RP is the guest country in Switzerland's biggest consumer fair
Posted on January 30, 2009
And here comes the great news: The Philippines will be the featured guest country in MUBA (Mustermesse Basel), reportedly the largest and most prestigious Swiss consumer trade fair slated at the Messezentrum Basel in Switzerland on Feb. 13-22.
As guest country, the Philippines will have the rare opportunity to showcase in one huge pavilion its various export products, culture and arts, tourist destinations and services, and some general information to an expected 300,000 plus visitors, composed mainly of Swiss, German, and French nationals, who will flock to the exposition venue.
The Philippines’ major participation in this reputable event is touted as “a significant opportunity for the country to present itself to Switzerland and to the rest of Europe.”
According to the official MUBA Philippines 2009 website (the German version can be found here), the Philippine Pavilion will showcase “a tropical island paradise” featuring export-quality Philippine products as well as various tourism services, among other things. Its design features the distinct WOW Philippines logo.
Major highlights include a trade exhibit organized by the Philippine Swiss Business Council (PSBC), boutique and souvenir shops featuring export-quality Filipino handicrafts, restaurants and a travel café serving the best of Philippine cuisine, a travel center manned by Philippine and Swiss travel trade executives, and a spa and wellness center showcasing the traditional Pinoy massage.
On top of these, there will be craft demonstrations such as tobacco making, buntal/nipa products making, weaving, and painting to give MUBA visitors a glimpse of Philippine arts and crafts.
For his part, Philippine Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said in his official message published in the MUBA 2009 website that they (the Philippine national organizing committee for the event) are “honored, as featured guest country, to bring ’100 percent Philippines’ to MUBA 2009″:
“Our Pavilion of three islands showcases 100 percent Filipino creativity and innovation, showcasing Philippine products designed and created using indigenous materials applied in modern fashion. The pavilion will pique the curiosity of all visitors and participants to explore 100 percent nature and adventure in all destinations, attractions and landmarks, and to experience 100 percent life in our fusion cuisine, wellness and wholeness products, homegrown entertainment and artistry.”
Secretary Durano also congratulated the MUBA organizers, composed of prime movers in the government and private sectors, and then invited people to visit the Philippine Pavilion at MUBA to experience the famous “Filipino warmth and hospitality.”
The Philippine’s participation in MUBA 2009 is spearheaded by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and its implementing arm Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), with major contributions from the private sector, through the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Fairs & More, Incorporated (FMI) of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).
This is welcome news for the Philippines, which is relatively unknown or one of the least favorite Southeast Asian destinations in this part of Europe. Most Swiss tourists opt to fly to Asian destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia for their holidays. Reasons for not visiting the Philippines vary — from “the country being a dangerous place” to “underdeveloped tourist facilities and amenities as compared to its neighboring countries” to “a very corrupt government.”
Incidentally, the Philippines is not usually featured in some of the major travel information magazines of Swiss tour operators, probably because of the lack of demand for Philippine tourist information. A number of Swiss travelers often comment on the “very dangerous situation” in the Philippines, citing the terrorist attacks in the Mindanao region, which had garnered quite a lot of international media attention in the past.
A November 2006-October 2007 Hotelplan tourist information booklet, for instance, had featured various tourist packages for countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China/Hong Kong, and Japan, packed with lots of helpful tourist information. The Philippines, unfortunately, had not been included on that particular list for unknown reasons. Similarly, STA Travel, in its December 2005-August 2007 travel catalogue, listed down Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, China, and Tibet, but not the Philippines.
However, the Philippine got a bit of exposure in the 357-page Tourasia tourist information magazine dated November 2006-October 2007. Popular destinations like Boracay, Cebu, and Manila were featured in a 11-page section, but nothing more.
Hopefully, with the country’s major pavilion presence in Switzerland’s largest shopping fair in February, the Philippines will get a major boost in its economy in general, and in its tourism industry in particular.
DOT, along with its partners from the private sector, can prove once and for all that the Philippines has what it takes to be a remarkable tourist destination in Southeast Asia, given the chance. (Photo taken from the press relations web page of the MUBA wesbite)
TIDBITS: Filipino-American celebrity video blogger Christine Gambino of the popular humor blog Happy Slip shares her wonderful Philippine travel experiences in the following YouTube videos (click “Read more” to view her six-part video series). Gambino was tapped last year by the Philippine Department of Tourism to promote the Philippines in her Happy Slip blog and YouTube video log.
Episode 1: “It Begins”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qIK1PVWG60&hl=en&fs=1]
Episode 2: “Let’s Dance in Bohol”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0aR6cnZOWE&hl=en&fs=1]
(Note: Click here to view the bonus Bohol footage.)
Episode 3: “See U in Cebu”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oldzPajBSM&hl=en&fs=1]
Episode 4: “Boracay to Palawan”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k38ve0DQ-II&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Episode 5: “Extremely Hot Therapy”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XADhfWngYbA&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Episode 6: “My Other Home”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3NBQGWUm6U&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
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Comments
4 Responses to “RP is the guest country in Switzerland's biggest consumer fair”
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MUBA definitely is the biggest lifestyle trade show in Switzerland. The Philippines being the guest country will have some impact on awareness.
Good for you!
great news ! Hope the Phil show is a success. BTW I enjoyed the videos
Hope you can post some pics of the event.
Happyslip is one great Pinay.
I’m also looking forward to checking out the MUBA especially since the Bayanihan Dancers will also be performing there. I wonder how well the Philippine travel exhibit will be received. Will I get a chance to see you there too?