The New Promotion To Attract Tourist
By HULYO
@julyteen (13252)
Davao, Philippines
November 17, 2010 3:49pm CST
Department of tourism make a new promotion to advertise on different TV station. They said that WOW PHILIPPINES is not appropriate nowadays so they change it to PILIPINAS KAY GANDA. What do you think about the changes it is good or you still like the old one WOW PHILIPPINES? For me the new one is inappropriate because most of foreigner don't understand the language unlike WOW PHILIPPINES! What do you think?
2 people like this
9 responses
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
18 Nov 10
Hi July,
I understand your point here. GANDA has a different meaning here in India (Hindi - Bad). Though the changes in the adverts is welcome but it would be far more outreaching if it was in the International Language so that the tourists could make out some meaning from it.
But then, politicians have a different approach to many things and this is one of those... maybe the one who coined this phrase was a relative or friend of a politician in the Tourism Sector.
Cheers,
theSids.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
21 Nov 10
Hi July,
I asked about this to one of the Professors at the University here who teaches Tourism and Hospitality. He said that there are two different schemes/principles that a country follows wtr the Slogans - 1. Attract Non-National Tourists and 2. Attract the emigrants of the native land. If it is for the Attracting of International Tourists, they should follow English as it has the largest outreach and meanings are understandable to millions more - something like - "Malaysia - Truly Asia". If the country is trying to attract back only those people who have settled away then the Local Lingo is perfect. Something like yours, or India's - "Atithi Devobhava"(that means - Guest Is Like God).
I am not sure but I understand it is based on the Target Segment that your Country's Tourism department is focusing.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
theSids.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
18 Nov 10
The new name slogan seems like the name of the one who run SHOWTIME of ABS-CBN. Who will appreciate it? Should we say only Filipinos because we are watching the show everyday. Although we love this show but it's only up to the show, we should consider the benefits that we are going to share to all our incoming visitors from all over the world.
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
I have heard that over the news yesterday. And yes, the new slogan is not appropriate because the words used are in Filipino which is not understood by foreigners. WOW PHILIPPINES is of course more proper because "WOW" would mean Amazing or wonderful or beautiful. "WOW" is an expression of those terms.
If they have to change the slogan, then perhaps they have to use terms understood by foreigners. Tourism is to attract tourists. Tourists are of course foreigners.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Nov 10
hi julyteen I am in the US but even to me it sounds like wow {Phillippines
would be much more understandable than their Pilipinas Ky Ganda.And htis is from an outsider.I think they should have left it alone like
you suggested.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
18 Nov 10
Thanks for your good feedback my friend. It sounds good and interesting if you here WOW PHILIPPINES than hearing Pilipinas Kay Ganda. Many people don't know the word Pilipinas the Filipino word for Philippines. Only Filipinos know it and maybe some foreigner who happened visited already the Philippines. We are attracting new tourist because regular visitors no need to attract them because they know already what's inside or what is Philippines. Right? New slogan is not appropriate for attracting tourist. Better you state your ideas about this issue. Atleast I heard from one of upcoming visitors in our country soon.
@stanly012992 (241)
• Philippines
17 Nov 10
Hello julyteen,
I agree with you that the new one " Pilipinas kay Ganda" is not good for the foreigners because most of them didn't understand it. But hearing in the news that it is not totaly approved they still planning and listening other opinion what is really the best.
Have a nice day
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
18 Nov 10
Better they would change it or carry on the previous slogan that most of the people all over the world can understand. The new words they used is good only for Filipinos that know well about the Philippines. Hope they will hear the voice of every Filipinos and other people around the globe. I still prefer WOW Philippines.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
18 Nov 10
Better if they insert Pacman on the slogan or maybe they will ask some words from PACMAN to promote our country. People maybe don't know about Philippines but when you ask them about Manny Pacquiao they know so better if they include PACMAN on their new slogan.
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
I like it. If you look at the logo, there's a translation at the bottom. as well as a pronunciation key.
There's a similar post about this this morning. And like I said there, It's great that we're using our own language to promote our country.
Have you ever wondered why the Hawaiian word "aloha" is famous world wide? It's because the natives kept on using the word on foreigners and tourists that visit their island. They could've easily used hi or hello to make themselves better understood. So it's a great starting point for us :)
Also, I'm sure some of you have experienced being a tourist someplace where there's a different language than Tagalog, english or your dialect. Wouldn't you want to learn how they speak, how they translate a this word and that word. That same feeling is also felt by foreigners in our country. They want to learn something from our culture, and "kay ganda" is something that they can learn easily.A perfect example of which is "Mabuhay" Other nationalities wouldn't have known its meaning if PAL didn't use it repeteadly during flights. right?
