The upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will showcase the Philippines’ robust recovery in terms of economy and tourism. That’s according to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during a recent gathering with embassies and consulates in the Philippines organized by PLDT Enterprise.
“We view the FIBA World Cup as an opportunity for the country to reintroduce itself to the world, not only in the aspect of fun and adventure, but more importantly, the strength and diversity of our culture. We recognize how powerful a tool sports and world events such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 can help in expressing confidence towards our country, and more importantly, an openness towards travel and tourism,” said Frasco.
Representatives of over 25 countries who are participating in the tournament attended the event, as well as PLDT Chairman and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan; PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. President and CEO and head of the FIBA local organizing committee Alfredo S. Panlilio; FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (FBWC23) Executive Director David Crocker; Foreign Affairs Senior Special Assistant Alex Lamadrid; and PLDT, Smart, SBP and Philippine sports organizations executives.
Last March, Malacanang issued Executive Order no. 5, ordering the formation of the interagency task force directing a whole of government approach towards supporting the FIBA World Cup.
“We are glad that our President is very eager to support sports tourism in the country and the efforts of MVP, PLDT, Smart, and the SBP to ensure that the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines is a rousing success,” Frasco said.
To entice participants and speculators to explore more of the Philippines when they visit during the events happening from August 25 to September 10, 2023, the Department of Tourism has consolidated a tourism consortium consisting of the Philippine Tour Operators’ Association, the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines to come up with tour packages for international guests “to ensure authentic, immersive, and genuine experience in the Philippines.”
Guests can visit discoverphilippines.travel for tour packages from more than ten of the biggest travel agencies and over 75 hotels and resorts across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“Aside from boosting tourism and international relations, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is also an opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its viability as an investment destination for global businesses. This is aligned with our commitment to support the government in its endeavors to ensure that the country remains an attractive and reliable investment destination. This global event also provides livelihood opportunities for micro, small, medium, and large enterprises in the country, thus helping the growth of our economy,” said Panlilio.
Mr. Crocker also made a presentation on what the FBWC23 was all about and how it is expected to be the biggest global sporting event for 2023. “I encourage all of you to rally your respective countrymen to take advantage of this rare opportunity not only to witness this spectacle in the sport of Basketball but to also enjoy the various world class tourist destinations of the country,” he said.
As a staunch supporter of sports, PLDT and Smart have been active in sports development -- from grassroots to the national level. The telcos are part of various groups working tirelessly to help nurture athletes, build training grounds, and bring international sporting events closer to Filipinos whether live or online. The MVP Sports Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to this endeavor, has also been supporting 17 national sports agencies to support athletes who represent the Philippines in global tournaments.
To support this endeavor, basketball fans can purchase their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 tickets for the Philippine Arena and the Smart-Araneta Coliseum games via ticketnet.com.ph, while tickets for the SM Mall of Asia Arena contests are available via smtickets.com.
