GOVPH

            Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo visited Toronto from 23 to 27 August 2017 to personally encourage more Filipino-Canadians and Canadians to visit the Philippines. She conveyed this message when addressing the audiences at the Philippine Tapestry Fashion Show and the Mabuhay Philippines Festival which took place at the Arcadian and Nathan Phillips Square, respectively, in downtown Toronto.

            During her visit, Secretary Teo explored new linkages with the chief executive of the Canadian Snowbirds Association (CSA), Mr. Michael MacKenzie. CSA is a non-profit, private organization supporting the rights and welfare of Canadians who travel out of Canada during the winter season, more popularly referred to as "snowbirds." She encouraged Canadian snowbirds to look at the Philippines as their tropical destination during Canada's winter season.

            A separate meeting with the chief executive of the Canadian Executive Service Organizations (CESO), Ms. Wendy Harris, was arranged for Secretary Teo as she sought new partners for the Philippine Government's advocacy to ensure that the benefits of tourism will redound to the welfare of local communities and grassroots organizations. CESO spearheaded the conceptualization and implementation of the famous Loboc River Tour in the province of Bohol to stimulate greater tourist arrivals.

            A live interview at pinoyradio.com provided another opportunity for Secretary Teo and Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia to promote travel to the Philippines and participation by listeners to the Winter Escapade program of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada, which brings Filipino-Canadians and their guests to famous travel destinations in the Philippines.

            Ambassador Garcia arranged the meetings and accompanied Secretary Teo during her visit in Toronto. Philippine Consul General to Toronto, Rosalita Prospero, provided the support of her team to this visit.

Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and Ambassador Petronila Garcia, joined by their respective staff, discussed collaborative activities to promote more travels to the Philippines by Canadians.

Secretary Tulfo-Teo and Ambassador Garcia join the hosts of pinoyradio.com after participating in a radio interview.

Secretary Tulfo-Teo and Ambassador Garcia join federal parliamentarian Marco Mendicino and Toronto Mayor John Tory at the Mabuhay Philippines Festival in Toronto.

Secretary Tulfo-Teo and Ambassador Garcia with Ms. Wendy Harris, CEO of the Canadian Executive Service Organizations, and International Affairs Director Gale Lee

Secretary Tulfo-Teo and Ambassador Garcia received Executive Director Michael MacKenzie and Director Evan Rachkovsky of the Canadian Snowbirds Association.

Ambassador Garcia with Filipino fashion ambassador Renee Salud after the successful Toronto-leg of the Philippine Tapestry Fashion Show.