It is a tie up project of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Recreational Outdoor Exchange (R.O.X.), both hoping to boost ecotourism and to maximize the potential of the beauty of our natural resources.

The Adventure Philippines program will be different from its sister project WOW Philippines; the similarities between the two are very minimal. The main difference is that the Adventure Philippines will have more edge; it appeals to the adventurous soul that is within us. It has a fresh vibe that offers something new to all adventurers, foreign and domestic. Adventure Philippines not only aims to showcase the beautiful sites and the majestic scenery of the Philippines, but also how we can really enjoy and be part of it.

The Philippines is already famous for its white beaches, the scenic natural landscapes, and the stunning marine life, but there are still a lot of untapped ecological treasures our country can offer. Adventure Philippines will introduce these untapped resources, explore their wonder, and break away from traditional travel packages. The program will promote new activities that are hard to resist.

Tourists and local adventurers will discover new waves for surfing enthusiasts and new finds of diving sites. With over 7,107 islands of diverse experiences to entice the traveler, the Philippines is set to be South East Asia’s adventure capital. New features for Philippine tourism will also include trekking, sea kayaking, and the tranquility of bird watching. Our ecological treasures and the warmth of the Filipino people are truly world class.

Dawn of Ecotourism’s Amplification

The idea was born just a few months ago as the DoT was planning to boost ecotourism, and stumbled upon ROX, who was at that time have already specific untapped ecological spots and new adventures lined up. Jimmy Thai, CEO of R.O.X believes that the Philippines’ charms are impossible to resist and that the Philippines’ natural beauty is incomparable.

Adventure Philippines will definitely be a big boost in the economy, especially for the settlers of the new tourist spots. The farmers and fishermen from that region can be tourist guides, earning more than they used to. Another perfect example is from bird watching; it is a fact that all over the world there are passionate bird watchers who travel around the globe to get a glimpse of a specific species of a bird. Adventure Philippines capitalizes on the fact that we are host to 180 species of birds that can only be found in the Philippine skies. At present, a sad reality is that all bird watching guides in the Philippines are foreigners.

Berlin Adventure launch pad

The Adventure Philippines will be initially launched internationally this March in the coming Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB Berlin). ITB Berlin is the largest international travel fair that showcases the world’s premiere destinations and will be held on March 5 to 9 at the Center ICC in Berlin, Germany. It is an event for those in the travel industry and for people who want to catch up on the most beautiful travel destinations. The Philippines is set to reach over 180,000 people at the ITB.

"What makes this year exciting is that the international travel industry will fix its eye on holiday destinations in Asia. The United Nations World Tourism Organization has identified the region to be one of the more dynamic markets for 2008. This is definitely a great opportunity for the Philippines to build on the momentum gained from last year," Durano stresses.

Secretary Durano will lead the Philippine delegation, assisted by DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. and DoT Marketing Head for Team Europe Verna Buensuceso.The DoT believes that the country’s participation will increase visitor arrivals and encourage travelers from the European market to stay longer in the country.

Adventure Philippines will be launched locally in May. Sec Durano noted that "With how things are going in politically, it’s re-assuring to know that there’s still a bright side in our country, something to proud of and be excited about."