SAN FRANCISCO, USA –Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez led the San Francisco launch of the 2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour, inviting Filipinos and Filipinos at heart to discover for themselves why there is so much to “Love the Philippines.”

Now in its 15th year, the VIP Tour—a curated journey that allows travelers from the U.S. to explore various tourist spots and immerse in the local culture of the Philippines—is a longstanding collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism.

At an event held on 29 January 2024 at the Philippine Center in San Francisco, Ambassador Romualdez underscored that now is the best time to visit the Philippines, especially given the country’s robust bilateral relations with the U.S. and its strong economic fundamentals.

“So many good things are coming out of the Philippines right now. There is a lot of interest in terms of investments, and tourism is at its highest. The VIP Tour is just the beginning of what you see to be one of the best that you’ve seen so far,” Ambassador Romualdez said.

The Philippine Department of Tourism recently reported that more than 903,000 tourists from the U.S. visited the Philippines in 2023, in a busy year for the Philippine tourism industry that raked in more than P482 billion ($8.56 billion) in international visitor receipts alone.

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer recalled that in 2023, close to 300 participants from across the U.S. joined the VIP Tour held in Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay, with a significant contingent from the West Coast.

“The Consulate was very happy to lead the VIP Tour, which has been a signature tourism program of all our Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States,” Consul General Ferrer said.

“I hope that you can join us again for this year’s VIP Tour,” Consul General Ferrer added, encouraging travelers from Northern California and Nevada, the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, and Alaska to take advantage of the discounted rates and special arrangements that the VIP Tour offers.

Filipino American Anthony Schlander, @anthonypresents, recounted his experiences from the 2023 VIP Tour, recalling his gastronomic and eco-adventures in Iloilo and Boracay.

During the 2024 VIP launch, Tourism Attaché Soleil Tropicales presented video clips showcasing the grand launch of the “Love the Philippines” campaign in San Francisco.

These included the “Love the Adventure” motorcycle ride along the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the “Love the Music” holiday reception, the “Love the Food” dinner at Filipino restaurant Abaca, and the “Love the Fashion” show at the San Francisco Ferry Building featuring renowned Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran and a Filipino marketplace.

Tour operator Rajah Tours, represented by its president Jose Clemente III, presented the 2024 VIP Tour packages and itinerary that are scheduled to take place from 21 to 30 July 2024.

This year’s VIP Tour will bring the participants to Metro Manila, Bacolod in the Visayas, and Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon in Mindanao.

Philippine Airlines San Francisco Area Manager Dell Merano also took the stage to introduce the special airfare rates available with the tour.

For more details, including rates and registration, visit the VIP Tour website.