Time was when overseas Filipinos returning home for a holiday would see two places: Manila, where the plane lands; and his hometown.
Not anymore, says Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr.
“Dati, pag meron kang balikbayan galing sa America, pag umuwi ng Pilipinas, dalawa lang ang pupuntahan niyan. Manila, dahil doon sila maglalanding, at home town. Dalawa lang,” Bengzon told The Filipino Times in an interview at the Philippines’ booth during the just-concluded Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).
“But, nakita namin na nagbago na iyan. Nowadays, pagdating nila ng Pilipinas, they go to Bohol, Palawan, Boracay because they heard so much about these places,” Bengzon added.
The tourism official, who has regularly been leading the Philippine contingent to ATM in the past years, said it’s time for OFs to change their “mindset.”
He explained: “Our mentality is pag nandito lang sa atin, dapat mas mura. Pag sa abroad puwedeng mas mahal. What if the offer is better? Why is it that the Hong Kong tourist is willing to pay $300 in El Nido (Palawan)? Because they are there for the experienc.”
“Amanpulo in Palawan is USD600 a day. But, maraming pumupunta doon, hindi lang mga foreigners, but mga Pilipino.”
About 31 key players, including travels agencies, tour operators, hotels and resorts and two of the Philippines’ major airlines, joined the agency’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign at the Middle East’s largest travel show.
