The award was received by Department of Foreign Affairs officials on January 15, 2013, in ceremonies at Shanghai Peninsula Hotel, attended by officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, editors of the Shanghai Morning Post, and members of media in the People’s Republic of China. Other country-winners were Australia as “Best Tour Destination for Discovery,” Switzerland as “Best Shopping Paradise,” Korea as “Best Skiing Destination,” and Germany as “Best Destination for Art Appreciation.”
The recognition boosts the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) just-launched international 30-second TV commercial titled “Lovers,” featuring popular Boracay Island, to show the “momentous activities one can have in any of the Philippine shores.” It was a spin-off from “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”
More and more Chinese are traveling to the Philippines this winter season and they are expected to celebrate with Filipinos Chinese New Year’s Day on February 10, 2013, and Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2013. China is the fourth largest tourism market for the Philippines, next to South Korea, United States of America, and Japan. There were 233,174 tourist arrivals from January to November, 2012, a 5.36 percent increase from last year. The DOT is participating in major travel fairs in China and offering familiarization tours for travel agents and the media. The Philippine government maintains its strong presence in the Chinese market through promotion and strategic partnership with the local media.
We congratulate the Department of Tourism headed by Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., the Department of Foreign Affairs led by Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, and the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, led by Consul General Charles C. Jose and Tourism Attaché Gerard O. Panga, and Philippine Tourism in Shanghai Attaché Niel P. Ballesteros, all the best and success in all their endeavors on the Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!
