Michelle Marquez Dee
MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee was invited to be country’s newest tourism ambassador, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Friday.
The DOT, in a statement, said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco extended the invitation herself during Dee’s courtesy call at the DOT central office in Makati.
“On behalf of the Department of Tourism, I would like to extend my gratitude for your support for Philippine tourism as well as for carrying Love the Philippines, and I extend to you my invitation for you to continue to be an ambassador of tourism for our country,” said Frasco.
Frasco was referring to the outfit donned by Dee during the Miss Universe 2023’s national costume portion, where a “Love the Philippines” slogan can be seen.
Apart from being a tourism ambassador, Frasco also invited Dee to join the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), the DOT’s new promotional project that highlights the country’s rich heritage, arts, and culture through a series of regional caravans.
“It’s not new because you have already acted as our tourism ambassador through your representation of the country in Miss Universe. So, we certainly hope that there are more opportunities for us to collaborate, to push forward the aspirations of our President for tourism in the country,” Frasco added.
Dee said that she was humbled and honored by the level of love and support she received.
Dee also revealed that she wants to visit Western Visayas and the Mindanao regions.
“It’s no secret that I’ve always been proud to call the Philippines my home and I really wanted it to shine on the Miss Universe stage because it is an amazing platform to showcase what you are passionate about,” she said.
“I was able to showcase my advocacy, my creativity, and of course, hindi dapat mawala ang love ko for the tourism of the country. When we were chatting earlier, we will be touring around the Philippines. We will spread that goal and that passion to really make the universe know what tourism in the Philippines has to offer,” she added.
Dee finished in Top 10 in this year’s Miss Universe and bagged the Best National Costume award.