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| FRIENDS OF PHILIPPINES,
composed of multi-race from United Kingdom (England),
virtually become Friends of the Boholanos during their
visit here last week. They were welcomed by tour operators
and guides at the Tagbilaran City port. At right, former
British ambassador to the Philippines Paul Dimond (seated
w/ striped shirt) poses with Loboc Children's Choir who
performed at Loboc Music Museum upon their request. (RVO)
Foto DANNY REYES, RIC OBEDENCIO |
The
aggressive campaign of Bohol's growing tourism industry, dubbed
as the number one tourist destination in the country, was
bolstered with the visit last week of a 36-member multi-race
group called "Friends of Philippines."
Public
Relations Officer Rosario "Chit" Afuang of the London-based
tourism office confirmed this in an interview with the Bohol
Chronicle.
Former
British ambassador to the Philippines Paul Dimond, in a separate
interview, said he would help promote Bohol in London.
Afuang
and Dimond accompanied the group composed of expats - British,
American, French and even Latin American. Most of them are
members of the Overseas Women's Club and had worked, studied
or lived in the country before.
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"Friends
Philippines program" is organized by Department
of Tourism in London, England. It was launched during
the 2005 World Travel Mart held in London.
The
program is to tap the expats as "marketers"
of the Philippine tourism, including Bohol, and help
DOT promote the country in areas where they are now.
The
whole program runs for 16 days (Nov.15-30, 2007) and
Bohol is a major highlight of the itinerary.
DOT-London
also organized "Travel Philippines," tapping
Filipino overseas workers to be marketers of the country.
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The
group was very much impressed of the living voices of the
world renowned and multi-awarded Loboc Children's Choir performed
for almost 30 minutes at centuries-old Loboc Music Museum.
After
that, they cruised the Loboc River upstream and took their
lunch at floating restaurant prior to scaling to the world
famous Chocolate Hills in Carmen town.
Paul
Dimond said he was amazed of the beauty of the place (Choco
Hills) because this was his first time to crisscross the countrysides
here since he was assigned as envoy in 2002-2004. But this
was his second time in Bohol.
"I
fully support the program that the DOT in the United Kingdom
to promote the Philippines," Paul Dimond said.
He
added that London has already supported the promotional campaign
such as the putting up of "Wow Philippines" on the
side of "black" cabs and recently the use of double-decker
buses in London.
Carmen
Mayor Manuel Molina welcomed Dimond and his group at the Chocolate
Hills complex. (Ric V. Obedencio)
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