news to use TOP STORIES Philippines offers more fun
BY STEVE HARTRIDGE THE promise implicit in the Philippines’ new marketing slogan, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’, is readily delivered in a country known for its warm hospitality and unique attractions, said the country’s Tourism Minister. “Our new brand and slogan reflects the truism that The Philippines offers visitors a unique and competitive offering based around a combination of place and people,” said Ramon R Jimenez, Secretary, Philippines Department of Tourism.
AWWT expands Great Lakes options
Aqua_SellingLongHaul_May_2012ISS 4/13/12 1:37 PM Page 1
THE Great Lakes region is winning favour with North America specialist, AmeriCan & Worldwide Travel. The operator has added two new itineraries, the Grand Tour of the Great Lakes and Illinois’ Great River Road, both of which start and end in Chicago, Illinois. The 16-day Grand Tour’s highlights include the Wisconsin Dells, shopping Mecca Minneapolis, Bayfield – gateway to the Apostle Islands, and Traverse City, close to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National lakeshore. The 12-day historical Illinois itinerary follows in the footsteps of French explorers and follows part of Route 66. It covers state capital Springfield – once home to Abraham Lincoln, plus, scenic riverside Peoria.
www.awwt.co.uk
“Filipinos are the most engaged
people in Asia; we take it as a matter of personal and national pride to make sure our guests are having a good time – sometimes to the point where they can come across as ‘badgering’ people." The minister admitted that general
knowledge about the country, among both consumers and the trade, was
‘pretty much zero,’ but said that ‘slowly but surely we are putting money where our mouth is and investing more substantially in building awareness of what we have to offer.” “The Philippines is a young, modern destination…it does not conform to traditional notions of the Orient. We are looking forward to moving forward after 400 years of the Catholic Church and 50 years of Hollywood – that’s been the history of the Philippines until now! He added: “In addition to over 7000 islands, that are arguably the most beautiful in the world, we have plenty of surprises. For example, the capital, Manila, is just 90 minutes away from one of the world’s most active volcanos, Taal Volcano, situated within Taal Lake on the island of Luzon. It’s an incredible place and you can get there within an hour by bus from Manila.
www.tourism.gov.ph
Seychelles access better than ever
IN spite of the termination of Air Seychelles’ direct services from the UK, the islands are actually more accessible than ever before with close to 30 weekly connecting services using Emirates (via Dubai), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi) and Qatar Airways (via Doha). However, the Seychelles still saw a 17/19% drop in UK visitor numbers last year but the islands’ Minister of Tourism, Alain St Ange, is expecting this to improve as awareness of flight availability and the imminent appointment of a new UK manager takes effect. The tourism office is also planning to move into the Seychelles embassy building.
www.seyechelles.travel
Waterpark to boost El Gouna numbers
EGYPT’S El Gouna holiday destination – now with some 17 hotels – is to get a waterpark, due to open in July 2013. According to the El Gouna/Taba Heights UK representative, Orascom’s Nevine Coutry, the waterpark will help to boost visitation to the area. “Our priority now is to get people
back. The resorts are fine, the Red Sea is fine and there’s a living community there. What’s more the rates are amazing and Egypt is an affordable destination anyway. Occupancy levels are up to 60/65%
and we want to restore them to 85% year round.
www.elgouna.com
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