DOT Hopes ‘Visit ASEAN@50’ Pre-Launch Participation Sends ‘Ripple Effect’ To Tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting their involvement in the “Visit ASEAN@50” pre-launch in Berlin to send a ripple effect to tourism and other initiatives that promote economic integration in the region.

DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. made this statement joining other ASEAN member countries during the pre-launch of the “Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration” campaign at the recently-concluded Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB) 2016 in Berlin, Germany.

ITB is known as the world’s largest travel fair and foremost business platform for global touristic offers. There were about 11,000 exhibitors and a total of 196,000 visitors.

The Visit ASEAN@50 was announced earlier in January during the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Manila. It will feature the region’s 50 best festivals and the 50 most memorable travel experiences within the ASEAN countries.

Special tour packages and travel initiatives in collaboration with partners will be rolled out to showcase the diversity of cultural, heritage and natural assets amongst the countries. It will be targeted at high yield regional and long-haul source markets

Bengzon led the 60-man delegation representing government and private sector. The group reported positive feedback from their business-to-business (B2B) meeting counterparts and other visitors at the Philippine Pavilion.

“The pre-launch takes great advantage of the ITB’s huge international exposure. We are looking at the ripple effect potentially through the 5,000 media delegates representing 75 nations, many of which are travel savvy,” Bengzon said.

“The success of the program will definitely push the other initiatives that promote economic integration in the region,” he added.

Bengzon, meanwhile, shed light on the “More Fun” brand and sustainable tourism initiatives during the Berlin Economic Forum, organized by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Germany, which covered topics such as creative economies, sustainable tourism and responsible foreign investments.

Speakers and delegates during the conference included government officials, economists, diplomats, academicians, writers, politicians and representatives from the private sector. (PNA) LGI/ANP