Tourism Secretary Alberto Aldaba Lim giving the keynote address. Key travel trade companies, business and community leaders and media persons are invited to this event. Dinner with entertainment numbers will be held after the Secretary’s presentation.
Director Rene de los Santos of DOT San Francisco says, “the implementation of the Pinoy Homecoming and Balikbayan Plus Program is expected to bring greater awareness and interest among Filipino-Americans to revisit their homeland and avail of attractive tour packages being offered by Philippine tour operators. This promotional program is expected to expand visitor traffic to the Philippines from North America during its 6-year campaign, considering the huge source of potential visitors from United States with an estimated Fil-Am population of more than 3 million.”
The road show covering key cities of United States is participated in by tourism private sector, namely, Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa, Bluewater Resorts, CCT 168 Travel and Tours Corporation, Plantation Bay Resort & Spa, Rajah Tours, Shroff International Travel Care Inc., and TRIPS Travel. Major sponsors include Duty Free Philippines, Globe Telecom, Philippine Retirement Authority, Philippine Airlines and Western Union.
For more information on the program, contact the Philippine Tourism Office, PCG in San Francisco. It can be reached at 415.956.4060 or send email at pdotsf@aol.com, or log on to www.pinoyhomecoming.com.
The Proclamation also aims to boost local tourism by attracting and encouraging the OF community to visit the Philippines, reunite with their families and enjoy their homeland any time of the year.
Says DOT Secretary Alberto A. Lim, “We foresee a substantial increase in tourism to the Philippines in the next five years and so on with the country’s progress more evidently seen. More developments such as hotels and resorts are happening in tourist spots all over the country, the roads are being improved and being built where there is none, and aviation has favored more travellers with affordable fares and more flights to choose from. We would like to support the President in his vision to prioritize our Filipino “kababayans” abroad upon their return and enjoy their homeland for visits. Thus, we will actively promote this proclamation.”
The Pinoy Homecoming campaign targets an increase of 25% in visitor arrivals from North America for 2011 over the 2010 figures.
The Department of Tourism is putting a high premium on Filipinos based abroad as they have steadily contributed to Philippine visitor arrivals. In 2009 alone, they made up over 22% of total arrivals. Secretary Lim said that the specific segment to target are Filipinos in North America - in Canada and the United States, as these are the two most common origin points of visiting Filipinos. The North American market ranks a high second in terms of tourism arrivals to the country, and about 60 percent of them are either Filipino-Americans/Canadians. “Focusing on these two countries will make the most impact in terms of revenues, and we intend to develop this particular market segment group,” he said.
DOT has partnered with Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and Globe Telecom to support the said proclamation and support the department’s Balikbayan Program.
Together, DoT, DFPC and Globe Telecom are set to launch campaigns that will become the driving force to encourage OFs, especially overseas Filipino organizations and business groups, to travel to the Philippines for reunions, conferences, missions or vacations. The campaign aims to drive up tourism and appreciation for the country as well as to encourage expansion and investments and create opportunities for more Filipinos both locally and abroad.
Mr. Lorenzo C. Formoso, Chief Operating Officer of DFPC adds, “Duty Free Philippines Corporation supports the DoT and Proclamation No. 181 which seeks to show appreciation for our modern heroes who have greatly contributed to our growing economy. Through the Balikbayan Program, DFPC continues to demonstrate its commitment to boost development for the country’s tourism and to give balikbayans an efficient shopping experience with all the warmth and hospitality of home.”
The San Francisco leg of the Pinoy Homecoming and Balikbayan Plus is scheduled on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel Union Square San Francisco. A cocktail reception is arranged from 6-7pm for table top display of private sector companies and major sponsors, to be followed by a Presentation on Pinoy Homecoming and Balikbayan Plus Program from 7 to 9:00pm with Tourism Secretary Alberto Aldaba Lim giving the keynote address. Key travel trade companies, business and community leaders and media persons are invited to this event. Dinner with entertainment numbers will be held after the Secretary’s presentation.
Director Rene de los Santos of DOT San Francisco says, “the implementation of the Pinoy Homecoming and Balikbayan Plus Program is expected to bring greater awareness and interest among Filipino-Americans to revisit their homeland and avail of attractive tour packages being offered by Philippine tour operators. This promotional program is expected to expand visitor traffic to the Philippines from North America during its 6-year campaign, considering the huge source of potential visitors from United States with an estimated Fil-Am population of more than 3 million.”
The road show covering key cities of United States is participated in by tourism private sector, namely, Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa, Bluewater Resorts, CCT 168 Travel and Tours Corporation, Plantation Bay Resort & Spa, Rajah Tours, Shroff International Travel Care Inc., and TRIPS Travel. Major sponsors include Duty Free Philippines, Globe Telecom, Philippine Retirement Authority, Philippine Airlines and Western Union.
For more information on the program, contact the Philippine Tourism Office, PCG in San Francisco. It can be reached at 415.956.4060 or send email at pdotsf@aol.com, or log on to www.pinoyhomecoming.com.
