THE PHILIPPINES Department of Tourism (DoT) is targeting a 15-per cent growth in Singapore arrivals this year, as it continues to roll out its newest marketing campaign, It’s more fun in the Philippines, across the region.
Singapore is already the largest South-east Asian source market for the Philippines, contributing 121,083 visitors last year, a 13.8 per cent jump over 2010, according to figures from DoT.
Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily during the Singapore leg of the annual Philippine Tourism Roadshow, Marie Corazoon Jorda-Apo, director and group head, North America and Asia-Pacific, DoT, said the NTO’s marketing plan for the year would involve advertising through a combination of traditional and online media channels.
“We are going to unveil outdoor billboards this year, and are working out joint promotions with local travel (experts),” she said. “Due to our past success with online tools like Facebook and Twitter, this will continue to be used as part of our marketing efforts.”
According to Jorda-Apo, DoT will attempt to market lesser-known destinations such as Palawan this year. Boracay, Cebu and Bohol are currently the most popular destinations outside of Manila for Singaporeans visiting the Philippines, she added.
“We want to encourage Singapore-based travel experts to market Palawan, a beach resort which is undergoing significant development with the help of major foreign investors,” she said. “Our focus will be on Puerto Princesa, which the Philippine government intends to turn into an international gateway.”
A spokesperson for Pinnacle Travel Service Singapore said: “The Philippine’s beaches have always been (leisure) bestsellers for us. Palawan should do well too, especially since most Singaporeans are becoming more curious about what the Philippines has to offer.”
