Dubai Based Supermodel and Fitness Guru Rania Gamal Promotes Philippines as a Must See Summer Destination for MIddle Eastern Travelers

With summer holiday just around the corner, Dubai-based celebrity, model and fitness guru Rania Gamal went to the Philippines recently to discover breathtaking places that will surely enjoy by people living in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East region and will be the perfect getaway destination for the upcoming holiday season.

BATANGAS and MANILA

Rania Gamal visited one of the country’s popular summer destinations for locals – Batangas. Rania stayed at Acuatico Beach and Resort Hotel that was owned by the famous Filipino designer Mama Rene Salud’s family. During her stay, Rania enjoyed the stunning beach and sunset in the property. She has experience local food like seafood, Batangas lomi, Barako coffee, to name a few, where she found exactly right for Middle Easterns to try.

During her stay in Batangas, Rania also had a photoshoot for Playboy Philippines’ Renegade issue where she is on their prestigious cover and for luxury travel magazine Xpedition Middle East.

After Batangas, Rania explored the bustling city of Manila where she stayed at City of Dreams in Pasay City.

With close to 100,000 tourist arrival from the Middle East region in 2016, Rania encourages more people from region to visit the Philippines and explore its stunning beaches and hospitable people.

“I plan to visit more cities in the Philippines on my next visit. I would like to explore the beaches of Boracay and Palawan as I heard they have the world’s best beaches and coastlines”

“With Middle Eastern continuously looking for a place to spend their holidays, I believe that it is high time for Philippines to be recognize as the MUST SEE summer destination most especially for Middle Eastern travelers”

“I hope that many establishment will cater more to Muslim tourists like halal food options and halal kitchen so Muslim travelers will be more confident on visiting the country”

The Middle East market are known as quality travelers – they stay longer and spend bigger compared to other to tourism markets.

Rania Gamal plans to collaborate further with Philippine Department of Tourism Middle East office to further promote the Philippines in the Middle East region.

About Rania Gamal

Rania Gamal is a Dubai-based fitness guru, model, actress and TV presenter. She started modelling when she was 17 years old while living in Germany and was the face of Loreal products and the cover of different international magazines. Rania loves traveling the world and she can speak 5 languages fluently including Arabic, English, Danish, German and French. Rania is also a fitness, lifestyle, and health aficionado teaching women not only to eat healthily but also about being independent and being empowered. She had her post graduate diploma in PR & Journalism at World Media Academy, a school accredited by Washington-based ICFJ (International Centre for Journalist). Rania Gamal was also the official host for P. O. W. E. R. E. D. (Professional Overseas Women Empowerment, Recognition and Equality Day) held in Vesna Restaurant and Lounge at Conrad Hotel.

Tourism Promotions Board presents bigger PHITEX 2016

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) presents a more enhanced Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), the most important annual travel trade event. With the theme #PHITEX2016: Bigger Business, the event is set to accommodate more than 200 international buyers from across 37 countries worldwide and 199 local sellers from 132 companies across the Philippines.

“PHITEX has been instrumental in boosting the Philippines’ image as a top tourist destination. The event also strengthens international relationships among the industry’s key players to further the growth of Philippine tourism,” remarked PHITEX Deputy Secretary General Susana J. Del Mundo.

Highlight of the event is a series of business-to-business sessions between foreign buyers and local sellers. This year, the number of sessions has increased to 40 as compared to 28 in the previous years. This aims to broaden their chance of interaction and to encourage more in-depth discussions on tourism and trade opportunities.

PHITEX 2016 gives the buyers an opportunity to meet the Philippine sellers where they will be introduced to the Philippines’ best offerings in terms of travel and tourism products and services. This can be considered a momentous time for Philippine sellers for they will be given an edge to offer globally competitive tour packages to the international market and learn of other countries’ trade strategies to apply in their own practices.

Buyers from as far as the United States, Norway, Italy, Denmark and Germany and even from neighboring Asian countries such as South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam were given an opportunity to experience fun and exciting pre-tours with hotel inspections around the country’s capital, Metro Manila.

The pre-tours conducted last September 3 included a visit to the famous walled city of Intramuros to get a glimpse of history during the Spanish colonization. Buyers visited Fort Santiago, which houses the Rizal Shrine museum where memorabilia of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, are displayed. They also visited San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Agustin Museum, and enjoyed a brief cultural show at Casa Manila. Buyers also inspected some of the city’s most luxurious hotels, namely New World Hotel Makati, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Fairmont Makati, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Shangri-la at the Fort and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, to name a few.

