September 8 - 21, 2017
Philippine Showbiz Today
3
Philippines to reopen
Toronto tourism office
The Philippine Department
of Tourism (DoT) will reopen its
Toronto office by 2018.
Philippine Ambassador to
Canada Petronila Garcia and DoT
Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo agree
that this is an opportune time to
nurture the growing interest in the
country among Canadians.
With a growth rate of 18.4
per cent, Canada accounted for
108,243 arrivals, placing it the
seventh top source market for
the Philippines. It was also one of
the Philippines’ highest spending
origin markets.
Next to the U.S. and Saudi
Arabia, Canada hosts the largest
Filipino community overseas.
The
700,000
Filipinos
immigrants, nearly half of whom
reside in Toronto, make up the
country’s third largest immigrant
group.
“Canada is a country of
immigrants and it recognises the
Filipino’s role in the community.
There is a growing curiosity
where the Filipinos came from.
Also noting that the Philippines as
the fastest growing economy in
South-east Asia, more Canadian
businessmen are also interested
the Philippines,” said Garcia.
In
particular,
Canadian
snowbirds represent a significant
target market for the Philippines.
During a recent visit to
Canada, Teo met with the
Canada’s Snowbird Association
(CSA), a 100,000-member strong
group that facilitates travel during
Canada’s winter season.
Teo said having CSA members
spending up to six months in the
Philippines can significantly boost
revenues of tourism stakeholders
in the country.
Speaking at the Philippine
Tapestry Gala night in Toronto
held as part of the recent
Mabuhay Philippines Festival,
Teo urged Filipinos in Canada to
promote travel to the Philippines
while assuring Canadians that
the country also makes a good
investment
and
retirement
destination. ●
DoT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo