Palace insists Pinoys on board with new tourism slogan

Malacañang on Sunday claimed Filipinos are “getting on board” with the new tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” even as it continued to fend off criticisms against the new catchphrase. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte cited several netizens who posted online their own photos showing why it is fun in the Philippines. “You can see the reactions online, everyone is getting on board. Everyone is having fun with the slogan ... A lot of the photos our citizens made for themselves nilabas nila (they showed Filipinos) biking... mountain climbing. It seems people are on board, staunchly behind the Department of Tourism,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. She added the reaction of Filipinos – at least those online – indicate the slogan is “widely accepted by our people.” Valte also urged critics to hold their judgment of the new slogan, which the DOT unveiled Friday, at least until figures on tourist arrivals this year come out. “The measure of how effective the slogan will be can be seen in the figures, the number of tourist arrivals the country will have,” she said. On the other hand, Valte claimed the “Wow Philippines” slogan by former tourism secretary and senator – and defeated presidential bet – Richard Gordon was not too effective in some countries. She said the “Wow Philippines” slogan “did not make sense” to Germans because they pronounced “W” as “V.” In Japan, she said there was no direct translation of “Wow,” so the slogan was not too effective. “In the US, our biggest tourist market hindi rin ganoon kalaki ang impact,” she said. Meanwhile, Valte also said there has been no indication from President Benigno Aquino III he will review the slogan. “The president has not said anything to that effect. Nakita natin (we have seen) the entire government is on board,” she said. She said the government even has “fun” with economic stories by placing the hashtags “It’s more funds in the Philippines.” — LBG, GMA News