In its endeavor to broaden and create additional opportunities within its membership program, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) unveiled its upgraded TPB Membership Program at Luxent Hotel on March 12, 2024.
Aligned with Republic Act No. 9593, also recognized as the Tourism Act of 2009, the Tourism Promotions Board extends membership to entities, groups, and individuals with vested economic, social, or cultural interests in the travel trade, congresses, and conventions. As of the conclusion of 2023, TPB had amassed a total of 859 members hailing from various regions across the nation.
“In my brief tenure with TPB, I’ve come to recognize that you are truly the backbone of our tourism industry. There exists immense potential for us to elevate the Philippines into a global tourism leader, and this aspiration can only be realized through our collective endeavors,” expressed TPB COO Nograles while addressing stakeholders at the event.
In a bid to fortify the partnership between the agency and its members, TPB’s focal point for the year entails enhancing its membership program. This initiative aims to empower members to thrive in the digital era by providing them with the tools to harness market intelligence through a series of modules.
Furthermore, an added advantage of the revamped program is the integration of members into the Travel Philippines app. By featuring members in the app’s directory and destinations tab, it becomes more convenient for prospective travelers to connect with them for their desired vacations within the country. Moreover, the app enables members to showcase their promotions, capitalizing on a growing user base of the Travel Philippines app, thereby reaching a broader audience.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco delivered a keynote address at the event to express her endorsement of TPB’s Enhanced Membership Program. She underscored that the program’s enhancement and the integration of TPB members into the Travel Philippines app mark a significant milestone for the tourism industry, fostering stronger connections between tourists and local tourism enterprises.
“The app provides both new and existing markets with access to information about TPB members. Essentially, regardless of your location in the world, you can simply access your phone to connect tourists directly to your companies,” remarked DOT Secretary Frasco.
Also present were Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, Assistant Secretary Rica Bueno, and Assistant Secretary Verna Buensuceso. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Cristina Roque, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Roberto Lim, and Director Eduardo Pelaez graced the event to demonstrate their support. Additionally, approximately 350 representatives from various tourism enterprises attended the launch.
The inclusion of members in the Travel Philippines app and the provision of special access to market intelligence are just two of the myriad benefits that enterprises can derive from TPB’s Enhanced Membership Program. TPB also offers networking and capacity-building opportunities, access to information and promotional materials, assistance for brand enhancement, and business prospects for its program members.
