By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
The visit of entrepreneur and award-winning television host Martha Stewart at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City was a “big boost” for the tourism industry in the city, Mayor Francis Zamora said.
Businesswoman and TV personalty Martha Stewart, accompanied by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora arrives at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City Thursday, August 22, 2019. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas / MANILA BULLETIN)
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Zamora showed the lifestyle expert and bestselling author around the shopping center, particularly at its pearl and jewelry section.
“Malaking boost ito sa tourism ng San Juan sapagkat kung ang isang international celebrity or icon ay gusto mismong personal na pumunta at mamili dito sa shopping center, ibig sabihin kinikilala ang Greenhills Shopping Center at ang San Juan hindi lamang dito sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang parte ng mundo bilang isang tourist destination,” Zamora told reporters.
(This is a big boost for the tourism of San Juan because if an international celebrity or icon wanted to personally visit and shop at the shopping center, it meant that the Greenhills Shopping Center and San Juan are well known not only here in the Philippines but also to other parts of the world as a tourist destination).
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Zamora said he was proud that Stewart included San Juan in her itinerary.
“I wanted to personally show her around and present her with the products sold at the shopping center especially the South Sea pearls that we are proud of,” Zamora said.
Stewart arrived in the country on August 19 for a leadership talk at the Sofitel’s Philippine Plaza last Tuesday.
As a token for her visit, Zamora gave Stewart dining wares made of Capiz shells.
“I hope that her shopping journey in Greenhills completes her ‘bucket list’ and will be one of her unforgettable experiences in the country,” Zamora said.
“I am likewise thankful to DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat for helping us promote the city as one of the spots for tourism and culture in Philippines,” he added.