The post-tours are just as exciting since it will feature the Philippines’ premier destinations including world-class accommodations, entertainment and convention venues and business facilities. Buyers get to choose a tour that fits well with their interests and offerings. The Ilocos module includes a tour to the northern region of the country, where there is an interesting blend of local and Spanish cultures. Another module takes the buyers a trip to Southern Luzon and experience exotic beauty of beaches nestled against the jungle.

Buyers can further discover the wonders of Palawan which is recently named as the Best Island in the World. They can ride a paddleboat to Puerto Princesa Underground River, considered one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Some buyers can also travel to the east where Bicol, a region for adventures – volcanoes, beaches, coves, and lakes - will also be awaiting the guests.

The Cebu/Bohol post tour will give the buyers an opportunity to catch a glimpse of historical landmarks, a taste of lechon in Cebu, and an iconic view of the majestic Chocolate Hills in Bohol. They can also take a selfie with tarsiers in Bohol. For a unique mix of diversity, heavenly retreat and exciting adventure, buyers may also opt to join the Davao module.

“PHITEX will only grow stronger and more competitive through the coming years with the continual commitment and dedication of everyone – our partners, buyers, sellers and exchange visitors. Your immeasurable support only fuels us to push and go further. I believe that through our cumulative effort, we create and become the greater nation,” said DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo.

Now on its 15th year, PHITEX has gained popularity and recognition in the global tourism market. By making the event bigger and better, TPB is giving foreign travelers more reasons to visit the Philippines again.

Led by Philippine Airlines as the official flag carrier, and Marriot Hotel Manila, PHITEX 2016 is also supported by TTG Asia as the official media partner, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Other sponsors include Resorts World Manila, Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines, Philippines Craft Distillers (LAKAN), Marco Polo Manila, SedaBonifacio Global City, Bellevue Resort, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Fairmont Makati, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Radisson Blu Cebu, Park inn by Radisson, Plaza del Norte and The Mind Museum.

*This is Press Release

The Tourism Promotions Board is all set for PHITEX 2016

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is set to welcome international delegates to the country’s largest and most important annual travel trade – Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2016. Happening at the Marriot Grand Ballroom from September 4 to 6, PHITEX will host 219 international buyers from across 37 countries worldwide, including 220 local sellers from 145 travel and tour companies, hotels and resorts across the Philippines.

The event kicks off with a visit to the 27th Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX Convention Center. The itinerary for the international delegates also includes fun and exciting pre-tours with hotel inspection around the country’s capital, Metro Manila, and post-tours to the Philippines’ top attractions and premier destinations, as well as oculars showcasing world-class accommodations, entertainment and convention venues including business facilities.

The highlight of PHITEX 2016 is a series of business-to-business sessions between foreign buyers from as far as the United States, Norway, Italy, Denmark and Germany and neighboring Asian countries such as South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam to interact with local sellers, and to encourage in-depth discussions on tourism travel and trade opportunities.

Now on its 15th year, PHITEX 2016 is supported by Philippine Airlines as the official flag carrier, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, TTG Asia and Resorts World Manila. Other sponsors include Marriott Hotel Manila, Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines, Philippines Craft Distillers (LAKAN), Marco Polo Manila, Seda Bonifacio Global City, Bellevue Resort, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Fairmont Makati, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Radisson Blu Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson, Plaza del Norte and The Mind Museum.

*This is Press Release

Tourism Promotions Board, Viacom inks agreement for MTV Music Evolution Manila 2016

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)and Viacom Inc., recently ratified an agreement for staging one of the most anticipated musical events – the MTV Music Evolution Manila 2016 to be held on 24 June 2016 at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.This year’s event will once again feature some of the most iconic artists and performers, one of which is OneRepublic, that influences the evolution of music globally. MTV Music Evolution Manila also highlights the musical talents and skills of Filipino artists as world-class performers such as Sarah Geronimo, James Reid and Nadine Lustre. In line with the Department of Tourism’s campaign “Visit the Philippines Again 2016”, TPB aims to promote MTV Music Evolution to spotlight the country’s musical prowess and position the Philippines as premiere entertainment destination.