Philippines as the next luxury destination in Asia – The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) New York forges partnership with Virtuoso, the largest and most influential luxury travel consortium in North America, to position the country as the next luxury destination in Asia. With this partnership, PDOT aims to attract Virtuoso’s 1.5 million affluent clients to spend their holidays in the Philippines, and educate about 9,000 travel advisors about the country’s rich culture and island destinations.
Photo: (L-R) Virtuoso’s Senior Vice President Albert Herrera and his Account Executive Xabier Egurin meet with the Philippine Consul General for New York Mario de Leon and the Philippine Department of Tourism New York representatives Zeny Pallugna and Joey Chanco to discuss this marketing initiative. Joining in the meeting is USA and Orient Tours President Joebert Opulencia, who is a bonafide member of Virtuoso.
Philippines gears up for luxury travelers
New York, New York — The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT), through its New York office, forged strategic alliances with key travel consortia in North America to position the country as the next luxury destination in Asia.
PDOT is now a proud member of these leading and most influential travel associations or consortia in the US, namely: Virtuoso with 8,900 travel advisors, 375 member travel companies, and 1.5 million affluent clients; Signature Travel Network with 6,000 preferred travel consultants and 200 member travel companies; and the United States Travel Operators Association (USTOA) with 125 active tour operator members and 700 travel professionals. These partnerships have set a limelight to the country among its mass and emerging affluent market.
PDOT’s joint ventures include travel blogs and webinars to educate the consortia’s preferred travel consultants or advisors, advertorials on online and print publications, and attendance to annual conferences and business meetings.
With this partnership, the Philippines is determined to capture a portion of the wealthiest 5 percent of the American market that take an average 14.3 trips a year compared to the 4.8 trips by an average US Traveler.
“We are hoping that we could entice more affluent travelers to visit the Philippines and experience our unique and authentic culture and island destinations,” according to PDOT New York’s Tourism Officer Zeny Pallugna.
She also said that PDOT and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) are closely working together with high-end travel companies such as Abercrombie & Kent, Ker and Downey, Avanti, and Goway to push the Philippines to their exclusive clients thru joint activities.
While airlines and Online Travel Agents (OTAs) are the main sources of information about a destination, traditional distribution channels, such as travel advisors, remain important for customized itineraries and booking ground arrangements targeting luxury travelers.