Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed confidence of the country’s capability as she delivered her keynote message during the International Basketball Federation FIBA luncheon hosted by the PLDT Group.
“Last March through Malacañang Administrative Order Number 5, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the formation of an inter-agency task force directing a whole of government approach towards supporting the FIBA World Cup. We are glad that our President is very eager to support sports tourism in the country and eager to support the efforts of MVP, PLDT, SMART and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to ensure that the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines is a rousing success,” Frasco said.
“We are glad that our President is very eager to support sports tourism in the country.”
The luncheon brought together over 20 Ambassadors and Consuls, along with PLDT and FIBA executives, to celebrate the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 which the Philippines will co-host with Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10.
“As we prepare to welcome the world to our shores and our beautiful country, the spectators and participants of the FIBA World Cup, this collaboration in our tourism consortium has resulted in the formation of tour packages that will ensure authentic, immersive, and genuine experiences in the Philippines,” the tourism chief said.
“We view FIBA World Cup as an opportunity for our country to reintroduce itself to the world, not only on the aspect of fun and adventure which we have so far articulated, but also, most importantly, to reintroduce to the world, the strength and diversity of our culture, our long and storied history, our rich heritage, and the love and warmth of the Filipino people,” the tourism head added.
“In support of the upcoming event, the DOT and tourism stakeholders have come up with FIBA-exclusive tour packages with options of 3 days and 2 nights or 4 days and 3 nights that visitors can book from August 1 to September 30 through the Department’s website.”
In support of the upcoming event, she shared that the DOT, together with tourism stakeholders like the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), the Hotel Sales and Marketing Professionals (HSMA), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), have come up with FIBA-exclusive tour packages with options of 3 days and 2 nights or 4 days and 3 nights that visitors can book from August 1 to September 30 through the Department’s website.
In the same event, guests got to meet JIP, the official mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
JIP, representing three co-hosting nations Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, embodies the vision of uniting people through basketball and celebrating the spirit of togetherness.
