TOURISM OFFICIAL VISITS VANCOUVER

The new Philippine Tourism Director for Northwestern USA, Pura S. Suanding-Molintas met with representatives of the Philippine media in Vancouver at the Flamingo Restaurant, 7510 Cambie Street on Tuesday evening February 24, 2015. It was Director Molintas’ first visit to Vancouver since her recent appointment to the position replacing her predecessor former Director Rene delos Santos. Her regional office is based San Francisco and Vancouver is part of her areas of operation.

Direcror Molintas explained the many programs of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism under the slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” and answered questions from the media people present. She also granted interviews before and after the dinner. Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Deputy Consul General Anthony A. L. Mandap were also present to welcome the visiting tourism officlal and guests from the media.

Latest report from the DOT indicates that inbound visitors to the Philippines increased last year to 4,833,368 which is higher by 3.25% from 4,681,307 in 2013. Asia topped the tourist arrivals for the country in 2014 with 2.83 million visitors for a share of 59%.  Americas followed with 875,200 for a share of 18%, Europe at 10%, Australasia/Pacific (6%) and overseas Filipinos (4%). Korea kept its position as the leading source of visitors at 1,175,472, followed by the United States at 722,750. Japan ranked third with 463,744 visitors. Visitors from Canada increased to 143,899.

Dir. Molintas expects the number of tourists further increasing this year with the upcoming programs and activities being actively promoted by the Department of Tourism for international tourists and overseas Filipinos. She also announced that Philippine Airlines will inaugurate its new Vancouver to New York flights, four times weekly, on March 15, 2015.

Dir. Molintas has been with the Philippine Department of Tourism for 15 years as Regional Director of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) based in Baguio City. The major responsibilities she had implemented were: the development of festivals and events across the Cordillera provinces and cities in Northern Philippines; promotions of the Cordillera region and Northern Philippines; development of local tourism roads; development of local government tourism action plans and accreditation of tourism establishments.

Photos courtesy of Pinoy Buzz