‘Love the Philippines’ tourism video’s agency apologizes for using foreign shots

Tourism officials in the Philippines were left red-faced when video makers revealed that they had used stock images from other countries to promote the archipelago nation as a tourist destination.

DDB Philippines apologized for the “highly inappropriate” images, which included rice terraces in Indonesia and sand dunes in Brazil.

A $1.3 million tourism campaign dubbed “Love The Philippines” was created by the agency.

DDB’s video allegedly contained “non-original shots”, according to the tourism ministry. Its Facebook page later removed the video.

On Facebook, popular Filipino blogger Sass Rogando Sasot pointed out that some images in the campaign video were not from the Philippines.

AFP’s Fact Check team determined that the video showed locations in Brazil, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

“Unfortunate oversight” on the part of DDB was apologised for by the agency on Sunday.

In a statement, DDB said proper screening and approval procedures should have been followed.

DDB said it was “highly inappropriate to use foreign stock footage in a campaign promoting the Philippines.” It produced the video at its own expense.

According to a statement issued by the tourism ministry, it had repeatedly sought confirmation from DDB that the AVPs (audiovisual presentations) and key visuals presented to the department were original and owned by the company.

DOT has repeatedly been assured by DDB of the originality and ownership of all materials on ALL occasions.

There are stock footage providers whose websites provide some of the images used in the promotional video.

Pond5 shows footage of rice terraces on Bali’s tourist island Ubud, which is identified as the location.

Aerial shot of sand dunes from Videvo’s advertisement appears to be of Cumbuco in northeastern Brazil, not the Philippine ad.

The Philippines are a country where hats are not generally worn by fishermen, and the United Arab Emirates are a country where people ride sand buggy over sand dunes. On Sunday, an AFP spokeswoman did not respond to AFP’s inquiries.

It cost 49 million pesos ($1.3 million) for the new branding campaign, Tourism Minister Christina Frasco said last week.

As a result of a global survey, Flask said the ministry found that tourists in the post-pandemic era are looking for “authentic interactions with local communities”. Philippines is more fun with this new slogan.

Due to poor infrastructure and high costs, arrivals to the Philippines lag those of its neighbours, despite having pristine diving spots and white sand beaches.

Read Relative: Despite ‘It’s Showtime’ departure, ABS-CBN and TV5 sign new partnership