Philippines hot again

Ollie Quiniquini, August 25-31 2006.

Wariness subsides as terror attacks become global

MANILA – The Philippines is making a major comeback in European wholesaler brochures.

Blum: alternative to Thailand.

Blue Horizons Travel and Tours CEO, Mr Patrick Blum, said Kuoni Switzerland and Meier’s Weltreisen would be featuring basic Philippine programmes for the next season, from November onwards.

He told TTG Asia: “Meier’s Weltreisen is easily the market leader to Asia out of Germany. I would expect 1,000 to 2,000 people in the first year of operation.

“As for Kuoni, it is more of a prestige account as there are specialists in Switzerland who produce more than them.”

Meier’s Weltreisen was Blue Horizon’s top account until the wholesaler dropped the Philippines a few years ago due to the political climate at the time.

Mr Blum said: “Passenger numbers had dropped to a level where it was not worthwhile for them to put eight pages on the Philippines in the brochure. But after the tsunami, they must have realised they banked too much on Bangkok and Pattaya. They were standing on one leg with Thailand and needed alternatives.”

According to Marsman Drysdale Travel director of tourism services, Mr Pedro Young, Gebeco will also feature the Philippines in their January to December 2007 brochure. He said: “They are in the final stage of deciding the kind of programmes they will be featuring. New elements will be incorporated in their programmes to make a difference in their offer. They have asked for programmes with a sports and adventure travel component.”

Interest from other Western European countries has also been growing. Mr Young said Asia Voyages, France’s biggest Asian specialist, is expanding its pages on the Philippines in its general brochure and will be including the country for the first time in their beach and wellness brochure.

The UK’s Pioneer Expeditions has introduced a new 20-day Palawan Adventure Programme with forest trekking and camping, featuring Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido and Busuanga.

The Netherlands’ Avontuur will also be featuring the Philippines for the first time and is finalising its programmes for the next season.

Mr Young, who expected a minimum of eight groups a year from Avontuur, said the Philippines was the answer to European demand for new products and destinations. He said: “European travellers are looking for new places, thus the Philippines is fast getting back into the European market. I think people realise that the Philippines is one of the safest places to visit in light of what is happening now in many developed countries.”

Department of Tourism Team Europe head, Ms Verna Buensuceso, noted Spanish interest in Philippine dive destinations. Qatar Airways out of Spain intends to feature Philippine dive packages in its holidays programme for the next season. It is working with Spanish dive wholesalers such as Anos Luz and Ultima Frontera in Madrid, and Abando Dive Travel in Bilbao.

Ms Buensuceso said an Anos Luz representative would attend the Philippine Travel Exchange in Manila on September 8 and 9 to look for a local ground handler.

The dive packages will be launched early next year at Tour Buceo, the Spanish dive show held in conjunction with FITUR.