The 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers held in Manado, Indonesia ended on a high note as major accomplishments were reported and key measures committed in order to hasten integration, enhance connectivity and improve the quality of tourism services in the region.

A significant measure that the tourism ministers agreed to fast track is the development of a common visa for non-ASEAN nationals. This is also related to the goal of the regional bloc of attracting 107 million tourists by 2015. The combined visits to the ten-member nations totalled 79 million in 2011.

Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon J. Jimenez, Jr. Is optimistic that of this figure, 7.7% will be generated by the Philippines or around 8.2 million.

“We have just successfully rolled out our new branding campaign in the presence of international travel executives, national tourism organizations and media practitioners during the ASEAN Tourism Forum. We have caused excitement and we are expecting a surge of interest in our country and our people, the latter being the aspect that highlights our difference,” Jimenez said.

Talks were likewise advanced with dialogue partners China, India, Japan and Korea on various cooperation activities that deepen cross-cultural relations, improve exchange of information and technology and travel between and among these countries.

Feature News 1/15/2012 DOT - Media Center

Contact: Office of Tourism Information, Tel. Nos. 525-1805 / 536-0496 Telefax: 525-6538, e-mail: oti@tourism.gov.ph

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This year’s ASEAN Tourism Forum at Manado, Indonesia witnessed the new Philippine brand launch with the line - ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’

“ATF 2012 is a perfect platform to introduce to some 1,600 international delegates composed of buyers and sellers, the NTO community and media delegates,” Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.

Focusing on the country’s core strength, the campaign singles out what no other destination can offer - and that is the Filipino people. The Lonely Planet guidebook calls Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.’ Meanwhile, a constant truth that comes out in the passenger exit surveys is the “warmth and hospitality of the people.”

“Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable,” says the new tourism chief, who accepted the post in September 2011.

The Filipinos are already known around the world to be one of the happiest and warmest people on earth. In a survey conducted among expatriates by international bank HSBC, it was revealed that the Philippines is the 8th friendliest country for them.

The campaign hopes to enjoin the whole country in creating positive buzz of the tagline. The campaign was trending on Twitter Friday noon when it was earlier introduced to local media. Catching like wild fire, netizens flooded the web with creative ways to interpret the line through do-it-yourself-memes which could likely land on shirts, billboards, stickers and other collaterals.

Meanwhile, the ‘#1FORFUN’ local slogan aims to rally the Filipino nation to strengthen and sustain this well-appreciated fun character and be a “constant reminder to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun,” Jimenez added.

The presentation was well-received during the Philippine-hosted dinner on 13 January 2012 at the Sultanraja Hotel. The occasion was graced by North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Rosario Claudio Aguinaldo and Consul General Jose Burgos.

Exciting travel prizes were raffled off from generous sponsors Philippine Airlines and various hotels and tour operators. The high spirits continued until curtain fall with participants dancing to band music and cheering the world-class performances by top Filipino artists.

Feature Preview 1/14/2012 DOT - Media Center

Contact: Office of Tourism Information, Tel. Nos. 525-1805 / 536-0496 Telefax: 525-6538, e-mail: oti@tourism.gov.ph

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Already four years operating as a lodging establishment in Palawan, Daluyong Resort is a 16-room affair owned and managed by brothers Ruben and Clifford Tan and their wives, Maria and Deborah. Little did they know that their advocacy for green tourism as practiced in the resort would pay off when the Department of Tourism (DOT) made its usual search for nominees to the ASEAN Green Hotel and found the resort compliant of the criteria.

“We were pleasantly surprised as we only got to know of the awards when we were sent forms to fill and more surprised after being evaluated as compliant. We are firm believers of the green agenda and are happy that we have contributed through our own small way,” the Tans said during the awards at Manado, Indonesia, held to coincide with the 2012 ASEAN Tourism Forum.

Meanwhile, Mandala Spa and Resort Villas in Boracay Island in Aklan, born in 2001 as a day spa, evolved into a destination spa, reaping awards after next as best spa destination as well as best holistic treatment.

DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. shared their pride as he handed the plaques of recognition to Daluyong Resort and Mandala Spa and Resort Villas, received by the Tans and DOT Director Ma. Rica Bueno, respectively. “We at the DOT will try to provide the support environment that will attract more green investments. Through the TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority), we may be able to extend ample incentives and assist in looking for financing windows to make easy the start-up investments into green technology. We want to contribute significantly to the global effort of greening tourism,” Jimenez said.

The ASEAN Green Hotel Awards are held every two years. Its criteria covers environmental policy and activities, use of green products, collaboration with the communities and local organizations, human resources development, solid waste management, energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality management, noise pollution control, waste water treatment and management and toxic and chemical substance disposal management.

Feature Preview 1/14/2012 DOT - Media Center

Contact: Office of Tourism Information, Tel. Nos. 525-1805 / 536-0496 Telefax: 525-6538, e-mail: oti@tourism.gov.ph

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) is launching a new brand campaign to attract visitors to the country with the line - ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’

Focusing on the country’s core strength, the campaign singles out what no other destination can offer - and that is the Filipino people.

For example, the Lonely Planet guidebook calls Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.’

“Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable,” says the new Tourism Secretary, Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

The Filipinos are already known around the world to be one of the happiest and warmest people on earth. The campaign hopes to enjoin the whole country in creating positive buzz of the tagline.

As the international campaign is underway, the DOT is also developing a national initiative under the line ‘#1FORFUN’ to rally the nation.

“The national line is a goal, a constant reminder to ourselves why we can tell travellers it’s more fun here than anywhere else,” says the Secretary, “It needs everyone’s support for it to stay true—we need to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun.”

The long-awaited idea was developed by advertising agency BBDO Guerrero, appointed in December after an exhaustive pitch overseen personally by Secretary Jimenez himself and approved by the President and members of the Cabinet.

Feature News 1/6/2012 DOT - Media Center

Contact: Office of Tourism Information, Tel. Nos. 525-1805 / 536-0496 Telefax: 525-6538, e-mail: oti@tourism.gov.ph

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Following recommendations and comments from the tourism stakeholders and major players, the Department of Tourism is now set to introduce effective January 5, 2012 a modified yet enhanced online accreditation system that promises to transform processing of application for accreditation just a mouse click away. The new system is contained in a memorandum circular issued on December 15, 2011 under MC 2011-13.

This was the announcement made by DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation (TRCRG), Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin, in a press statement issued recently. She said that the new system will practically replace the old system of accreditation.

The new online system for tourism enterprises is meant to accord applicants a convenient platform for easy access to a simplified processing of application on the Internet without having to travel to and from the tourism regional office to complete their documentation. It features a new screen layout with various easy-to-navigate fields for online users. Even the number of documentary requirements to be uploaded has been trimmed down to the minimum. One key feature, however, is the imposition of a non-refundable initial accreditation fee which will be deducted from the total fees to be paid by the applicant at the final stage of the accreditation process. This imposition is meant to prevent the entry of unscrupulous individuals wanting to corrupt the system.

Under the new set-up, applicants for accreditation - whether original or renewal - will henceforth be processed under the new system effective January 5 while those whose applications are yet to be completed will be processed using the old system. The files of currently or expiring accredited establishments will automatically be migrated to the new system.

