The need for a tourism marketing agency for the Philippines

The Philippines need a tourism marketing agency to attract European tour operators and tourists

Thailand has become a top holiday destination for the European tour operators. Countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are becoming more popular as a holiday destination for Europeans.

And what about the Philippines? Why do European tour operators not offer holidays to the Philippines? Are Cambodia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka so much interesting than Philippines? Isn't Cambodia that country of the killing fields, Myanmar an oppressive closed military dictatorship, Vietnam a communist controlled regime with a violent history and Sri Lanka not much better than all mentioned before?

My guess is, that these countries have done a good job of selling themselves. They've done a good job at marketing.

And the Philippines could do the same or even better.

Hence, my idea of a tourist promotion and development agency, with the mission to attract the major European tour operators (TUI, Thomas Cook , Neckermann,...) which are under ownership of either Preussag or C&N, as well as some independent tour operators. 

This agency will work in partnership (and funding) with the Department of Tourism, Provincial and local authorities as well as with major companies like SM, Ayala Land Inc, Century Properties, Filinvest and Eton.

The agency, its tourism experts and its partner will make an extensive tour of all provinces, and make a SWOT-analysis of tourist destinations and potential tourist destinations per province.

SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Oportunities, Treaths

It will look at the existing tourist attractions. And the agency will investigate how these tourist attractions can be improved and how more tourist can be attracted to these locations. It will look for potential spot where tourism can be developed and study the necessities to make these worthwile tourism destinations. (for example hotels, holiday houses, artificial sand beaches, infrastructure,...). That is also the reason why private development companies have to be involved.

Once an extensive SWOT-analysis of tourism potential in all provinces are made and plans have been drawn up for development. The agency will invite the big shots from the European tour operators for a tour along the most interesting existing tourist destinations and the most promising potential tourism spots.

For the more independent tour operators, who like to offer their costumers a more adventurous package the agency will work out offers like: the movie tour, based on locations of different movies (because mant famous and cult movies were shot in the philippines), tropical islands hopping tour, the cultural tour, tropical adventure tour,...