With the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency three years after the outbreak of the virus, there has been a marked and rapid increase in the number of people wanting to make up for time and experiences lost to the pandemic. With the easing of travel restrictions and opening of borders, "revenge travel" has become the online buzzword. 

The Philippines, one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia, boasts of a rich biodiversity, numerous heritage towns, rainforests, and pristine tropical beaches, among others. Its position in the Pacific Ocean makes it home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The islands of Boracay and Palawan have been recently awarded and recognized as the top islands in Asia. Boracay, in particular, was voted in 2022 among the World's Best Islands in Conde Nast Traveler's (CNT) Readers' Choice Awards.

The sheer number of Filipinos abroad, including in Bangladesh, are known for our friendliness, hospitality, and pride of culture and country. Leveraging on the presence of Filipinos overseas and the friendships and connections made with foreign nationals where they are based, the Philippine Government has launched the Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) Program, an incentive travel campaign that capitalizes on the sheer number of and famed hospitality and friendliness of Filipinos abroad.

Foreign nationals with Filipino friends and/or who have ties to the Philippines and are travelling to the country within the period 01 January 2023 – 30 April 2024 can participate in the campaign abroad. Filipinos overseas ("sponsors") can register at https://bbmg.philippines.travel/ to get a unique link, which they can share with their non-Filipino friends traveling to the Philippines and who wish to participate in the program.

Both the Filipino as the sponsor and the foreign national as the "invitee"/visitor have the opportunity to be part of the raffle and win exciting prizes. In addition, participating foreign nationals may avail of a "BBMG Travel Passport" to earn stamps when they visit identified tourist attractions and activities in the following destinations: Ilocos, Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Baguio, Batanes, Bicol, Camiguin, Leyte, Siargao, and the two award-winning Philippine islands, Boracay and Palawan. Participating tourists can also avail of the BBMG Privilege Card to earn special rates and discounts from accredited tourism enterprises.

Bangladeshis looking for new places to visit during the upcoming holidays should seriously consider visiting the Philippines and have the opportunity to get special discounts and win special prizes through the program. They are encouraged to take the first step to an exciting adventure – tap or re-connect with their Filipino friends, visit and boast of having visited one (or why not both?) of the top islands of the world, and participate in the program.

No Filipino friend/contact yet? Approach one. They are known to be friendly and nice and may invite you to their homes when you visit the Philippines!

For the complete mechanics of the campaign, visit: https://bbmg.philippines.travel/about/ 

Maria Tanya B. Gaurano,

Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Embassy of the Philippines in Bangladesh