ACCORDING to the Department of Tourism’s Visitors Sample Survey in 2016, 51.80 percent of tourists came to the Philippines upon the recommendation of their friends, while 14.10 percent have friends or relatives in the country. This proved that word-of-mouth plays a very big role in motivating tourists to visit the Philippines.
For this reason, DOT, headed by Secretary Wanda Teo, revived the “Bring Home A Friend” (BHAF) program to encourage Filipinos, residing in the country and abroad to invite their foreign friends to come visit the country.
Formally launched in October 14, the BHAF will be launched in different countries and the regions across the Philippines. In Davao, BHAF was launched at the Pearl Farm Marina.
Via Eden David, DOT assistant secretary, Wanda Teo said,”More than just visiting places, tourism is also about bringing people together. In the first seven months of 2017, the Department of Tourism has recorded 3.93 million foreign arrivals, which was an increase from the last year’s mark of 3.54 million. The numbers show that people around the world have a desire to visit our blessed archipelago.”
“In this day and age when there’s so much noise coming from the internet, mainstream and even social media, with marketing campaigns aggressively swooping in all forms and sizes, it is very important to be mindful of what and whom to believe. It is easy to get confused or even be deceived. That’s why many people from all around the world would turn to a friend.”
Filipinos are the masters of hospitality and friendship, and it is this principle that is the main driving force of Bring Home a Friend.”
“Now we invite you to share. Share your experience, share your joy. It is now easier than ever to use media as a tool for sharing and meeting new people, but the heart of friendship is still trust, based on sincerity and genuine concern. This is where Filipinos thrive and we at the DOT would like to give the ample recognition. Bring them home, and Bring Home a Friend.”
The BHAF program started in October 15 and will run for six months until April 15, 2018.
To join, the sponsor and invitee must duly accomplish the registration via the Bring Home A Friend website accessible via the Department’s website tourism.gov.ph or through the booths located at specific airports.
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