The Philippines sets its sights on attracting more visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. With a notable 10% uptick in arrivals from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the Philippines is gunning to become the go-to destination in Asia.
Led by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine delegation arrives with one goal: to showcase the nation’s diverse offerings.
Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, from the Tourism Promotions Board, revealed what tourists from GCC countries are looking for: “Number 1: Beaches. And number 2, they’re looking for customized wellness and relaxing experiences out of the city.”
Secretary of Tourism, Christina Garcia Frasco, recognizes the growing interest in international travel among GCC citizens. “Here in the UAE, we have seen a nearly 420% recovery from 2019 in terms of arrivals. And on average from the GCCs, we have over 100% in all of these countries,” she says.
“This shows you how much interest there is in the many offerings that we have in a country that hosts unforgettable experiences,” Frasco added.
For Jennifer Sanvictories, Global Head of Sales and Marketing at The Farm at San Benito, one of the representatives in the Philippine booth at the Arabian Travel Market, catering to Arab tourists is simply a smart business.
“There are over 145 million Arab tourists in the Middle East and also in the ASEAN region, and we’re here at the Arabian Travel Market to attract them to the Philippines not just for travel, but also for life transformative healing holidays, specifically at apartments in San Benito,” she explains, emphasizing the mutual benefits of cultural exchange.
“So there’s also a growing demand for Muslim-friendly destinations,” she added.
The 16 co-exhibitors, comprising hotels and tour operators, representing the Philippines at the Arabian Travel Market in the Dubai World Trade Center, share these sentiments. Running from May 6 to 9, 2024, the Philippine delegation aims to spotlight the diverse tourism offerings of the Philippines.
