Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya (3rd from left) opens the first Philippine Tourism Fair along with (L-R) DOT OIC-Regional Dir. for Central Visayas Atty. Helen Catalbas, DOT Group Head for North America and Asia Pacific Dir. Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo, Tourism Representative for Malaysia Melissa Ong, DOT Regional Dir. for Eastern Visayas Rowena Su Montecillo and DOT Regional Dir. for Central Luzon Ronaldo Tiotuico.
The writer with "beautiful" Philippine private sector delegates.
Selamat Detang (Welcome) to Malaysia, friendly greeting written on billboards; scattered along expressway from LCC Terminal Kuala Lumpur going to the main city.
It was indeed a warm welcome and superb experience for Philippine tourism officials and delegates as Malaysians fervently embraced and bunched up during the first Philippine Tourism Fair in Malaysia last July 20-22 at the Lower Ground Concourse Area of Berjaya Time Square in Kuala Lumpur.
It was a very successful event organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) promoting the new brand image, “ It’s More Fun In The Philippines “.
The tourism fair formally opened with simple program, cultural presentations and ribbon cutting lead by Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Malaya together with DOT officials.
It showcased unique offerings of the Philippines as a fun holiday destination for Malaysians. Participated by Tourism Representative for Malaysia Melissa Ong, DOT Group Head for North America and Asia Pacific Director Ma Corazon Jorda-Apo, DOT Regional Director for Eastern Visayas Rowena Su Montecillo, DOT Regional Director for Central Luzon Ronaldo Tiotuico, DOT OIC-Regional Director for Central Visayas Atty. Helen Catalbas and World Travel Group President Tunku Iskandar; as well as Philippine private sectors from Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express, Zest Air, Hotel Stotsenberg Clark represented by Lou Gorospe, Fontana Leisure Park Clark represented by Theresa Cruz and Alvin Wong, Sol Mirasol of Maharaja Hotel Angeles City, Ariel Jersey of EZ Map, Clark Development Corporation Tourism and Capas Tarlac Tourism, Destination Specialists Cebu, and Pearl Farm Resorts, among others.
They all made an important role in the event by establishing contacts and identifying business leads with members of Consortium of Malaysian travel agents and local tour operators like LT Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, YL Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, Travel Dynamics Sdn Bhd, and Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd, Discourse Team Sdn Bhd.
There was no boring day, thanks to daily fun activities, floor games and treasure hunt, not to mention free food tasting of Pampanga delicacies by Lailen’s Pastries.
More More fun by featured performances from dance groups Sinulog Dancers, Indak Turismo and band Velocity.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts Committee Head on Visual Arts and visual artist Nemi Miranda, Jr. was one of the guests during the event, and did spot sketches of the proceedings.
For DOT Central Luzon upcoming events/activities you may call the Pampanga office at (045) 625-8525.
It was exactly six months since my last Festive Flair. Never been so excited to write and keep in touch with my readers once more.
I’d love to hear from you please write me ning.festiveflair@yahoo.com.
