Switzerland backs 'It's more fun in PH' slogan

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Tourism’s slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines" went viral early this year but not without controversy.

The slogan, created with advertising agency BBDO Guerrero, was initially criticized months ago for allegedly being a copycat of a 1951 Swiss tourism slogan.

Swiss ambassador to Manila Ivo Sieber, however, expressed his support for the Philippines’s new tourism campaign.

This year, Switzerland is celebrating a historic milestone with the Philippines as 2012 marks the 150th year of friendship and ties with Filipinos.

Many activities have been lined up to commemorate the 150 years of Philippine-Switzerland relations.

Sieber said Switzerland opened its first consulate in Asia in the Philippines in 1862.

Since then, Swiss presence in the country was never interrupted even during the Philippine-American war and World War 2.

The Philippines now hosts a huge Swiss community and Switzerland is home to at least 10,000 Filipinos.

“Today, we have the second largest Swiss community in all of Asia living here in the Philippines, a sign of very good people to people relations. On top of that, we have long standing business relations with some of the biggest Philippine companies,” said Sieber.
   
The ambassador said Swiss companies have been helping boost the Philippine economy with the likes of Nestle, Holcim and SGS.

He added that many Swiss firms have also put up business process outsourcing (BPO) centers here.

Sieber asserts that the Philippines is a good investment haven.
   
“In terms of business and economic prospects of the Philippines right now, not just Switzerland is looking at the country because the prospects are good, the current government of Pres. Aquino is advancing some very constructive reforms, so I think it is the place to be,” he said.

The ambassador also reveals they are considering a free trade agreement between the two countries.