Enriching the tourism industry through knowledge-sharing

Arnold Gonzales, TPB DCOO; San Jeet, DoT Market Representative for India; Marie Venus Tan, TPB COO; Carlos Mori Rodriguez, EON Stakeholders Relations Group Chief Innovation Officer; and Mohd Akil Bin Mohd Yusof, MATTA Deputy President pose after the PHITEX seminar.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) — the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DoT) — recently gathered industry stakeholders, tour operators, hotels and resorts, and members of the academe for a one-day discussion on the latest trends in tourism marketing and strategies on how to provide mature and emerging markets an optimal experience to make them stay longer and spend more.

The seminar, which had the theme “Philippine Tourism: Trailblazing Responsible Travel and Inclusive Growth,” is part of this year’s Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), the biggest government-organized travel trade event in the country with over 100 local sellers and over 150 international buyers participating.

Joining the impressive roster of speakers were Thomas Graham, Co-founder of MAD (Make A Difference) Travel, who talked about how sustainable tourism is changing the lives of people in communities; Carlos Mori Rodriguez, chief innovation officer of EON The Stakeholders Relations Group, who shared insights about the new breed of OFWs in the UAE; and San Jeet, the DoT market representative for India, who discussed the profile of the Indian market.

Also sharing their expertise were Donald Patrick Lim, country chief executive officer of Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines, who shared how the digital age is changing the tourism landscape; Mohd Akil Bin Mohd Yusof, deputy president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and Nelly Nuezca Dillera, deputy executive director of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), shared points on how to cater to the Muslim market.

“With the diversification of UAE industries, there is a growing number of Filipinos who work as professionals in industries outside oil and construction. Unfortunately, these new breed of OFW with disposable income prefer to travel to other destinations than tour the Philippines,” said Rodriguez.

“To capture a chunk of that market, industry stakeholders in the Philippines should customize tours that focus on unique and luxurious experiences, especially since these are spending tourists who are willing to splurge on quality accommodations, sightseeing, relaxation and shopping,” Jeet said.

For Graham, he sees great opportunity in sustainable tourism as it meets both profitability and viability.