Tuesday, January 10, 2012

DOT Unveils Tourism Campaign Slogan Is It A Hit Or Miss?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has unveiled Friday, Jan. 6 its new slogan to encourage foreign travelers to visit the Philippines.

The new slogan—”It’s more fun in the Philippines”— appears simple and sleek but there’s a catch.

Apparently, it serves as a clincher to whatever Pinoys would want to promote about PH.

In its newly-launched website, http://its more fun in the philippines.com, the slogan was used as a punchline. In among its first samples, it said: “Commuting. It’s more fun in the Philippines” alongside a scenic photo of boats in Coron, Palawan.

“Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday un-forgettable,” adds Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

Apart from the international campaign, DOT also has a local version, “#1forFun” to encourage Filipinos to join the campaign to attract tourists.

“The national line is a goal, a constant reminder to ourselves why we can tell travelers it’s more fun here than anywhere else,” he said. “It needs everyone’s support for it to stay true—we need to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun,” Jimenez added.

Minutes after the slogan was unveiled, it was already trending worldwide on Twitter.
The campaign slogan has the approval of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and his Cabinet.

An Interaksyon.com report quotes Jimenez as saying that the slogan was conceived by advertising firm BBDO Guerrero | Proximity Philippines, and seeks to answer: “Why the Philippines?”

In its tweets, DOT Philippines said the government will also be competitive in getting new tourists through extended visas.

“Starting this year, no [more] 21-day visas. If competition has 30-day visas that’s what we’ll offer. We’ll give visa on arrival starting 2012,” DOT said.

“We will remain competitive. We’ll encourage everyone [to] put together [very] competitive packages. FUN is not just excitement, but prices as well,” it added.

In November 2010, then DOT Secretary Alberto Lim launched the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” campaign, which drew flak from majority of Pinoys who wanted a more catching slogan. /MP

No comments: