ESPRESSO MORNINGS
By Joe Zaldarriaga
Boosting PH tourism through sports
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Set to become beyond memorable, the month of August has certainly elicited a wave of excitement amongst basketball fans because exactly 17 days from today, the much-anticipated FIBA World Cup 2023 will once again take place in the country. This is truly a monumental milestone that will not just mark a new chapter in Philippine sports but will also bring a plethora of opportunities for our tourism industry.
Cognizant of the significance of this historical event, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has shown his full support by issuing Administrative Order No. 5 last March. Under the AO, an Inter-Agency Task Force was formed to ensure that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the national sports association for basketball in the country, will get all the help it needs to successfully and seamlessly prepare and stage the event in the country.
SBP president Al Panlilio expressed his appreciation of the President’s support and said: “This will aid the SBP immensely in the homestretch of our preparations for hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Likewise, the President’s encouragement of local government units, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to lend their cooperation to the SBP will help ensure the successful hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for it to be a source of pride and joy for the Filipino people.”
As this prestigious international event brings in participants and spectators from across the globe, it presents the perfect opportunity for the tourism industry to reintroduce the Philippines to the world.
With our kaleidoscope of offerings, from our rich and vibrant culture to the numerous scenic wonders throughout the archipelago, the FIBA World Cup 2023 serves as a window into everything else that our country has to offer.
To fully maximize and capitalize on this rare opportunity, there is no better strategy than for the Department of Tourism (DOT) to offer an enticing selection of tour packages that were thoughtfully put together. These packages highlight the different breathtaking tourist destinations frequently visited and explored by numerous foreign visitors in the country.
The destinations that the DOT chose to feature were Batangas, Bohol, Boracay, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos Norte and Sur, Iloilo, Bacolod, La Union, Manila, Palawan, Pampanga and Tagaytay. These were all strategically selected to give visitors an authentic experience of our diverse and exceptional cultural heritage, while also showing them the paradise-like beauty of the Philippines.
The agency’s goal is not just to ensure that the staging of the FIBA World Cup 2023 will run smoothly and safely, but that the visitors from different corners of the world will also have an amazing experience exploring the 15 highly recommended travel destinations from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.
The DOT’s vision is for fans and delegates to go “from courtside to paradise”. Launched on July 25, the tour packages can be conveniently booked at a separate site, discoverphilippines.travel. Some of the inclusions of the FIBA-exclusive tour packages are the Philippines Hop On, Hop Off bus tours, accredited hotels and other accommodation options, quotations with or without airfare. Payment options accepted are credit cards, GCash, Maya and GrabPay.
As the attention of the world turns towards the Philippines, we should stand united as a nation ready to step on to the global stage, confident in what we are about to give – a good show and an amazing tourist experience. As our Gilas Pilipinas gives their best and embodies the quintessential "PUSO” spirit fueled by the desire to once again bring pride to our nation, we must also rise to the occasion. Let us seize this opportunity to show them the beauty embedded in our more than 7,100 islands paired with the warm hospitality Filipinos are globally known for.
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.
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About the Columnist
Joe Zaldarriaga is a veteran, award-winning communicator immersed in public service within and beyond the energy sector. He has more than 30 years of experience serving the country’s biggest electric distribution utility and is involved in a number of public service functions, as member of various committees on public safety, power supply security and electrification. Concurrently, he is a prominent figure in the Philippine communications industry, as Chairman and Past President of the US-based International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC PH). He is also an awardee of the University of Manila’s Medallion of Honor (Dr. Mariano V. delos Santos Memorial) and a Scroll of Commendation, a testament to his celebrated years in public service exemplified by outstanding communications.
Joe also shares his opinion and outlook on relevant national and consumer issues as a columnist in several prominent publications and is now venturing into new media via hosting a new vlog called Cup of Joe. Previously, Joe was a reporter and desk editor of a Broadcasting Company and the former auditor of the Defense Press Corps of the Philippines. A true green Lasalian, he finished with a degree in Asian Studies specializing in the Japan Studies program at De La Salle University, Manila, where he also spent his entire education.
