TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
A virtual dinner was recently hosted by the Department of Tourism in Philippines for trade partners from the GCC. This informal gathering was a networking exercise to understand the current GCC market and the way forward. As GCC is way ahead of other regions in terms of vaccination drives, it is looking at better summer travel. At the event, SanJeet, Director, Durga Das Publications and Market Representative for the Middle East, shared the current realities in the Middle Eastern market, followed by an address by Daks Gonzales at the Head Office of Product and Market Development, Philippine Department of Tourism – Middle East.
Gracing the evening, Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso, CESO III Assistant Secretary for Product and Market Development Department of Tourism from the Department of Tourism in the Philippines, expressed her gratitude to those taking time off to attend the event and enjoy the Filipino cuisine. She reiterated the importance of understanding the market at present and shared the various initiatives taken by Government of Philippines to ensure safety and rebuild the confidence of the travellers, especially from the Middle East.
Leading CEOs from the Middle East attended the event, including Nasir Jamal Khan – Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism Agencies LLC, Jamal Abdul Nazar – Cozmo Travels, Asim Arshad – Orient Travel & Tourism Agency, Arshad Munir – SATA, Tarique Katri – Seera, Deepak Rawat – MakeMyrip, V. Jayaram – Sharaf Travels, Mathew D’Costa – Dnata, Sumit Archarya – BCD Travel, Manu Mehrotra – Al Tayer Travel Agency, Suresh Ahuja – Trans Arabian Air Travel, and Sai Rattan – SNTTA
The CEOs presented some very interesting facts about expectations, especially from the side of the locals in the UAE and KSA as key markets for DOT Philippines. Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso also spoke about the many concerns travellers had and opening the country in phases once the vaccination drive picked up, which was one of the main concerns of travellers. The constant change in rules & regulations and the need to keep travellers up to date were also areas that DOT Philippines would be working on, she concluded.
It’s more fun in the Philippines
Crescent-shaped beaches dusted with talcum powder-like sand; uninhabited tropical islands, lush impenetrable jungles bristling with unique wildlife, the thrusting soaring capital of Manila, historic cities, a diverse local cruisine and culture… the Philippines has all this and more. Visit and some of the 7,107 islands of the vibrant archipelago where English is widely spoken, the people are fun loving and life moves to a lilting beat.
