April 27--RIYADH -- The Philippine Embassy is participating in the 5th Riyadh Travel Fair 2013, which opened last Tuesday and ends today, at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Kingdom Center.

"This is the Philippines' first-ever participation in the Riyadh Travel Fair and we are delighted to tap the huge Saudi tourism market by showcasing the Philippines' travel destinations," said Consul General Marshall Louis Alferez.

Other participating countries are Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Morocco, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Poland, Austria and Switzerland.

Alferez said that several travel agencies in the Kingdom had chosen to specialize in Philippine destinations and expressed confidence that "our unique branding will result in a further increase in the number of Saudi travelers to the Philippines."

Through its booth, the embassy has been providing information, brochures and some giveaway items on tourism destinations in the Philippines and promoting the Department of Tourism's slogan "It's More Fun in the Philippines", with the assistance of Bizgate, DOT's marketing arm in the Middle East. Besides showcasing top destinations in the country, the booth also promotes tourism activities and Philippine products.

Alferez thanked the travel agencies for promoting the country as a tourist destination since tourism promotion is one of the major thrusts of the Philippine government at present.

Manila has allocated 13 billion pesos to develop what it calls as "tourism roads" all over the country next year.

The organizers expect some 20,000 local and foreign visitors to visit the fair. Last year's fair drew 11,652 visitors.

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(c)2013 the Arab News (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

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