Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Jaime Ramon Ascalon Jr. gives his opening remarks during the VIP Tour Launch at the Philippine Embassy
– The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism’s (PDOT) New York Office, launched the Very Important Pinoy Tour (VIP Tour) at the Romulo Hall on February 3, 2023. The launch was livestreamed and is available to watch on demand at the Embassy’s official Facebook page.
On behalf of Ambassador Romualdez,
Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr. welcomed the participants and viewers to the launch, and encouraged everyone to join the VIP Tour, which will take place from 16 to 24 July 2023 in Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay.
The VIP Tour, a major program of all Philippine foreign service posts in the United States, provides Filipino-Americans and foreigners the opportunity to experience Filipino culture and hospitality and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of various tourist destinations around the Philippines. Participants may also avail themselves of other add-on tours to destinations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao should they wish to stay longer in the Philippines.
In his remarks, CDA Ascalon said that the Embassy and Philippine Consulates General in the United States hope that the program would encourage more travelers to visit the Philippines, especially after Philippine tourism continues to recover from the pandemic. “Our team, in partnership with Philippine Tourism Attaches and Rajah Tours, have developed a more inclusive, more exciting, and more immersive tour that will allow you to choose and create your own unique Philippine adventure,” he added.
Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal and Atty. Alejandra Clemente of Rajah Tours shared with the audience the details of the 2023 VIP Tour, particularly the itinerary and details of the packages. Mr. Lardizabal also presented the Department of Tourism’s new program, the “Bisita Be My Guest”.
Apart from the 2023 VIP Tour Launch, the PDOT-New York delegation showcased everything the Philippines has to offer as a top travel destination during the Washington, D.C. travel and adventure show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on February 4-5, 2023.
The itinerary and other important details about the VIP Tour can be accessed at its website at www.viptourphilippines2023.com and on the official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/veryimportantpinoytour2023. Rewatch the launch on demand here: https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA/videos/1219560608671669. Additional travel details about the Philippines can be found here https://www.7641islands.ph/
Tourism Attaché Francisco Hilario Lardizabal presents the details of the VIP tour to attendees
(L-R) Public Diplomacy Section Head Mark Lim, PAL Executive Syed Shahid, Rajah Tours Representative Alejandra Clemente,Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Jaime Ramon Ascalon, Jr., Tourism Attaché Francisco Hilario Lardizabal, and Tourism Officer Luz A. Navarro
(L-R) PAL Executive Syed Shahid, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Jaime Ramon Ascalon, Jr., Tourism Attaché Francisco Hilario Lardizabal at the Washington DC travel and adventure Expo
PAL Executive Syed Shahid (left) and Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Jaime Ramon Ascalon, Jr. (right) engage a participant at the Philippines' Booth at the Washington DC travel and adventure Expo