TO cope with the global financial crisis, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has intensified efforts to bring in more expatriates and their families from the Middle East this year.

The DOT is eyeing the travel market in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

At the same time, it plans to continue efforts to penetrate other new tourist markets, including Russia, China and India.

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“The Middle East has been identified as an important market for the Philippines. The growth rate of arrivals coming from the Middle East has been encouraging,” said Benito Bengzon Jr., director of DOT’s Office of Tourism Coordination.

At the sidelines of the Third Philippine International Travel Fair (PITF) at the Marco Polo Cebu yesterday, Bengzon told reporters that the number of visitor arrivals from the UAE grew 32 percent in 2008 over 2007 figures.

“The Middle East market is here for shopping and the resorts. They shop various Philippine products, from apparel to handicrafts,” he said.

Godfrey Lim Dungal Jr., general manager of Dubai-based travel agency Seat Holidays Dubai, confirmed this. He said that this new tourist market prefers leisure, relaxation and night life.

Big spenders

He said tourists from UAE would stay in the country for an average of seven days and are good spenders, especially when they come with their families.

“The Arabians love to go to Far East countries like Malaysia and Thailand. The Philippines is a new destination for them,” he said.

Dingal is among the three tourism buyers from the Middle East who attended the annual PITF, which is participated in by more than 50 international buyers and more than 100 sellers.

In the Philippines, Dingal said that most Middle Eastern travelers could be found in Manila, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu general manager Hans Hauri observed, though, that Manila is currently in a good position to attract more Middle Eastern travelers due to the presence of many direct linkages.

He said that while the Philippines is slowly gaining ground in attracting the Middle East, he noted that it would take time for a new market to be developed.

Efren Belarmino, general manager of Plantation Bay Resort Cebu, said the resort is also eyeing the Middle East travel market while looking at regional travelers.

Bengzon raised the need to invite more travel agents, media practitioners and decision makers from this new market to come to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Dingal urged local tourism stakeholders to organize more proper itineraries and attractive packages involving city tours and outdoor excursions.

Jenny Franco, chairman of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies-Cebu Chapter, said tour operators are also developing and introducing new packages.

She cited sample packages that include an enhanced city tour, as well as sports and adventure activities in the countryside, targeted at both foreign and local tOurists.

“We also want to provide packages that would allow tourists to interact with local people and introduce them to Filipino cuisine,” Franco said.