APART from searching for new and emerging tourist markets, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is reviving links with countries whose residents used to frequent the Philippine’s tourist destinations.

Besides the Middle East, the DOT has also set its sights on Israel where many residents are fond of sports and adventure activities.

"Matod Pa Sa Lola ni Noy Kulas." Join the story-writing contest on Cebuano folklore and win prizes.

This year, the DOT hopes to see a 40-percent growth in visitor arrivals from Israel. The agency is also hoping that Israel will become the Philippines’ top tourist markets next year.

“According to them (Israelis), they kept coming to the Philippines 10 years ago. As the years went by, their arrival figures declined. We don’t know why,” said Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr.

But he said the country needs to implement marketing and promotional programs in Israel to persuade more Israelis to visit adventure and eco-tourism destinations in the Philippines.

More traffic

In a visit to Cebu in May last year, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Zvi Aviner Vapni said the two countries have the capabilities to increase tourist traffic both ways, but lack the awareness of each other’s potentials.

Currently, the Philippines is competing with Thailand and Malaysia, which are also offering adventure and eco-tourism packages to attract more Israeli travelers.

“(At present) Israel’s numbers (in terms of arrivals to the Philippines) are not great; we are not talking of the same numbers as China and India. But the quality of travelers is there. Israelis are good spenders and we have the potential to provide them with value-for-money adventure packages,” said Jarque.

He added that DOT expects an increase in Israeli tourists after the airing of hit reality show “Survivor”—which featured Caramoan, Camarines Sur—in Israel in October this year.

Jarque said Israeli travelers would come in groups and would likely spend about a week in a tourist destination. DOT is also eyeing Israelis who want to go on vacation after their mandatory military service training.

Jarque said the DOT is in talks with 12 tour operators based in Israel to develop new products for the Israeli tourism market. The DOT is organizing a familiarization tour for the tour operators this year.

The DOT is also coordinating with Philippine Ambassador to Israel Petronila Garcia to make the trip of Israeli tourists to the Philippines more efficient.

Jarque accompanied Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano during the unveiling of the Open Doors monument at the Rishon Lezion Memorial Park in Israel last June 21. The historical landmark recognizes the Philippines for its support to the European Jews who sought refuge from the Holocaust in the 1930s.