Boracay businessmen welcome tourism slogan

ILOILO CITY — Business owners on Boracay Island have welcomed the Department of Tourism’s new campaign slogan, “It’s More Fund in the Philippines,” saying it will help boost tourist arrivals in the country.

“It’s very well-thought-out, exciting and jolly,” said Ariel Abriam, president of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Abriam said the slogan, which was launched last week, was a catchphrase to which most tourists could relate.

“Filipinos are among the happiest and warmest people in the world, especially toward guests,” he told the Inquirer in a telephone interview on Sunday.

He said the new slogan was “much better” than the previous one. In 2011, the DOT launched but later withdrew “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” (Beautiful Philippines) after the slogan drew controversy for the similarity of its logo to that of Poland.

The new one also drew criticism for being similar to the campaign slogan of Switzerland in the 1950s. But the DOT has said this was coincidental.

Dionisio Salme, president of Boracay Foundation Inc., said his group welcomed the new slogan. “It is catchy for all ages because it caters to a broad audience,” he said.  /INQUIRER