DOT pushes 'Bring Home A Friend' program

MANILA -- Aside from focusing on prominent tourist destinations, the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday pushed for personalized "Bring Home a Friend" program per province.

In a statement, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo urged locals in every region to take part in the initiative and endorse what is unique in their respective provinces to attract foreign friends to the Philippines.

From the rustic feel of one's ancestral house down to the heirloom recipe of their grandparents, Teo said Filipinos should put forward the staples one looks forward to when going home to the province.

"We invite you to welcome your foreign friends to the doorsteps of your hometown," she said. "Our different provinces and regions offer a much more different experience of the Philippines only we Filipinos know."

Teo's call to "Bring Home A Friend" to the provinces coincides with the roll out of the campaign's regional roadshow, following its grand launch at Resorts World Manila and multiple international launches and overseas activations.

DOT MIMAROPA capped the 15-region launching with its own version in Palawan.

Meanwhile, DOT Eastern Visayas kicked off the regional reintroduction of the referral incentive program last October in Tacloban.

Among the notable regional launches were in the DOT Northern Mindanao, CALABARZON and CARAGA.

“The regional launching of the Bring Home A Friend campaign gave our Regional Offices a sense of ownership and a chance to localize the program," Teo said.

"Their launches have call to actions inviting everyone in the region to invite their friends to visit their provinces,” she added.

Per the department, different regional offices will have follow up promotion, advertising, and activations during local festivals or other tourism related events to sustain the momentum of the campaign.

The BHAF basically encourages all Filipinos and expatriates to invite foreigners to the country, this time with a chance to win raffle prizes such as Megaworld Eastwood Le Grand condominium unit, a brand new Toyota Vios and PHP200,000 worth of Duty Free gift certificate.

The promo campaign, revived by Teo in October 2017, would end on April 15, 2018. (PNA)