Page 44 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

44 July to December
2017

Tourism’s Bring Home a Friend Launch in New York

The Philippine Department of Tourism led the launch
of one of the Philippines’ signature tourism campaigns Bring
Home a Friend (BHAF) at the Philippine Center on 30
October 2017.

The event saw members of the Filipino-American
Community including second generation Filipino-Americans,
the travel sector, media, and influencers grace the occasion
during which the official BHAF campaign video featuring

popular Filipino actor Piolo Pascual was shown for the first
time in the US Northeast.

The evening’s guest of honor Tourism Some launch guests join DOT Undersecretary Katherin De Castro, Consul
General Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Tourism Attaché Purificacion Molintas at
Undersecretary Katherine S. De Castro enjoined the overseas the BHAF launch at the Philippine Center in New York (photos by PDOT-NY)
Filipino Community and all the Philippines’ friends in media
and the travel industry to invite join the BHAF program and
invite their friends and colleagues to experience the
Philippines’ firsthand. She noted the plaudits which the
Philippines’ most popular destinations such as Boracay,
Palawan, and Cebu, continue to collect from international
visitors.

Tourism Representative Purificacion Mollintas explained the mechanics behind the BHAF program and the many
incentives and prizes for those joining the Philippine Government’s efforts to invite more foreign tourists to visit the
Philippines. Under the BHAF, Filipino passport holders overseas could register in the program and have the chance to win
various prizes when they are able to invite a non-Filipino friend to visit the Philippines.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed all the guests and said that they could be in their own way
Ambassadors for the Philippines in their respective communities and workplaces.

The evening was made even livelier with a performance from popular Filipino-American singer Martina San Diego
and her band. Filipino food prepared by Chef Aris Tuazon of New York’s Ugly Kitchen and signature Philippine drinks such as
Tanduay Rhum and San Miguel Beer made for a fun gathering.

The Bring Home a Friend Program runs from 15 October 2017 to April 2018.

(Continued from page 43… ASTA Meeting)

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed the attendees, noting

that the United States continues to be the second-largest international tourism

market for the Philippines. She shared that tourism arrivals in the Philippines

continue to be on the upswing with an increase in visitor arrivals of 19.60% in May

2017 compared to the same period in 2016. For the first time in 2017visitor

arrivals breached the 500,000 mark in May 2017 which augurs well for a positive

tourism outlook for the remainder of the year. She thanked ASTA members for

their promotion of Philippine destinations, and encouraged them to experience the

Philippines and avail of familiarization tours available to industry partners. Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega poses with

the Filipina members of ASTA. (PDOTNY Photo)

ASTA President Ralph

Vasami spoke on behalf of the organization to assure the Philippines of

ASTA’s commitment in their mutually beneficial partnership.

L-R) Chip Kelly, Salvation Army; Joey Chanco, PDOT-NY; Mr Joey Chanco of PDOTNY presented the latest “Experience
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega; Allen Milman, Philippines” video of the Philippine Tourism Department, and also made
Salvation Army during the ASTA Meeting at the Philippine available promotional materials to the travel agents for destination marketing
Center last 10 October 2017. (PDOTNY Photo) to their clients.

Philippine Airlines, represented by Area Manager Joesyl Vasquez
and the PAL Marketing Team, were likewise on hand to provide the latest
flight offerings from the airlines.