Press Release
CANADIAN SNOWBIRDS LINE UP FOR WINTER ESCAPADE 3 TO THE PHILIPPINES
Philippine Embassy-Ottawa
September 12, 2015
10 September 2015 – Team Philippines-Canada led by Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia rolled out this month the highly-anticipated package for Winter Escapade 3 – It’s More Fun in the Philippines taking place in Manila, the Bicol region and Palawan from 3 to 12 February 2016.
Unveiled for the first time in Calgary on 5 September 2015 in conjunction with the first-ever Fiesta Filipino in Canada’s energy capital, the launching of Winter Escapade 3 moved on to Ottawa where over 30 Filipino-Canadians signed up for the tour on the very first day registration opened on 9 September 2015. Some registrants travelled from as far as Montreal and Kingston to secure their slots for the tour.
In her launch remarks, Ambassador Garcia extended her personal invitation for visitors from Canada to join her in an exceptional travel experience that promises VIP treatment throughout a fun-filled tour of Albay, Camarines Sur/Sorsogon, Puerto Princesa and Manila over 10 days and nine (9) nights. At CAD 1550 per person on twin sharing, the package offers the best value for money with de luxe resort and hotel accommodations, two (2) roundtrip domestic flights, daily breakfast and most meals, travel insurance, domestic terminal and porterage fees as well as transportation and guided tours included in the basic tour package.
Winter Escapade is an economic diplomacy initiative of Team Philippines-Canada which is composed of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Consulates General across and attached agencies including the Department of Tourism. Now on its third year, the tour is supported by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) which, together with local government units in selected destinations, work to treat participants to famed Filipino hospitality as they take in the unique sights, sounds and flavors of Philippine tourism.
The roll-out continues at the Philippine Consulates General in Toronto on 10 and 12 September 2015 and in Vancouver on 11 September 2015.
The Philippine Embassy estimates that Winter Escapade 2 in February this year generated 35.5 million PHP for the Philippine economy. Ambassador Garcia surmises that Winter Escapade 3 in 2016, with its multiplier effect, has the potential to exceed the 2015 figure.
“Winter Escapade is about having fun in the Philippines while helping tourism-dependent communities grow their local economy. Tourism is a proven engine for job creation. Our initiative keeps in mind the hotel housekeeper, the bus driver, the tour guide, the boatman, and the shopkeepers and other stakeholders whose lives could be uplifted by the wealth generated from tourist receipts,” Ambassador Garcia remarked.
Tweet