Jakarta, IO – A promotional video for Philippine tourism is widely criticized after it shows places that are actually not in Philippines, such as rice terraces in Bali.
The Philippines reportedly has spent US$900,000 for a tourism promotion titled ‘Love The Philippines’ which was released on June 27. However, it sparked controversy after an eagle-eyed travel blogger found out that it used a stock footages of rice terraces in Ubud, sand dunes in Brazil, airport in Switzerland and the desert in United Arab Emirates, per Channel News Asia, Monday (3/7).
Philippines Department of Tourism promptly announced that it is investigating the video made by advertising agency DDB. Meanwhile, DDB has expressed an apology and removed the video from Facebook.
“The (video) screening and approval process should have been strictly followed. The use of foreign stock shots in videos promoting the Philippines is highly inappropriate, and goes against the objectives of the Department of Tourism,” DDB said.
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The tourism campaign video drew flak from netizens because it contradicted the Department of Tourism’s statement which previously said tourists want “authentic interactions with communities”. (bp)