DoT sets WOW Phils. Shopping Fiesta ‘03

In line with the last quarter campaign of the Visit Philippines 2003, the Department of Tourism (DoT) together with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) and VISA International, is spearheading another major shopping event from October to November, offering discounts of up to 80 percent off.

Dubbed as the “WOW Philippines Shopping Fiesta 2003,” the event aims to promote the country as a first-rate shopping haven and as a destination for excellent buys. Likewise, the event also encourages the influx of tourist shoppers with the special shopping tour packages for both domestic and international travelers.

Makati City will be the center of the event’s major activities as per President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s directive recognizing the City as the “Financial and Shopping Capital of the Country.” Five world-class shopping centers in Makati City will participate including the Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center, Ayala Center, Rustan’s Department Store, SM Makati and Duty Free Philippines, plus the Intramuros Clamshell in Manila.

The opening party will be held on Oct.3 at the Glorietta 4 Park with the launching of new WOW Philippines Shopping Tour Packages and WOW Philippines Shuttle Service covering the different participating malls, hotels, airports and Intramuros.

DoT Secretary Richard Gordon noted the dramatic increase of 7.6 percent in visitor arrivals last year wherein 1.9 million foreign nationals and overseas Filipinos who traveled to the country spent a total of $1.740 billion.

“The average daily shopping expenditure of travelers last year was pegged at $14.81 which means that tourists traveling in the Philippines spent $257 million in shopping alone,” Gordon said.

The Shopping Fiesta will shift to Intramuros, Manila on Nov. 7-30 for the staging of the first-ever Sports Tourism and Adventure Travel Show. The one-of-a-kind travel show/exhibit will gather the country’s various sports and adventure enthusiasts. Activities such as celebrity exhibition games, sports tourism symposium, outdoor concerts and sports demonstrations will compliment the 3-week trade show.

Coinciding with the WOW Philippines Shopping Fiesta is VISA International’s nationwide 3-month “VISA WOW Philippines Shopping Fiesta Promotion” which will run from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.

VISA cardholders will enjoy exclusive special privileges, freebies and instant prizes during this period. In addition, for a minimum purchase of R500 made anywhere in the country, VISA cardholders are entitled to join the “Shopping Fiesta Grand Raffle” where shoppers have a chance to win a brand new BMW, 6 days/5 nights all-inclusive Grand Vacation Package, South Sea Pearls Jewelry sets and Diamond Jewelry sets worth R20,000 each, and R50,000 shopping money.

VISA’s country manager (Philippines) Anton Romulo said, “Given the combined strengths of the DoT and VISA in this initiative, we expect to see excellent response in terms of boosting spending in the country. As the preferred card of the ‘WOW Philippines Shopping Fiesta,’ we are delighted to play a pivotal role in the promotion to ensure that shopping in this country will not only be an enjoyable but a rewarding experience as well.”

According to World Tourism Organization (WTO), VISA card spending is a key contributor to tourism receipts, representing an average of 15 percent of all tourism receipts earned in Asia Pacific, with 1.2 billion cards issued and accepted at 30 million merchant locations and 810,000 ATMs worldwide.

“The Philippines has a strong reputation for being a country of vibrant color in its vast natural resources, excellent beach resorts and beautiful people. What has less prominence in the minds of visitors is the variety and value for money which they get from shopping here,” said Cynthia Carrion, Travel Trade deputy executive director and Sports Tourism director of PCVC.

She added that, “Our partnership with VISA will certainly draw their attention to what our retail industry has to offer, and shoppers will be rewarded for it. By tying up with the number one payment brand in the country and in Asia Pacific, the DoT will be able to reach VISA’s massive card base in the region.”

Based on the latest VISA report, a total of $400 million was spent by tourists in the Philippines on their VISA Cards in 2002 and 37 percent of this spending ($148 million) came from cardholders from the Asia-Pacific with the top five merchant categories being hotels, retail and department stores, travel agents, restaurants and duty free stores.

For next year, the WOW Philippines Shopping Fiesta will be a year-round event. Monthly Sale Events starting February to September will be held which will highlight different shopping areas in Metro Manila every month.