DOT Director Paul Benito S. Tugbang receives the 2022 World’s Leading Tourism Country Destination Award
Ankara, 29 November 2022. – For its 2022 Travel Awards, the Uzakrota Global 2022 –Travel Summit presented the World’s Leading Country Tourism Destination Award to the Philippines. The Uzakrota Travel Summit is one of the major conferences in the travel industry. It was held on 29 November 2022 at the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, Istanbul.
The Philippine Delegation (Embassy photo)
The Philippines’ huge attractive poster on Lake Kayangan of Palawan, simply entitled “Philippines”, and the smiling faces of the Philippine Delegation in their traditional dresses kept people streaming into the Philippine Booth. Travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, travel guides, media, and travelers enjoyed their exchanges with the Philippine officials and taking photos in front of the booth.
Ambassador Maria Elena P. Algabre, Congresswoman Maria Vanessa Aumentado, Consul General Arvin de Leon, DOT Director Paul Benito Tugbang and Mr. Joebert Opulencia at the Philippine Presentation. (Embassy photo)
The Philippine Delegation was led by Ambassador Maria Elena P. Algabre of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara; Congresswoman Maria Cynthia K. Chan of the House of Representative, Vice-Chairperson of the House Committee on Tourism and representing Lapu-Lapu City; Congresswoman Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado of the House of Representatives , representing Bohol; Consul General Arvin de Leon of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul; and Dr. Paul Benito S. Tugbang, Director of the Office of Product and Market Development , Department of Tourism. Joining the Delegation was Mr. Joebert Opulencia from the travel industry and representatives from two Philippine schools providing English language courses to foreign visitors of the country, including Turkish students.
Ambassador Maria Elena P. Algabre addressing the participants at the Opening Ceremony. (Embassy photo)
Ambassador Algabre was one of the four speakers at the Opening Ceremony, underlining that the Philippines is ready and open to welcome visitors and investors, to share with them the beauty of Philippine landscape, islands, marine life, and culture, and the friendliness of the Filipino people. To facilitate ease of travel and tourist convenience, travel restrictions have been lifted. The Ambassador invited the audience to visit the Philippines and or do business with the country.
At the Philippine Presentation, the Philippine Delegation further highlighted why travelers should head to the Philippines. They mentioned key factors such as: the country offers something for everyone; availability of diverse range of hospitality services; value for money for a premium experience; and people known for their legendary hospitality that is authentic and uniquely Filipino. END
