Deadline for Registration for 5th ACGTDT INQUIRER.net
May 26, 2009
Lower Tour Package Rates Available
The deadline for registration for the 5th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) of the Philippines has been extended to June 15, 2009. The ACGTDT aims not only to promote the Philippines as an ideal tourist destination among second and third generation Filipino-Americans/Canadians as they discover the homeland of their parents/grandparents, but as a vacation paradise where they always feel at home amidst the friendliness and hospitality of local people, and embrace and call the Philippines as their own.
The Basic Tour runs from July 11-14 and to be followed by Optional Post Tours on July 14-17, 2009. The delegation from San Francisco which is led by Consul General Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. departs for the Philippines on July 9 via Philippine Airlines. The 3N/4D basic tour package covers programs and activities in Metro Manila and nearby Luzon destinations.
The cost of Basic Tour has been reduced to only $1,399 which includes roundtrip international ticket (SF-MNL-SF) via Philippine Airlines, 3-night accommodations, based on twin-sharing, at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, daily buffet breakfast, daily lunch, dinners with cultural show/entertainment, and a city tour of Metro Manila. An optional ABS-CBN studio tour with WOWOWEE show participation is available on first come-first served basis at an additional fee. Asiana Airlines also offers a lower rate of $1260 which includes the same tour components with an extra choice of city tour or hotel stay in Seoul on the return trip to the US. The return trip for both carriers should not be later than September 8, 2009.
The highlight of the tour is an audience and a photo-opportunity with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and a tour of Malacañang Palace and its museum. Also included are wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal monument, a farewell dinner with entertainment, airport amenities with transfers to and from the hotel and a choice of any of the following day tours to nearby tourist destinations, like Corregidor (history), Villa Escudero (countryside), Laguna Loop (artistry), or Taal/Tagaytay (nature).
After completing the Basic Tour in Metro Manila, participants may opt to avail of the Post-Basic Tours for an additional fee. The destination choices include Cebu/Bohol (beach, culture, chocolate hills, tarsier), Aklan/Boracay (eco-tourism, beach, water sports), Puerto Princesa, Palawan (underground river, beach, eco-tourism, country-side), Baguio/La Union (mountainscape, arts and culture, beach, culinary), Banaue/Sagada, (mountainscape, tribal villages, culture), Laoag/Vigan (history, heritage, arts and culture, pilgrimage).
Like in the previous years, hundreds of participants are expected to join this year’s tour, and they are introduced to the country’s leading tourist destinations, to niche products and activities like adventure, health and wellness, and entertainment. Interested participants will also have the option to learn more about potential areas for investments, livelihood, business and retirement.
For registration and other information, please contact the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in San Francisco at (415) 433-6666 ext. 314, Email sanfranciscopcg2004@yahoo.com or the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) in San Francisco at (415) 9564060, Email pdotsf@aol.com. Interested participants may log on to www.experiencephilippines.ph