As provided for under Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as Tourism Act of 2009, the so-called primary tourism enterprises are required to seek accreditation from the tourism department on an annual basis while making accreditation voluntary for secondary enterprises. Considered as primary are the following: Accommodation Establishments (Hotel, Apartel, Ecolodge, Motel, Pension House, Homestay and Resort); Travel and Tour Services (Tourist Air Transport Operator, Tourist Land Transport Operator, Tourist Drivers, Tourist Water Transport Operator, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibit) Facilities and Organizers, Ecotour Operator, Travel and Tour Agencies; and Sports and Recreational Facilities (Tourism-Related Enterprises, Dive Shop, Amusement Park, Adventure and Ecotourism Facility. Considered secondary are the following: Heath and Wellness Facilities (Spa, Tertiary Hospital, Ambulatory Clinic, Medical Concierge); Tourism-Related Facilities (Department Store / Shopping Mall, Agri-Tourism Farms and Facilities, Restaurants, Specialty Shop, Rest Area, Tourism Training Center); Sports and Recreational Facilities (Museum, Gallery, Shooting Range); Tourism Frontliners (Tour Guide, Tourism Trainer).

Accreditation fees to be paid ranges from P1,400 – P2,700 (for economy – deluxe hotels), P700 – P2,700 (for Class A- Class AAA resorts), P700 (for tourist inns and apartels), P300 (for pension houses, motels, restaurants and tourism-related establishments), P1,000 (for spa and ambulatory clinics), P2,000 (for tertiary hospitals), P1,400 (for tour operators / travel and tour agencies), among other fees.

Documentary requirements common to all types of establishments are Mayor’s Permit, Articles of Incorporation for corporation, DTI Business name Certificate for single proprietorship, valid visa and work permit from the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Labor and Employment for foreign nationals, General Liability Insurance Policy for accommodation establishments, and working capital of P500,000 for travel and tour agencies, among other requirements such as valid franchise for transport operators, and certificate of compliance from MARINA for water transport operators.

All DOT – accredited establishments will be entitled to special concessions and privileges offered by the department such as, though not limited to the following: prioritized entitlement to tourism-related training programs, priority in provision of technical assistance (research and development), inclusion of establishment in the marketing and promotional campaigns - both here and abroad, and inclusion in the travel advisory and/or website containing list of recommended establishments for foreign patronage.

To start the accreditation process, applicants are advised to log on to http://www.tourism.gov.ph:8080/SitePages/beaccreditedstart.aspx Or one may log on to www.visitmyphilippines.com. For further details, please contact Accreditation Division, Department of Tourism, TM Kalaw St., Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Tel. No. (02) 524-9841 / 523-8411 or email: accreditation@tourism.gov.ph. Or call the tourism regional office in your area.

Feature News 1/3/2012 DOT - Media Center

Contact: Office of Tourism Information, Tel. Nos. 525-1805 / 536-0496 Telefax: 525-6538, e-mail: oti@tourism.gov.ph

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Mark your calendar!

Some 25 international balloon pilots are participating in the 17th Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Festival on February 9 – 12, 2011 at Clark Freeport Zone (Air Force Hangar) and they’re going to wow some 100,000 local and foreign spectators from various parts of the region.

As the cliché goes - it’s a weekend of everything that flies. Aside from the most colorful giant dirigibles, spectators are bound to witness special events like aeromodelling, ultralights, paragliding, sky diving, light aircraft demonstration, kite flying, airsoft speedball, among others. Be sure to be there in Clark as early as 5:00 in the morning to witness the balloons fly out but never to be seen again until about 5:00 in the afternoon when some of them try to fly in from outside Clark.

Not to worry, at least two balloons will be on display at the ground the entire morning each day to let children ride for a fee. Special shaped balloons are coming in to thrill visitors beyond their expectations. Be there when it happens! Entrance fee is pegged at P200 per adult including children. Tickets are sold at CDC Tourism Promotions Office, Tel. No. (045) 599 – 6235 Mobile: 0916-312-3241 / 0926-686-6347 (Attn: Sol Cabigting or Ellen Lorenzo) or at the balloon site.

It’s nothing but four days of fun and excitement!

For further details, please visit the event website at www.philballoonfest.net for the schedule of activities and other information.

Feature Preview 1/2/2012 DOT - Media Center

Contact: Office of Tourism Information, Tel. Nos. 525-1805 / 536-0496 Telefax: 525-6538, e-mail: oti@tourism.gov.ph

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