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USTOA president Terry Dale
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“The US market is always craving for the next great destination and I sincerely believe you are it. The top selling point of the Philippines will definitely be its tourist destinations and its people. The special DNA you possess when it comes to hospitality has been reconfirmed in my mind many times over. You’ve never been pampered the way you’ll be in the Philippines,” –— United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) CEO Terry Dale
The Philippines is the next big thing for the Americans according to United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) CEO Terry Dale as he was welcomed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) during his visit to Manila. Upon the invitation of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Dale’s trip to the Philippines was driven by the desire to experience firsthand the abundant offerings of the country.
The leading tour operators association in the United States, USTOA is created with the primary purpose of promoting integrity within the US tour operator industry and includes Abercrombie & Kent USA, Adventures by Disney and Celtic Tours World Vacations as some of its distinguished members.
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DOT Usec Ma. Victoria Jasmin and DFA Acting Secretary Laura Del Rosario
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Welcoming Dale during the dinner were DOT Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin, TPB Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Marketing and Promotions Consuelo Jones and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario. Also joining them were Philippine Airlines President and COO Jaime Bautista and International Sales AVP Eric Tan, Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) President Michelle Victoria, TPB Board Directors and officials as well as some of the country’s travel trade leaders.
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PAL’s Jaime Bautista and PTAA’s Michelle Victoria
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TPB’s James Sy, Hernan Narvadez, Consuelo Jones and Karem Miranda
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HRAP’s Eugene Yap and PAL’s Eric Tan
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PACEOS’ Jing Lagandaon, World Trade Center’s Pam Pascual and PHILTOA’s Shan David
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NAITAS’ Wanda Tulfo Teo and Lourdes Japson
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TPB’s Arnold Gonzales, HSMA’s Margie Munsayac, BOI Asec Fe Reyes, PHILTOA’s Fe Abling Yu and HSMA’s Christine Ibarreta
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Dale’s visit brought him to some of the most beautiful destinations in the country such as Bohol and Palawan. According to him, the Philippines is the hottest destination the Americans should experience today because of its elements of surprise and adventure, breath-taking natural wonders and the people’s innate sense of customer-centricity. Dale also highlighted that one of the country’s key assets is its people, emphasizing that Filipinos have the inherent skill to build relationships – one of the reasons why Americans would want to visit the Philippines again.
With must-see tourist spots, hospitable people, a unique culture and rich history woven together in one country, distance will never deter Americans to experience and enjoy the Philippines over and over.
Arts and Travel Magazine 