MOBILE services operator Globe Telecom Inc. has struck a partnership deal with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to aid the industry achieve its revenue and tourist-arrival targets this year.
With the steady growth of international visitors in the country, as well as the increasing number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning home to spend time with their families and loved ones, Globe collaborated with the TPB to drive its Visit the Philippines Year 2015 campaign by offering its Globe Traveler SIM for free and give tourists and OFWs worry-free connectivity during their stay in the Philippines.
Globe is TPB’s first Philippine telco partner to offer affordable communication services to millions of tourists and OFWs returning to the country.
“We are happy to be the first telco partner of the Tourism Promotions Board in its thrust to make the Philippines the ultimate destination hub for tourists worldwide. Offering free SIMs is our way of helping travelers further enjoy their stay by enabling easy, affordable and hassle-free communications,” Globe Senior Vice President for International Business Rizza Maniego-Eala said on Wednesday.
The Globe Traveler SIM is a local prepaid SIM card that offers local rates for calls, texts and mobile data services, giving tourists and visitors a more convenient and affordable way to reach their contacts from around the world from the Philippines. Getting a local SIM will afford the user a more cost-efficient way to connect than using an international number which charges international calls, text and browsing rates.
It allows users to receive calls and texts from abroad for free and cut costs on mobile data.
Tourists and OFWs can claim the free Globe Traveler SIM by presenting their non-Philippine passport, foreign resident card, Seaman’s book, or OFW e-card at any of the Globe booths located at the airports in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Iloilo and Clark starting today, July 30.
“Staying connected is a priority for the millions of travelers who visit our country. They use mobile data to find information and share memorable experiences while calls and SMS are still important tools to keep in touch. Our Traveler SIM gives them access to all these and gives us the privilege of being their connectivity partner in the Philippines,” Eala said.
Data from the Department of Tourism showed that the Philippines registered a total of 2.23 million international visitors from January to May 2015 alone, an 8.15-percent growth from the previous year. The same report also revealed that the average length of stay of a tourist is 10 nights and has an average daily expenditure of P4,583.29, bringing total earnings generated from tourism activities to P93.907 billion for the first five months of 2015.
The report also showcased South Korea as the country that led the top 10 visitor countries in the Philippines with the United States of America and Japan ranked second and third, respectively. Other countries with notable presence in international arrivals were China (fourth), Australia (fifth), Singapore (sixth), Canada (seventh), Taiwan (eighth), the United Kingdom (ninth) and Malaysia (10th).
“It is a privilege to be partnering with Globe in our endeavors to promote the country as a top tourist destination in Asia. ‘Visit the Philippines Year 2015’ aims to excite and encourage local and international visitors to actively participate in the yearlong calendar of tourism activities that we have in the pipeline. By working with Globe, we are optimistic that more tourists in the Philippines will enjoy seamless connectivity to share wonderful moments to their friends and families anywhere around the world,” TPB COO Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III said.
The government aims to end the year with at least 5.5 million in tourist arrivals this year.