Miss Universe Pia Alonzo-Wurtzbach visits the new Department of Tourism Office: Miss Universe Pia Alonzo-Wurtzbach receives a token of appreciation from Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo during the former’s visit at the new DOT Headquarters along Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati City on Monday (July 18, 2016). In a press conference after their meeting, Secretary Teo said she is grateful for the full support the reigning Miss Universe is giving to DOT’s efforts to host the upcoming Miss Universe contest in the country. “We are really hopeful that President Rodrigo R. Duterte will grant our request, especially now that this undertaking would practically entail no expense on the part of government. More importantly, it would give a big boost to businesses and livelihood of millions of people, in line with our ‘shared tourism’ program,” the DOT Chief said. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA (PNA) – The country stands to gain from its hosting of the 2016 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in January 2017, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said Thursday.
“I’m sure that after the Miss Universe, the Philippines will be in the world map. Everybody will be looking at us because during the Miss Universe contest, all the beautiful places, the destinations will be featured,” Teo said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
It will be a two-week event, with the candidates and their delegation arriving as early as January 13.
Teo said that with the hosting, the country is expected to surpass the 2016 tourist arrival target of 6 million.
In a previous briefing to get the nod of President Rodrigo Duterte, Tourism Undersecretary for Administration and Special Task Force, Atty. Falconi Millar said some 190 countries are expected to join the pageant, which will be viewed on television by 1 billion people worldwide.
Millar also noted the walking advertisements, YouTube and other social media platforms that will mention the Philippines, its beautiful places, people and food.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has said that the Philippines will be given a three-hour exposure during the grand coronation night, which will allow it to receive 21 billion media mileage.
The worldwide exposure will surely bring in economic gains in various sectors of the society, from the smallest businessman to high-end tourism stakeholders.
Teo said the ancillary events will be brought to the different provinces. Among the places that will be featured are Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, and Vigan. She clarified that other destinations in the country could be included as some local governments have signified their desire to host.
Only the main event will be held in Metro Manila, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The holding of the pre-pageant events outside Metro Manila was suggested by the President during an earlier briefing in Malacañang, with no less than Miss Universe Pia Wurtzback convincing the President to agree to the country’s hosting. This is to prevent further aggravating the traffic congestion in the metropolis, which the President is very much concerned about.
In that briefing, Teo said the hosting will not entail the use of government money as it will be jointly financed by the Miss Universe Pageant Organizers and the country’s private sector. Half of the total budget for the pageant will be spent in the Philippines for the staff and crew, the DOT has said.
Teo said that the Philippines’ hosting of the event is important, relating that after the Bahamas hosted the pageant, it recorded a 14.9 percent increase in stop-over of travelers and a 70 percent increase in tourist arrivals.
“This is of the same level as the world cup,” Teo said.