Hitting above the target of 8.2 million foreign visitors in 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that more than 8.26 million tourists flocked in our country. And according to the survey made by the DOT, shopping topped the activity done by tourists during their visit to the Philippines.
Along with the agency’s initiative to build up shopping tourism in our country, the DOT is launching the month-long “Philippine Shopping Festival 2020,” which happens on March 1 to 31 nationwide. The shopping festival will run in Metro Manila, Agusan Del Norte, Antique, Bacolod, Baguio, Bataan, Bicol Region, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan City, Cagayan De Oro, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Lanao Del Norte, Legazpi City in Albay, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, South Cotabato (General Santos City), and Zambales (Olongapo City) as part of its active marketing and promotion of the Philippines as a shopping destination both for local and foreign visitors.
Inspired by the last year’s refreshed campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” the DOT invites locals and tourists to discover why shopping is more enjoyable in the Philippines through its campaign “Shopping is more fun in the Philippines.”
Here’s what you can expect during the shopping festival:
- There’s fun in every find. A variety of Philippine-made items will be featured to promote and help preserve Filipino culture and traditions. Shoppers can expect 15 to 70 percent discount on Philippine-made products including food and dining, jewelry and fashion, crafts, furniture, décor, and beauty and wellness products.
- Great deals and adventure. Many travelers can find great deals as hotel establishments, operators of beach resorts and restaurants, airlines, ships and bus companies, tour groups, travel agencies offer affordable and cheaper rates during the promotion period. Adventure awaits everyone!
The DOT believes that this is a worthwhile effort that will help both local retailers and tourism efforts in the country. Described as an ambitious project by the DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the first-ever shopping festival will definitely enhance the attractiveness of our tourist destinations all over the country and elevate the shopping experience through partnerships with various retailers, arlines, and shopping centers such as Wilcon Depot, SM Supermalls, Stores Specialists, Inc., Rustan Commercial Corporation, Shangri-La Plaza Corporation, Araneta Group, Duty Free Philippine Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation, Ayala Land Malls, Inc., Filinvest Land, Inc., Greenfield Development Corporation, Megaworld Corporation, Ortigas Land, Power Plant Mall, Vista, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia, and Air Carriers Association of the Philippines.
Associations supporting the event are the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Owners Association Inc., Philippine Retailers Association, Philippine Tour Operators Association, Philippine Travel Agencies Association, and Tourism Congress of the Philippines.
This unique program that brought together all the stakeholders in a rare joint effort will hopefully revive the spirit of tourism and shopping amid the COVID-19 scare, which has caused a global tourism crisis. This project aims to positively affect economic growth, create millions of jobs, livelihoods and enterprises, and help the Philippines become a globally recognized quality destination where shopping is fun, unique, and affordable.
