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CEBU CITY—French
Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Chesnel said the
country needs to uplift its image in Western Europe in
order to bring in the big spending tourists from the
region.
Chesnel
admitted it was not easy to promote the Philippines as a
business and tourism destination for French citizens
because of the country’s old reputation and because the
country is just too far to be connected to France.
“It’s
never easy especially in France. Maybe in Spain because
of the [Philippines] historical link. But the French
people rarely hear about the Philippines,” he told local
reporters.
“The
Philippines needs to improve its image globally.” The
situation, however, is set to improve. The popular
French show Koh Lanta has committed to come back to the
Philippines for another season after trying out El Nido
in Palawan for its last season.
“They
like it very much [and] they are looking at coming.
Maybe in El Nido, maybe in Cebu,” Chesner said.
Koh
Lanta, the Survivor-like show, hit some 9 million
viewers during the 11-week airing of its El Nido series.
Chesnel
was in
Cebu City on Thursday
to inaugurate a French center called “Les Amis dela
France” aimed at promoting French culture among the
Cebuanos. The center at QC Pavilion was built through
the efforts of the local French community.
There
are about 500 French nationals in Metro Cebu.
The
ambassador, however, said business interest in the
Philippines is increasing with efforts from the
government and private sector aimed at encouraging
exchange between the two countries.
The
French-Philippine Business Council, which brings French
and Filipino businessmen to each other’s country’s
alternately every year, has produced good results,
Chesnel said.
He said
investments and interests in the Philippines have grown
significantly especially in the power sector where
several French companies have linked up with partners to
join competitive bidding for government-owned power
plants.
“This
creates a good general atmosphere and it shows an
international competitive bidding can be held in the
country. This increases the general business mood toward
the country,” Chesner said. |
