French officials to lead Manila, Cebu spiritual tourism road show

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora  

MANILA -- A delegation of French tourism professionals will visit Manila and Cebu City to lead a three-day spiritual tourism road show this month.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Nicolas Galey said Wednesday that the mission, to be held on April 23-26 in partnership with Atout France, reflects the importance of the tourism industry in France and its keen interest to build cooperation with tourism stakeholders in the Philippines.

Galey said Asian travelers now play a "significant role" in the French tourism industry, "and indeed, Filipino visitors would have a huge influence on Asian arrivals to France in the next decade.

He said this kind of promotion on pilgrimages seeks to plant fruitful seeds into the market and maintain France’s position as the European destination of Filipino travelers.

In an effort to increase the number of Filipino tourists in France, the French Embassy in Manila implemented the delivery of visas in 48 hours less than a year ago.

Recognizing the continuously rising importance of the Philippines as a market in Asia, Atout France Region Director for ASEAN, Morad Tayebi, said the road show wouldbe part of a "very ambitious action plan" for the Filipino market.

"In the past six months, we have organized three familiarization trips to France for about 40 Filipino travel agents to have a meaningful experience of French destinations," Tayebi said.

"The goal for these agents was, of course, to earn enough knowledge to create innovative packages and so, quench the wanderlust of Filipino travelers craving for unique experiences,” he added.

France offers a wide variety of touristic experiences, and it is this diversity that has made France the top tourist destination in the world, with 88 million visitors last year, said Galey.

While Philippine tourist arrivals is quite far from France's figures, the Department of Tourism is also promoting various tourism products, such as farm and sport tourism, and this year's newest, faith-based tourism. (PNA)