WATCH | DOT brings more interactive fun to London’s Canary Wharf

August 17, 2017 - 6:59 PM
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A man tries out the virtual reality booth featuring Palawan's attractive underwater landscape. The exhibit is part of DOT's tourism show in London's Canary Wharf. Screen grab from DOT video.

London, England—The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) recently made its “More Fun in the Philippines” campaign felt in the city’s financial capital, Canary Wharf.

It’s the second year that PDOT has mounted a successful two-day road show in the city.

In 2016, London’s Potters Field Park was transformed into an attractive Philippine tourism showcase that also extended to the Waterloo’s and King’s Cross’ stations.

This year, however, the Philippine fiesta theme went up a notch with the presence of virtual reality pods and interactive booths. Iconic images like Bohol’s famous tarsier, the Banaue rice terraces, and the Manila jeepney, to name a few, were featured in 30 digital screens and 40 static posters scattered all over Canary Wharf’s malls.

An experiential zone located just outside the main station enticed passersby to learn more about the Philippines and its top tourist spots.

A woman gets her photo taken at a DOT booth during the tourism office’s recent promotional activity in London’s Canary Wharf. Screen grab from DOT video.

Taste Philippines
PDOT made sure to bring in some delicious Pinoy treats via food samplings of native delicacies like turon and sorbetes (homemade ice cream)  in ube, mango, and macapuno flavors.

Filipino delicacies like ‘turon’ and sweet treats like purple yam and mango ‘sorbetes’ are served as free samples to guests during a recent DOT promotional activity in London’s Canary Wharf. Photo courtesy of DOT.

Multi-awarded bartender Dennis Barela also wowed the crowd with his flair bartending show. And, of course, cultural performers danced the tinikling and invited spectators to try moving with them as well.

Tourism attaché Gerry Panga shared, “The Canary Wharf Station has 1.2 million footfall a week. There are also more than 100,000 working professionals who hold office in the area. The consumer activation is meant to engage the British consumers for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Philippines not only as a leisure destination but business as well.”

Partners of the two-day presentation—Premier Holidays, Hayes and Jarvis, Crystal Travel, and Selective Asia—created attractive holiday packages to the Philippines to encourage more Londoners to consider the Philippines for their holidays.

Participating tour operators offered on-the-spot booking services while national carrier Philippine Airlines gave special fares to the Philippines.

Selective Asia launched its nine-night holiday package to the Philippines, in partnership with DOT and Philippines Airlines.

PDOT officers and their team, and Filipino cultural performers gather during a recent Philippine tourism promotional activity at London’s Canary Wharf. Photo courtesy of DOT.

To top off all these fun features, the DOT also launched a raffle draw where participants get to win a luxury holiday for two to Palawan, which has constantly been voted by top travel publications and sites as the “best island in the world.”

The prize includes a stay in Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Sabang and Kalaw, and Balai Adlao in El Nido, plus a stay at Henry Hotel and Manila Hotel.

Interested parties looking forward to win a luxurious Palawan holiday may join the contest, which runs till August 31. For more details, visit selectiveasia.com/competition.

Meanwhile, take a look at the fun DOT event at Canary Wharf.