Duty Free revives awards program

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Tourism’s (DoT) travel retail agency, Duty Free Philippines (DFP), has relaunched its Fiesta Travel Awards Program to help boost tourist traffic and give added incentives to travel agencies and tour guides at Duty Free Fiestamall.

In his speech during the relaunch held at DFP’s Fiestamall store in Parañaque City, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim lauded the agency’s revival of the program in support of the DoT’s mission of promoting tourism as a major socioeconomic activity and spreading the benefits of tourism in both the private and public sectors.

He expressed the DoT’s support for DFP projects.

“The Department of Tourism’s goal is to double visitor arrivals on or before the end of President Aquino’s term. The DoT is currently implementing programs that will benefit the tourism industry and thus increase revenues. The DoT is certain these targets will be met with the implementation of its 4-point program, specifically the opening of tourism accessibility, improvement of tourism infrastructure, improving and developing tourism products, and enhancement of marketing strategy,” Lim said.

For his part, DFP head Lorenzo Formoso said at the affair the DFP had embarked on an awareness campaign, putting up billboards at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and painting the Fiestamall and warehouse roofs with signs greeting plane passengers. DFP has also created a Facebook fan page, Twitter account and website at www.dfp.com.ph, he said.

Aileen C. Clemente, Philippine Travel Agencies Association president, pledged the group’s support for the DFP’s Fiesta Travel Program as well as the DoT’s projects.