The Consulate General of the Philippines in Dubai and N. Emirates notes that its April 2013 visa applications is the highest in the first quarter in three years. The figure also enjoys a 6.5% increase compared with April 2012 figure.

The Q1 average for 2013 is 8.6% higher than 2012 Q1 average, which saw a 13% increase from 2011 Q1.

This number coincides with the second familiarization tour launched this year by the Department of Tourism – Middle East Office, in cooperation with Emirates Airlines. The 2nd Philippine Familiarization Tour and Business Meeting for eleven (11) key travel trade professionals based in United Arab Emirates covered the destinations Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and Clark from April 22-30, 2013.

Familiarization (Fam) Tours are productive tools in acquainting, intimating, informing and providing first-hand experience of the Philippine tourism products and services among the foreign travel operators. It is aimed at bringing the travel and tourism industry specialists to experience and visualize that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines. The business meeting, on the other hand, provides opportunity for tabletop negotiations between UAE-based travel agents and their counterparts in the Philippines.

The Consulate General is expecting more visitors to the Philippines with the country’s participation in Arabian Travel Market this May 2013.