PH EMBASSY, PDOT-NY LAUNCHES 2024 VIP TOUR

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (center) and Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr. (rightmost) together with Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal (second from the right), Senior Tourism Operations Officer and Administrative Officer Ms. Katherine Ambion-Alcantara (leftmost), and Rajah Tours President Jose Clemente III (second from the left)

The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism’s (PDOT) New York Office, launched the 2024 edition of the Very Important Pinoy Tour (VIP Tour) at the Embassy’s Romulo Hall on January 25, 2024.

As a flagship initiative of Philippine foreign service posts throughout the United States, the VIP Tour offers Filipino-Americans and international visitors a chance to engage with Filipino culture and hospitality. It provides a unique opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the vibrant experiences, sights, and sounds of diverse tourist destinations across the Philippines. This year's itinerary is scheduled from July 21 to 30, and offers participants the unique opportunity to explore attractions across all three major island groups of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas warmly welcomed attendees and viewers, and enthusiastically urged everyone to participate in the VIP Tour. In his remarks, Consul General Arribas highlighted that the United States is a significant contributor to the thriving tourism industry of the Philippines as American tourists have dominated the visitor count in recent years. “The sustained enthusiasm from Filipinos and Americans reflects the enduring success of the VIP Tour in bridging cultural gaps and creating lasting connections between the two nations,” he added.

Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal and Rajah Tours President Mr. Jose C. Clemente III shared with the audience the itinerary and cost details of the 2024 VIP Tour, covering key locations in Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Bukidnon. Mr. Lardizabal also presented the Department of Tourism’s new campaign, “Love the Philippines”.

The itinerary, registration process, and other important details about the 2024 VIP Tour can be accessed through its website.

The launch is available on-demand at the Embassy’s official Facebook page here.

Additional travel details about the Philippines can be found at the 7641 Islands of the Philippines website.