THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board launched the Virtual Destination Videos and 360° VR Experiential Tours highlighting the country’s top tourist spots and attractions, among them Cebu province.
The campaign is aimed at building up
and strengthening programs on the so-called SmarTourism, one of the key
strategic directions of TPB which is to integrate innovation and digital
tourism platforms, ensuring data-driven planning, and expanding other tools for
promotions and marketing.
“The most distinct driver of change
that has happened in any industry is the massive shift towards digitalization
and innovation. The virtual tours are a product of our drive to be better and
do better amid the trying times.”
“It’s not only a teaser for our foreign
guests so they can get a good glimpse of our country in the new normal; it’s also
a gift to our kababayans and OFWs who have been wanting to come home. And it’s
a way to experience the Philippines vicariously and a guide to making every
minute of your travel experience count,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria
Anthonette Allones.
The Virtual Destination Videos support
TPB’s marketing programs on domestic welcome-back and global tourism through
the “It’s More Fun With You” campaign. Spearheaded by DOT, the campaign invites
tourists to look forward to and once again enjoy safe travel after the long
break amidst the travel ban.
The campaign tonality blends the fun
and excitement indicative of Philippine tourism with the warmth and longing of
our destinations and travelers to be reunited.
The virtual videos showcase the
best-of-the-best in Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Baguio/Cordillera, Manila,
Pampanga/Zambales, Pangasinan/La Union, Ilocos Norte/Ilocos Sur, Bohol,
Bukidnon/Camiguin/Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo/Guimaras, Davao, Batangas, Tarlac/
Bataan, and various UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The TravelCebu.ph listed at least 25
best tourist spots in Cebu and they are the following: Cebu Taoist Temple, Temple
of Leah, Sirao Flower Garden, 10,000 Roses of Cebu, Osmeña Peak, Kawasan Falls, Pescador Island, Oslob Whale
Sharks, Tumalog Falls, Sumilon Island Sandbar, Simala Church, Magellan’s Cross,
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Colon Street, The Heritage of Cebu Monument, Yap
Sandiego Ancestral House, Jesuit House of 1730 or Museo de Parian, Casa Gorordo
Museum, Fort San Pedro, Museo Sugbo, Camotes Island, Bantayan Island, Cebu
Safari and Adventure, Cebu Ocean Park and Anjo World Theme Park.
Zenrooms.com also has this on its list
of tourism sites in Cebu: Malapascua Island, Taboan Public Market, Cebu Taoist
Temple, Neri’s Ville Selfie Corner and The Pyramid – A restaurant inspired by
the Louvre Museum.
With the virtual destination campaign, viewers
are treated from the comforts of their homes to a full spectrum of all tourist
spots via www.tpb.pcitech.com.ph/map.
This web-based 360°virtual reality tour
also serves as a marketing tool of the regions to the broader travel industry
that will allow travel agents to promote Philippine tourist destinations
digitally, and at the same time, enhance and improve their destination
knowledge.
“Technology plays an essential role in
promoting destinations, attractions, and activities here in our country. By
leveraging on it, we have found new opportunities amid the crisis and new ways
to tell the world that, hey, the Philippines is alive and well, worthy to see and
explore, and remains as beautiful and fun as ever! We are proud that as we
finally reopen to the world, we have this in store for all of you to
experience,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat.
Furthermore, as the country gears up
for its reopening to foreign tourists, the TPB Virtual Tours also serve to
spark the general public’s interest so that they may be able to rethink and
include the Philippines in their “revenge travel” plans in the long run. (Cebu
Examiner contributed to this report.)
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