DOT rallies behind FIBA World Cup

The Philippines will wear its "puso" on its sleeve as the national government, through the Department of Tourism, threw its all-out support to its hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The DOT will give fans reasons to love the Philippines by marrying world-class basketball with world-class experiences in 15 destinations through travel packages available from 1 August to 30 September.

"We see the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as an opportunity to, first and foremost, re-introduce the Philippines to the world on the strength of its natural assets, award-winning destinations, and cities on the rise," Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.

"This is also the time for Filipinos to come together to support the Philippine team, as well as a chance for citizens of the world to remember their sense of nationhood."

While the action gets going in the world meet to be played at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, tourism experiences in Bacolod, Batangas, Bohol, Boracay, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos Norte and Sur, Iloilo, La Union, Manila, Palawan, Pampanga and Tagaytay promise to give a taste of colorful and wonderful Filipino culture.

Several travel packages to go "from courtside to paradise" are already available at discoverphilippines.travel with credit cards, GCash, Maya and GrabPay as payment options.

This is very much in line with both the FIBA local organizing committee and DOT's aim of sharing the Philippines' love for basketball and for life to the whole world.

"We see these efforts are not only for love of sport, but we also see the value of their contribution to tourism," Tourism Undersecretary and organizing committee chair Elaine Bathan said.

"This is aligned with the direction of DOT to introduce the Philippines as a sports hub and venue for many other sports and sporting events."