Mr. Richmond Jimenez (right) Tourism Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) Office in Los Angeles, with Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (left).
Mr. Richmond Jimenez, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) Director based in Los Angeles, California, paid a courtesy call on Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin on 28 November 2016 at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mr. Jimenez assumed his position on 22 January 2016 as Director of the DOT office in Los Angeles, which has jurisdiction over Northwest America, Mexico, parts of Latin America and Hawaii.
During the courtesy call, Mr. Jimenez informed the Consul General of his priorities to promote the Philippines as a tourist haven and to entice more tourist arrivals in the country. He said that more than its strategic location and its beaches, the Philippines has more to offer such as its vibrant culture, flavorful cuisine and the warmth of hospitality of the Filipino people.
He added that the DOT, with its “Visit the Philippines Again 2016” marketing campaign” continues to come up with strategies to reach its target of 6 million international visitors for this year. Some strategies include developing niche markets for particular interest groups, encouraging airlines and travel agencies to provide additional flights and affordable packages for those who are interested to travel to the Philippines. Mr. Jimenez would like to tap the second and third generations of Filipino Americans, or the millennials, who are more adventurous and have money to spend on travels.
Mr. Jimenez also offered to collaborate with the Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community in Hawaii for projects and activities promoting tourism, culture and education in the future.
The Philippine Consulate also invited key members of the Filipino community for a luncheon hosted by Mr. Jimenez to discuss areas of collaboration between the DOT and the Filipino community in Hawaii. Such potential projects include a familiarization tour to the Philippines, and support for annual activities such as Philippine Independence Day, Flores de Mayo Filipino Fiesta, Honolulu Festival and the Sakada Day celebration (END).
