Basketball fans flock to Philippine Arena to witness the opening ceremony of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. (Photo Courtesy: DOT) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) recognized the Philippines’ hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup as an opportune time for the promotion of the country’s sports tourism industry building upon the Filipinos’ evident love for basketball. 

During the kick-off ceremony of the FIBA World Cup 2023 collective last Friday, August 25, the Philippines set a new record crowd in the history of the sports event with 38,115 basketball enthusiasts filling the Philippine Arena. 

"The Department of Tourism joins the entire nation in extending a warm Filipino welcome to all participants and spectators of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in the Philippines," said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. 

"With our shared love and passion for basketball, we celebrate this historic hosting as an opportunity to showcase to the world the beauty of the Philippines, and treat our guests to the world-renowned Filipino hospitality," she added. 

To extend its support to the cause of the said occasion, the tourism department provided airport assistance services to the delegates which anchor the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) while aiding in the training of FIBA volunteers and the development of certain tour packages for visitors in between the tournament stages. 

Aside from the Philippines, the 92 games set for this year’s FIBA will be co-hosted by Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10. 

The remaining stages in the Philippines will be held in Smart Araneta Coliseum (Quezon City) and Mall of Asia Arena (Pasay City) which are expected to gather 600,000 spectators. 

"From our sites, our sounds, our flavors, our festivals, our stories, and our smiles, we join a proud nation grateful and blessed to show the world the many reasons to Love the Philippines," the DOT Chief remarked. (DOT/PIA-NCR)