Philippine tourism officials are investigating an advertising agency after the creators of a video promoting the nation as a holiday destination said it had used stock shots from other countries.
Advertising agency DDB Philippines apologised for the "highly inappropriate" images, which included rice terraces in Indonesia and sand dunes in Brazil.
The agency was behind the video for the government's Love The Philippines tourism campaign, launched on June 27.
The tourism ministry announced on Saturday that it was investigating allegations that DDB's video included "non-original shots". The video was later removed from its Facebook page.
Popular Philippine blogger Sass Rogando Sasot posted on Facebook that several images in the campaign video were from other countries.
Analysis confirmed that the video showed places in Brazil, Indonesia, Switzerland and the UAE.
DDB apologised on Sunday for using "foreign stock footage", describing it as an "unfortunate oversight on our agency's part".
"Proper screening and approval processes should have been strictly followed," DDB said.
"The use of foreign stock footage in a campaign promoting the Philippines is highly inappropriate, and contradictory to the Department of Tourism's objectives."
The video was produced at its own expense, DDB said.
The tourism ministry said it had "repeatedly sought confirmation from DDB on the originality and ownership of all materials contained in the AVPs (audio-visual presentations) and key visuals presented to the Department".
"In all these occasions, DDB repeatedly assured the DOT that the originality and ownership of all materials are in order," the ministry said.
Some of the images used in the promotional video can be found on the websites of stock footage providers.
For example, footage of rice terraces is on Pond5, which identified the location as Ubud on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali.
Videvo has the same aerial shot of sand dunes as the one used in the Philippine advertisement but says the location was Cumbuco in north-eastern Brazil.
Other footage shows a fisherman casting a net while wearing a hat not typically worn in the Philippines and a person driving a buggy over sand dunes in the UAE.
A spokeswoman for the tourism ministry did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday.
Tourism minister Christina Frasco told local media the new branding campaign cost 49 million pesos (nearly $900,000).
Frasco said the ministry conducted a global survey which found that, in the post-pandemic era, tourists wanted "authentic interactions with communities".
The new slogan replaced "It's More Fun in the Philippines".
Tourism is a key industry in the Philippines, which boasts pristine dive spots and white sand beaches, but arrivals lag those of its neighbours due to poor infrastructure and high costs.
There were 2.7 million inbound tourists to the Philippines last year, down 68 per cent from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to the UN's World Tourism Organisation data.
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Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
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Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
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Started: 2021
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Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
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Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
About Karol Nawrocki
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
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