MANILA, 28 March 2024: The Philippines’ Tourism Promotions Board launched a recruitment drive for its TPB Membership Programme last week that includes participation in the Travel Philippines app.

Last year concluded with the TPB having 859 travel-related members throughout the Philippines. The intention is to recruit industry players from all travel segments, and one of the benefits is inclusion in the Travel Philippines app.

Under the country’s Tourism Act of 2009, TPB can open its membership ranks to entities, groups, and individuals in the travel trade, congresses, and conventions.

During last week’s membership drive event that attracted 350 travel industry players, TPB COO Marga Nograles commented: “In my short time with TPB, I’ve seen that you are truly the core of our tourism industry. We have so much potential to transform the Philippines into a global tourism leader, and this vision is only achievable through our collective effort.” 

TPB’s work plan for the year is to enhance its membership programme so members prosper in the digital age, by learning how to leverage market intelligence through a series of modules. 

One key benefit ensures members are listed in the Travel Philippines app. Members will be featured in the app’s directory and the destinations tab, making it easier for travellers to reach them when planning a trip to the Philippines. 

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco gave a keynote address at the event to show her support for TPB’s Enhanced Membership Programme. She emphasised that the inclusion of TPB members in the Travel Philippines app is a significant milestone for the tourism industry, as it increases connectivity between tourists and local tourism enterprises.

“The app gives new and existing markets access to information about TPB members. In other words, wherever you may be in the world, you can simply open your phone and access information directly linking tourists to your companies,” stated Secretary Frasco. 

(Source: TPB)

MANILA, 28 March 2024: The Philippines and Thailand should sign the “two-country, one-destination” initiative as early as this June, according to a report by the Philippines News Agency that quoted a reliable diplomatic source.

The PNA report said the two governments would ramp up promotions to encourage two-way tourism and tourists from third countries to visit both Thailand and the Philippines when in Southeast Asia.

“A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on tourism cooperation between Thailand and the Philippines includes the two-country, one-destination concept. One of the priorities outlined in the proposed MoU calls for direct flights between secondary cities in the two countries. For example, a new route from Cebu to Phuket in Thailand could be developed. That could involve supporting airlines to develop routes that tourists visiting the region could book to visit beach resorts in both countries.

In 2023, Thailand welcomed 28 million international travellers, and around 10 million visited Phuket from Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and China.

When the two countries sign the MoU, the challenge is to convince airlines that there is enough traffic to justify new routes, such as the one linking Phuket and Cebu.

Thailand and the Philippines mark 75 years of diplomatic relations on 14 June, which could be the date the MoU will be officially signed. Aside from tourism, cooperation between Manila and Bangkok continues to grow in trade, culture, education, and agriculture, among others. 

(Source: PNA)