DoT eyes Israeli tourists

CEBU CITY, July 5 (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DoT) is reviving links with countries whose residents used to frequent the Philippines' tourist destinations, among them, Israel, where many residents are fond of sports and adventure activities.

Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr said the DoT hopes to see a 40-percent growth this year in visitor arrivals from Israel.

The agency is also hoping that Israel will become the Philippines’ top tourist markets next year.

”According to them, Israelis kept coming to the Philippines 10 years ago. As the years went by, their arrival figures decline. We don’t know why,” Jarque said.

But, he said the country needs to implement marketing and promotional programs in Israel to persuade more Israelis to visit adventure and eco-tourism destinations in the Philippines.

In a visit to Cebu in May last year, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Zvi Avine Vapni said the two countries have the capabilities to increase tourist traffic both ways, but lack the awareness of each other's potentials.

Currently, the Philippines is competing with Thailand and Malaysia, which are also offering adventure and eco-tourism packages to attract more Israeli travelers.

”At present, Israel’s numbers in terms of arrivals to the Philippines are not great. We are not talking of the same numbers as China and India. But the quality of travelers is there. Israelis are good spenders and we have the potential to provide them with value for-money adventure packages,” said Jarque.

He added that DoT expects an increase in Israeli tourists after the airing in Israel of hit reality show “Survivor”, which featured Caramoan, Camarines Sur, in October this year.

The DoT is also coordinating with Philippine Ambassador to Israel Petronila Garcia to make the trip of Israeli tourists to the Philippines more efficient.

Jarque accompanied Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano during the unveiling of the Open Doors monument at the Rishon Lezion Memorial Park in Israel last June 21.