DOT Aims at $6.6 B Japanese Wedding Market

The Department of Tourism DOT) has been working to take part in the estimated $6.6 billion Japanese wedding market.

The initial step to tap the Japanese wedding market began last September 18 – 21 when the Department participated in the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA) World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2008 held at the Conference Tower of Tokyo Big Sights in Tokyo, Japan.

Based on several published articles, reports from the Japan Tourism Board, Japanese couples who hold their weddings abroad spend an average of ¥1,474,400.00 or $15,930.00 for the entire package. Couples spend an average of ¥566,000 or $6,115.00 for air fare and accommodations and another ¥215,000 or $2,320.00 for their wedding outfits. These couples spend as much as ¥791,000 or $8,550.00 for the wedding details. Most Japanese couples prefer beach and island destinations, making the country a possible venue for their special day.

DOT Secretary Ace Durano has made Cebu as the wedding capital for Japanese couples. Aside from the Queen City of the South, other destinations in the Philippines which include Boracay, Bohol and Davao are being marketed by the Department as a wedding destination.

In response, Dir. Benito Bengzon Jr, head of DOT Team Japan, said, during his interview with the press, "Compared to other countries, the Philippines offers a complete array of quality wedding products and services at a reasonable cost. Our magnificent views and picturesque beaches also offer the perfect mood and setting for weddings.” He adds, “We are certain the Philippines is indeed an attractive and ideal wedding location for Japanese couples; our beach resorts all have the necessary services such as experienced wedding coordinators which effectively caters to the needs of the clients.”

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Manila Bulletin. RP wants bigger slice of 6.6 billion Japan wedding market (Posted October 14, 2008) Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/10/14/TOUR20081014137904.html

Philippine Daily Inquirer. RP to get bigger slice of $6.6 billion Japan wedding market (Published November 2, 2008)

Business World. Manila targets Japan’s $6.6-B wedding mart (Vol. XXII, No. 54) p. 6/S1
Posted at GMANews.tv at
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/126150/Manila-targets-Japans-66-B-wedding-mart

Tips for a Lucky Wedding in 2009

As 2008 comes to a close, most of us would start consulting Feng Shui experts and clairvoyants about their predictions for 2009. Common questions would be “Will this be a prosperous or difficult year?”, “What are the lucky dates to do business this year?” and others. For couples who are starting to prepare for their wedding, your concern would be “What are the auspicious dates and lucky colors for weddings in 2009?"

LUCKY COLORS

Whether it’s an extravagant celebration or an intimate occasion, you see to it that every detail of your special day is well taken care of. You may want to pay attention to the theme and color motif of your wedding. Based on Feng Shui, colors should produce harmony between the bride (Yin) and the groom (Yang). Furthermore, black, the color of Yin in the Tai-Chi symbol, represents a woman while white, the color of Yang, represents a man. Their respected energies should harmonize with their partner’s energy. To do so, one has to bear his or her opposite color. This is why a man usually wears a black suit and a woman wears a white dress during their wedding.

Yin Yang symbol Image courtesy of George Maxwell, Wikimedia.org

Aside from personal colors, the color of your environment may affect your relationship in the future. Creating a color palette that conveys a positive energy may contribute to marital happiness. Here are some color combinations and their meanings.

Represents Yin and Yang:

• Red and Pink
• Dark Blue and Light Blue
• Purple and Lavender
• Dark Green and Light Green
• Purple and White

Other Combinations:

• Black and white - male and female, harmony
• Red and green – happiness, luck and success (Great for Christmas weddings)
• Yellow (ochre) and red - perfect feng shui pairing for harmony, good social standing, and wealth
• Metallic colors (white, silver, gray, gold) with yellow - creativity/children
• Green and blue - prosperity, growth, good health and wealth
• Blue with metal colors – peace and prosperity
• Black and green - wealth, growth and longevity

SAVE THE DATE

As for dates, the auspicious dates for weddings depend on several factors. One is your Chinese birth signs, represented by the 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig); the other is the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). 2009 is the Year of the Earth Ox. This year may be advantageous or may be challenging depending on yours and your partner’s birth signs. But generally, here are the fair and lucky dates to get married in 2009.

Lucky Dates

January January 3, 2009 January 9, 2009 January 15, 2009 January 21, 2009 January 25, 2009 January 28, 2009 February February 6, 2009 February 15, 2009 February 18, 2009 February 21, 2009 February 27, 2009 March March 2, 2009 March 16, 2009 March 18, 2009 April April 6, 2009 April 9, 2009 April 22, 2009 May May 8, 2009 May 16, 2009 May 20, 2009 June June 14, 2009 June 19, 2009 June 25, 2009 June 26, 2009

July July 8, 2009 July 20, 2009 July 26, 2009 August August 1, 2009 August 2, 2009 August 8, 2009 August 11, 2009 August 14, 2009 September September 9, 2009 September 20, 2009 September 21, 2009 September 30, 2009 October October 2, 2009 October 12, 2009 October 25, 2009 October 28, 2009 November November 15, 2009 November 19, 2009 November 21, 2009 December December 25, 2009 December 26, 2009 December 28, 2009 December 29, 2009

