6-7-2023 (MANILA) The Department of Tourism (DOT) has retained the use of the controversial rebranded tourism campaign “Love the Philippines” despite the backlash over the use of non-original or stock footage from other countries. The DOT used materials and backdrops that bore the rebranded tourism slogan during the Dissemination Forum for the 2022 Philippine Tourism Industry Performance and Tourism Satellite Accounts held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City on Wednesday.
The rebranded slogan replaced the eleven-year-old tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” drawing backlash after its launch last June 27. The DOT and DDB Philippines, the marketing agency behind it, said no funds were released for the creation of the video in question, and the agency apologized and took responsibility for the “unfortunate oversight” in the video.
Despite the controversies, the DOT continued to use the “Love the Philippines” slogan in promoting the country both on social media and in its event. The DOT remained silent on whether the tourism department would still pay DDB in partial as the country continues to use the slogan.
