http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/baguio-visitors-bureau-most-outstanding-in-north-phil.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/baguio-visitors-bureau-most-outstanding-in-north-phil.html Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Patrick Gregorio, North Philippines Visitors Bureau executive director, during BCVB's 1st General Membership Assembly and Christmas party noted the initial success of the bureau in leading the tourism industry in the North Philippines. He said BCVB members do not only stay in their area to promote tourism but visit other places to expand their marketing and promotion of what Baguio tourism can offer to people. "Your passion and drive to bring Baguio tourism in other places made BCVB outstanding in North Philippines," he said.

A marketing and promotion arm of Baguio Tourism Council, BCVB is under the umbrella group of NPVB, which in partnership with the Manila North Tollways Corporation, has given birth to the high profile marketing thrust called "Rediscover the North throughout the NLEX". Through the "Rediscover the North," Baguio-Cordillera events like the Open Chess and Fil-Am Golf Tournaments, Wow Philippines-Cordillera's Best, and PEZAlubong, are being displayed in the NLEX Conventions and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Information boards along its exits. With this, tourists and travelers get initial glimpses of tourism-related events and activities in North Philippines, which can stir up excitement to visit theses places adding up domestic and foreign tourist arrivals.

The BCVB has also joined in various international tourism fairs showcasing Cordilleras' best which has earned incomes to the Region, like the North Philippines International Tourism Fair held in Pampanga recently.

To push BCVB's programs and activities, it has also been involved in different fund-raising activities. BCVB has sponsored and initiated Baguio events together with City Tourism Office and the Department of Tourism.

BCVB is also promoting and helping polish the details of the coming Panagbenga 2007 and the 1, 000 Day Countdown to 2009 Baguio Centennial which are major events for next year.

BCVB also launched its website containing vast information that would promote Baguio tourism globally. It is linked to visitbaguiocity.com where anyone can view anything about Baguio.

The BCVB, a private-led and government-supported organization, envisions within five years a Baguio as an enhanced premier tourist and convention destination in the country enjoying a progressive growth in the volume of both domestic and foreign travelers due to improved services and tourist facilities and unique products and events.

With just more than 10 initial members in April 2006, BCVB has now more than 65 members, guided with one desire of promoting tourism strategies that would boost tourism and convention arrivals in the City of Baguio. Since BCVB is also a community endeavor, anyone is welcome to be a member of BCVB, and be part of promoting Baguio's culture, tourism, and people.

The Baguio Convention & Visitors Bureau (BCVB) is the official destination marketing organization of Baguio City. The BCVB brings visitors to Baguio City by promoting tourism, conventions, meetings and special events. The Baguio Conventions & Visitors Bureau (BCVB), a private sector led, non-stock, membership-based organization, is tasked to promote tourism attractions, activities, and events of Metro Baguio. It is the marketing and promotions arm of the Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) and is under the umbrella group of the North Philippine Visitors Bureau. The BCVB is working in tandem with the Manila Tollways Corporation which has given birth to the high profile marketing thrust called Rediscover the North through the NLEX.

More information: www.visitbaguiocity.com
Email: bcvb at pldtdsl.net

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The Author is From The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) is the official information arm of the Philippine government, member of the Presidential Communications Group.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/baguio-promoted-as-rps-convention-capital.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/baguio-promoted-as-rps-convention-capital.html Sat, 09 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
"We want all roads leading to Baguio not only during summer, but throughout the year," said Dangal Guevara Jr., an officer of the Baguio Conventions and Visitors Bureau (BCVB).

Noting this mountain city's consistently cool climate even as lowlanders swelter in blistering heat, Guevara said that selling Baguio as a convention center can't be too difficult. He said that people flock to Baguio for several other reasons. "There are many ways to package Baguio — as a university city, a honeymoon haven, or a travel and adventure destination.”

He noted that tourism in Baguio traditionally peaks in February when the Panagbenga Festival is held. The Panagbenga, which attracts local and foreign tourists, also ushers in the Holy Week exodus of holiday-seekers trying to escape the scorching temperature in the lowlands.

After summer, however, tourism and other businesses generally slow down, with the slack prevalent for the greater part the year. To fill up the void, the BCVB decided to launch a vigorous tourism campaign designed to encourage businessmen to hold their conventions in Baguio. The decision was firmed up during a recent marketing forum spearheaded by the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) in connection with the company’s "Rediscover the North," a campaign meant to promote the tourist spots of northern Philippines.

Guevara said the city has adequate facilities to host any convention, ranging from modest company meetings to industry congresses. "Depending on the company's needs, we have a place to offer. If it's a big gathering, we have the 3,000-seat Baguio Convention Center, or the entire Camp John Hay. For modest ones, we can offer the universities and hotels as venues," Guevara said.

What makes Baguio best for conventions is that it has the facilities of both an urban center and a rural resort. It has restaurants that Metro Manila has. Additionally, it has hot springs and wellness centers in natural settings. For nature-lovers and the more adventurous souls, Baguio has enough areas for trekking and kayaking.

Guevara said corporations eyeing Baguio as a convention site should not encounter any problem about coordination. "All they need to do is get in touch with us, and we will help them facilitate the processes. For big events, we can even act as the secretariat,” Guevara said, adding that the BCVB personnel, being homegrown, know the place like the palm of their hands, as well as the sentiments and culture of the people. Such familiarity, he said, comes in handy for the success of big events such as the Advertising Congress. “We can make different venues work together. The BCVB can do the negotiations. We're here to make everyone win," Guevara said.

For more information visit Baguio Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website www.visitbaguiocity.com.


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Dexter See is a travel writer.

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