Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco delivers her message as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker at the “Love the Philippines: Tourism and Travel Forum” organized between the DOT-Sydney office and the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) on Wednesday (October 9) at The Westin Perth, Australia.
Australia was underscored as a vital source of visitor arrivals.
From left to right: Department of Tourism (DOT) – Sydney Tourism Attache Prificacion Molintas, DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Her Excellency (H.E.) Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) President Rafael Toda, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Area Manager for Australia Krystle Ramirez 0 Gastrock, and Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Perth, Australia Melissa Dalisay Aguasa.
Strong support from stakeholders
In her speech, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Her Excellency (H.E.) Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega highlighted the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia, noting that business events and forums “continue to build on the positive momentum of deepening bilateral relations” highlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visits to Australia in February and March 2024 for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.
The Ambassador further emphasized that the Philippines remains a top choice for Australian tourists, strengthened by the introduction of direct flights from Manila to Perth via Philippine Airlines. This contributed to a surge in tourist numbers, “from 112,500 in 2022 to 233,170 in 2024,” according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“Filipino communities here in Australia are our best champions in showcasing our culture, our heritage, and the warmth of Filipino hospitality. The overseas Philippine community is instrumental in enhancing Australia’s appreciation of the Philippines. We hope that with your steadfast support, we will continue building on these strong foundations. Our country’s tourism industry proudly flies under the banner of Love The Philippines. It’s all over and inside this venue, and I hope you can feel the love. This simple yet powerful slogan captures the heart of what makes the Philippines truly special. It appeals to both the emotion and experience to encourage visitors, and our kababayans overseas to not only form meaningful connections but also to learn and discover more about the Philippines in a way that leaves a lasting impact. It also reflects a call to responsibility that to Love The Philippines, means to explore it with respect for its culture, people, and of environmental sustainability,” Ambassador De La Vega said.
She also emphasized that the Philippines remains a prime destination for foreign investments, attributing this to the country’s infrastructure development, which serves as a key driver of sustained economic growth. She highlighted the opportunity to position the Philippines as a top tourist destination that values environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and inclusive growth.
“The Philippine Embassy, together with Consulates General in Sydney and Melbourne and our network of Honorary Consuls in Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, and Tasmania, is working hand in hand with the Department of Tourism in Sydney to provide full support as you consider investing in the Philippines’ tourism sector. We are committed to promoting sustainable tourism, knowing that these efforts resonate deeply with Australian tourists and investors who increasingly seek meaningful, enjoyable, and eco-friendly, responsible travel experiences. Together, let us love the Philippines,” Ambassador De La Vega concluded.
APBC President Rafael Toda provided updates on the council’s tourism initiatives, including its collaboration with the DOT and stakeholders.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) together with the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) jointly hold the “Love the Philippines: Tourism and Travel Forum” at the Westin Perth, Australia, on October 9, 2024, to strengthen tourism ties and promote sustainable travel between the Philippines and Australia.
“In May of this year, the APBC partnered with the Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines, Rajah Tours from the Philippines, and Perth’s own Guru Productions to showcase Northern Philippines on Explore TV, a travel and lifestyle show. Our Philippine episode will air on the national Nine Network across Australia later this month and in over 140 countries throughout 2025, featuring destinations such as Manila, Baguio, and Pampanga,” Toda shared.
Trevor Cochrane from Guru Productions also spoke at the forum, sharing his experiences filming in the Philippines: “There is an asset that the Philippines has, and after producing more than 150 episodes internationally in probably the best part of 75 countries, it’s an asset that the Philippines has that I don’t think anybody else can meet, and that is the people. The friends. Travel is about special experiences, and the people make those experiences unforgettable.”
Meanwhile, Krystle P. Ramirez-Gastrock, Area Manager for Australia of Philippine Airlines (PAL), provided exciting updates on the flag carrier’s services.
“Starting October 27, Philippine Airlines will offer daily flights between Brisbane and Manila, expanding total weekly flights between Australia and the Philippines to 22 non-stop connections across four cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. This represents a 22% increase in frequency compared to our normal pre-pandemic operations, making us the airline with the widest network of flights between Australia and the Philippines,” the PAL official said.
Dr. Diane Lee, Academy Chair of the Tourism and Events Program at Murdoch University, shared her thoughts on sustainable and regenerative tourism: “My values about sustainable tourism are that it’s not a niche product, and that sentiment is echoed by the discussions we’ve had here. It should infiltrate all sorts of tourism in all different ways,” Lee said.
DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Ronald Conopio, DOT-Sydney Tourism Attaché Purificacion Molintas, leaders and members of the Filipino community in Australia, and private sector partners such as Megaworld Hotels and Resorts were also in attendance. Jenny Ryall, APBC Vice President, hosted the forum.
