13 February 2019 - Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat opened the Philippine pavilion at the 25th International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) in Tel Aviv on 12 February 2019. This is the 4th participation of the Department of Tourism to the IMTM. This year, the Philippines has the largest booth in the annual travel fair with the participation of fifteen Philippine travel agency and hotel representatives.
“The Department of Tourism will promote sustainable tourism and invites Israelis to visit the country to experience its culinary tourism, heirloom recipes and slow food process, rich cultural diversity, and exciting eco-tourism activities,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat at the opening ceremonies of the IMTM.
“Israeli tourist arrivals to the Philippines reached 20,343 in 2018 with 16.66% growth from 2017. The 20,000 mark was achieved, despite the closure of Boracay for six months. This proves that beyond the perfect sunsets and the natural beauty of our 7,600 islands, the caring, friendly and hospitable nature of Filipinos has always been the main reason why our people are close to the hearts of Israelis, and why they keep coming back to the Philippines,” said Ambassador to the State of Israel Neal Imperial.
Secretary Romulo-Puyat met with Israel Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin and discussed initiatives to maintain the momentum of the growing two-way tourism between the two countries while ensuring sustainable tourism. Secretary Romulo-Puyat thanked Minister Levin for signing a new bilateral labor accord that will allow at least 1,000 Filipino hotel workers in Israel.
Secretary Romulo-Puyat also hosted a Philippine Tourism Gala Night at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Tel Aviv. The event was attended by around 100 guests including Director Genera Amir Halevi of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, Ambassador Gilad Cohen, Director General of Asia-Pacific Division and Ambassador Yaron Mayer, Director of East Asia of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic corps, Israeli travel and tour operators, businessmen, PR/media outfits, airline representatives and the Filipino-Israeli community.
Also at the event, the Department of Tourism awarded a certificate of recognition to Mr. Nuseir Yassin for his “Nas Daily” viral videos on the Philippines and Filipinos. Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Head of DOT’s Tourism Development, stressed the importance of social media influencers on people’s travel and lifestyle. “The Department of Tourism recognizes the contribution of the viral videos of Nas Daily, which reached around three million views each, in bringing the Philippines to the consciousness of travelers, particularly those who are searching for new multi-adventure destinations.” – END-
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the opening of the Philippine booth at the 25th International Mediterranean Tourism Market. She is joined by Philippine Ambassador to the State of Israel, Neal Imperial, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., and Mr. Boaz Waksman, Philippine Honorary Consul to Ashdod and Southern Israel.
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Ambassador Neal Imperial and Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr. poses with other officials of the Department of Tourism, Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, award-winning sand artist, Ms. Ma. Monica Regalario, and 15 Philippine travel agency and hotel representatives at the Philippine booth.
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Minister Yariv Levin met at the Ministry of Tourism and discussed further cooperation to sustain growth in two-way tourism.