Philippine tourism campaign draws flak for divorcee marketing

MANILA(Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 30, 2011) – A member of the House of Representatives has criticized a Philippine tourism campaign launched recently which aims to lure foreign divorcees in the country.

“The Department of Tourism is treading on dangerous waters. Marketing the Philippines as a destination for divorcees is practically synonymous to marketing the Philippines as a destination for sex tourists,” said Congresswoman Luz Ilagan.

She said Department of Tourism is gearing towards targeting divorcees and those trying to recover from broken relationships as a market in its tourism program.

“How exactly does the tourism department envision its role in promoting our country? You cannot promote the country as a place to comfort and console the broken hearted without bringing in Filipino women in the equation,” Ilagan said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

“We have so many tourism destinations to promote and develop.  Let us focus on our pristine coastlines, our rivers and our mountains. We have so many natural environmental wonders and resources for the Department of Tourism to promote. The Department of Tourism should rethink its strategies. This divorcee marketing highlights their role in the perpetuation of sex tourism in our country,” she added.

The Department of Tourism was criticized in the past for allegedly plagiarizing Poland’s tourism campaign. (Mindanao Examiner)