CONSUL GENERAL FERRER RECEIVES DOT-LA REPRESENTATIVE GERRY PANGA AND OUTGOING DOT-SF REPRESENTATIVE SOLEIL TROPICALES, DISCUSSES TOURISM INITIATIVES
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (center) is joined by Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles Representative Gerry Panga (left) and outgoing PDOT-San Francisco Representative Soleil Tropicales (right) during a courtesy visit and meeting at the Philippine Center in San Francisco. (San Francisco PCG photo)
San Francisco, California – Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles (PDOT-LA) Representative Gerry Panga paid a courtesy call on Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer at the Philippine Center’s Romulo Hall on 23 September 2025. He was joined by outgoing PDOT-San Francisco Representative Soleil Tropicales, who is set to conclude her tour of duty at the end of September.
Key discussions focused on strengthening tourism promotion from the U.S. West Coast—a top source of visitors to the Philippines with the aim of attracting 1.2 million travelers through partnerships with airlines, digital platforms, and media.
With 73% of American travelers relying on the internet, Philippine Department of Tourism Offices in the U.S. are enhancing digital presence on travel and tourism platforms. Media campaigns are also being planned with leading U.S. travel publications.
The meeting also covered niche markets like diving, golf, cruise, and pilgrimage tourism, as well as recent tourism developments in the Philippines such as the new NAIA Terminal 4 (opening in 2026), Banyan Tree Residences Manila Bay, the SMXCITE convention center, and Hilton’s Canopy hotel in Makati.
Mr. Panga will temporarily oversee PDOT-San Francisco operations from Los Angeles until a dedicated Tourism Representative in San Francisco is appointed.
The Consulate extends its sincere appreciation to PDOT-SF Representative Soleil Tropicales for her dedicated service and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors. END
Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles Representative Gerry Panga shares future tourism plans in the West Coast with officials of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco led by Consul General Ferrer. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (center) is joined by Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles Representative Gerry Panga and outgoing PDOT-San Francisco Representative Soleil Tropicales and other officers of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco following the courtesy visit and meeting at the Philippine Center in San Francisco. (San Francisco PCG photo)