Fair Days

January January 1, 2009 January 5, 2009 January 7, 2009 January 10, 2009 January 13, 2009 January 17, 2009 January 19, 2009 January 24, 2009 January 31, 2009 February February 5, 2009 February 7, 2009 February 9, 2009 February 16, 2009 February 19, 2009 March March 1, 2009 March 4, 2009 March 6, 2009 March 9, 2009 March 10, 2009 March 13, 2009 March 15, 2009 March 22, 2009 March 25, 2009 March 28, 2009 March 29, 2009 April April 7, 2009 April 10, 2009 April 13, 2009 April 15, 2009 April 16, 2009 April 17, 2009 April 19, 2009 April 21, 2009 April 26, 2009 May May 3, 2009 May 7, 2009 May 10, 2009 May 11, 2009 May 15, 2009 May 19, 2009 May 21, 2009 May 22, 2009 May 26, 2009 May 28, 2009 May 29, 2009 May 30, 2009 June June 2, 2009 June 4, 2009 June 5, 2009 June 7, 2009 June 8, 2009 June 10, 2009 June 11, 2009 June 13, 2009 June 16, 2009 June 22, 2009 June 28, 2009

July July 4, 2009 July 5, 2009 July 10, 2009 July 14, 2009 July 17, 2009 July 23, 2009 July 30, 2009 August August 4, 2009 August 9, 2009 August 21, 2009 August 23, 2009 August 26, 2009 August 27, 2009 August 29, 2009 August 30, 2009 September September 4, 2009 September 10, 2009 September 14, 2009 September 24, 2009 September 26, 2009 September 27, 2009 September 29, 2009 October October 6, 2009 October 9, 2009 October 14, 2009 October 15, 2009 October 16, 2009 October 22, 2009 October 23, 2009 October 24, 2009 October 27, 2009 November November 2, 2009 November 5, 2009 November 10, 2009 November 12, 2009 November 18, 2009 November 24, 2009 November 25, 2009 November 30, 2009 December December 1, 2009 December 5, 2009 December 6, 2009 December 7, 2009 December 10, 2009 December 11, 2009 December 13, 2009 December 15, 2009 December 17, 2009 December 18, 2009 December 23, 2009

Whether aiming for a prosperous or successful marriage, what is important is that you should enjoy your special day. You should choose based on your preferences and what will make you happy. But a few adjustments won’t hurt, especially if it gives out good luck. Congratulations to 2009 weddings!

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Weber, Katryn, The Red Lotus Letter Auspicious Wedding Feng Shui: Selecting Wedding Colors for Good Luck. Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://www.redlotusconsulting.com/Wedding.html

Tchi, Rodika, About.com Feng Shui Color Guide - How to Use Colors in Feng Shui Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://fengshui.about.com/od/fengshuicures/qt/fengshuicolor.htm

Wang, Mike, The Spiritual Feng Shui. Significance of Colors in Feng Shui practice Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-color.php

Chinese Fortune Calendar.com Find Event Lucky Days - Wedding Day
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/

Tsai, Allen, Chinese Fortune Calendar. Why Yin Yang Symbol Yin Yang looks like this way? Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/YinYang.htm

DOT Taps Youth Market via MTV

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has forged a partnership with MTV Networks to attract young travelers around the world to come and experience the Philippines.

MTV Networks’ new “hip contemporary” global campaign – MTV Revelations – set to be launched in February 2009, features 12 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, U.K. and U.S.A.

MTV Revelations will use a series of TV spots featuring MTV VJs who will talk about their personal experiences in these countries. In addition, a variety of web activities, which include MTV's Music Mixer and MTV Video Widgets, synergized with local relevance, will reflect the different style, culture and tone of each country.

The partnership was announced by DOT Secretary Ace Durano and Bill Roedy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks International during the World Travel Market held last November 10 -14 at ExCel London.

According to Sec. Durano, as stated in his interview with the press, the partnership is a “strategic fit” because it will enable the Department to reach out to the youth who enjoys a higher disposable income as well as being the most avid travelers of today. "MTV know its demographic best. Its VJs and onscreen personalities, for instance, have the credibility to reach out to the same youth market we are targeting. “Mr. Durano adds.

On the other hand, Mr. Roedy said, “We are delighted that through the international reach of MTV, they can work with the DOT to promote the Philippines to such a targeted youth audience across so many countries."

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

PR Newswire.com Philippines Department of Tourism Partners with MTV Networks for 2009 Global Campaign (Posted November 10, 2008) Retrieved December 1, 2008
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/11-10-2008/0004922183&EDATE
Re-posted (November 12, 2008) by Examiner National at
http://www.examiner.com/p-258752~Philippines_Department_of_Tourism_Partners_with_MTV_Networks_for_2009_Global_Campaign.html

Hein, Kenneth. Brandweek. Philippines Tourism Taps MTV (Posted November 12, 2008) Retrieved December 1, 2008
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/automotive-travel/e3i4e32a4ca5b3c4e13a34805507a0f0f70
Re-posted (November 12, 2008) by AdWeek at
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/account-activity/e3ibfc872c5b952c69b5dfd350149e0f42f