Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco engaged the tourism stakeholders of San Francisco in California in a productive discussion to explore market opportunities from the region.
Tackling matters such as connectivity, promotional and marketing efforts, sustainable tourism practices, and investment opportunities, Frasco apprised the panel of the various efforts and initiatives of the Department under the Marcos Administration.
“For many months now we have engaged in listening tours around the Philippines and around the world in order to gather insight from the partners.”
“For many months now we have engaged in listening tours around the Philippines and around the world in order to gather insight from the partners. From the efforts of collaboration that we’ve done, as well as the initial programs that have been instituted by the Marcos administration, the good news is that the Philippines’ momentum for tourism recovery has begun,” the tourism chief said.
“We’re very hopeful that the position that the US occupies as our Top 1 or Top 2 will be sustained.”
“The United States has always played a very important role for us in terms of being our top source market. As a matter of fact, for quite some time last year, the US was our number one top source market, shortly overtaken by South Korea. But we’re very hopeful that the position that the US occupies as our Top 1 or Top 2 will be sustained,” the tourism head added.
Joining Frasco was Consul General Neil Ferrer who expressed his appreciation for her visit, who was also in San Francisco to lead the launch of the DOT’s Bisita, Be My Guest Program.
“The launch of the Bisita Be My Guest Program is one of the many collaborations of our different agencies and units. We are very happy to be working with the Department of Tourism as we invite and welcome our growing number of visitors to our country,” Ferrer said.
Other participants of the meeting included Foreign Trade Service Officer of the Philippines Celynne Layug; Delilah Merano, Area Manager of Philippine Airlines; JR Calanoc, CEO of Dynamico Space; Fiel and Dr. Karen Pranga of Mayad USA; Allen Liao, Deputy Manager of EVA Air San Francisco Office; Juan Francisco, Vice President of Mango Tours; Carol Gancia, founder Kokak Chocolates; Pearl Parmalee, Filipino Food movement advocate; Heather Currie, environmentalist; Bill Brick, Operations and Partnerships- International Ocean Film Festivals; Abi Mullens, founder Picturehum; Shaina Manlangit, CEO Industry Finest; and Anthony Schlander, Fil-Am event planner.
Also present during the gathering were DOT Undersecretaries Mae Elaine Bathan, Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, OIC-Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Rica Bueno, and Tourism Attaché Soleil Tropicales.
