MEDIA RELEASE

19 February 2016

PHILIPPINES: BEST SELLER IN ISRAEL TRAVEL FAIR

The Philippines took Israel by storm as the Department of Tourism (DOT) successfully
conclude its initial participation in the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM
2016) held at the Tel Aviv Convention Centre last February 9-10.
IMTM is the official and only professional exhibition for tourism in Israel which gives
tourism professionals from different parts of the globe the opportunity to meet with
colleagues, buyers and suppliers. The event drew 1,560 exhibitors from 46 countries and
more than 25,000 visitors from the travel trade and the traveling public.
The Philippine booth, highlighted by large panels featuring the different tourist
destinations in Banaue, Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan, was visibly one of the most visited
during the two-day fair. Spicing up the booth to attract crowds were performances by Rose
Fontanes, the Filipino who won the X Factor competition in Israel, Israel-based Filipino
Cultural Society which performed cultural dances, and flair bartender Dennis Adiuba who
demonstrated his magic, flamboyant flairtending skills. Filipino snacks given away that
include Cebu dried mangoes and chocolate peanut bars were also big hits among Israelis.
DOTs participation was capped by a full-packed country presentation that provided
Israel travel agents, media, and travelers with insights on DOTs programs and the countrys
multi-faceted attractions suited to the fun-loving and adventure-seeking Israelis.
DOT Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, who headed the delegation, shared that
Israel is one of the new markets that DOT has been targeting. We came to Israel because
we are certain that it will be a major source market for the country in the near future. Arrivals
from the Holy Land have tripled in the last six years highlighted by a robust 34% increase in
2015, said Bengzon.
Bengzon added: We laud the Philippine Embassy in the Tel Aviv led by Ambassador
Nathaniel Imperial for a spirited campaign to attract Israelis to the Philippines which includes
encouraging the highly popular Queen of the Desert program to be staged in the Northern
Philippines. Desert Queen is one of the most successful branded products in Israeli tourism
today involving a series of journeys for women offering soft to medium adventure activities
and 4x4 off-road driving.
Bengzon is looking forward to more cooperative programs with the Philippine Embassy
to sustain the huge momentum gained from IMTM including more familiarization trips for
Israel media and travel trade and the production of collaterals in the Hebrew language.
Joining DOT in the event were Ansett Holidays, Travel Experts, Inc., Flyeast
Philippines, Intas Destination Management, and Maman Aviation Ltd.
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CONTACT:

JAZMIN C. ESGUERRA
Director, Media and Communications Service
Tel. No. 459 5200, ext. 307
esguerra_jazmin@yahoo.com

DOT Media Release 19 February 2016

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