The "quality" of waves in the country’s surfing capital, Siargao, in Surigao Province is what attracted the Japanese surfers to the Philippines, said Tourism Secretary Roberto "Obet" Pagdanganan.
"The surfers’ niche is a fast growing segment of the Japanese overseas travel market with an estimated 1.5 million members all over Japan," Pagdanganan said.
"Aside from the quality of ‘waves’, proximity and affordability makes the Philippines a competitive surf destination," added Tourism Attaché to Tokyo Benito Bengzon. He further said that Siargao, in particular, is fast becoming a popular surf destination among the Japanese.
Early this month, a group of Japanese professional surfers, sports travel agents and media were in the country for a 10-day surfing experience at the country’s surfing capital-Siargao.
Aside from Siargao, other exciting surfing destinations in the Philippines are in the beaches of La Union, Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Samar, Leyte all along the Pacific coast. It is in these beaches where the great waves like Cloud 9, Tuason Point, Majestics and Cemento are found and ranked with the best in the world. Furthermore, the beaches and the waves are still un-crowded.
Japan is the country’s second largest market in terms of tourist arrivals, covering 16.7 percent of the total arrivals for the first quarter of this year overtaking Korea which now ranked third.
Aside from sports destinations, other niche markets of the Philippines for the Japan market are the family holidays in resorts and beaches, and the office ladies market. Golf and scuba diving top the list in sports niche with surfing as an emerging market.
Another emerging market according to the DoT is the second generation Filipino-Japanese group. Based on the latest statistical report made by the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, unions between Filipinos and Japanese have now reached 7,000 per year.
The DoT continues with its intensive marketing to attract more Japanese to the country. Just recently, the DoT Tokyo Office made its direct PR campaign to the 37,000 visitors of the newly-opened Aqua Kisarazu Department Store in Chiba prefecture.
The DoT further noted aggressive marketing initiatives to include tie-ups with airlines, incentive travel companies and familiarization trips.
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