Travel and Tourism Industry - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 9

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2007, 07:10 AM

Subic as a children’s Destination

By CECIL POLINTAN

Since we started a family eight years ago, it has become a practice between my husband and I to treat our two kids to a vacation outside Manila during the Christmas break so they can relax and enjoy their outing before going back to school.

Last December we brought our kids Zeke, 7 of Ateneo gradeschool and Cameron, 6, of Miriam gradeschool together with my four nephews JM, a young tv and stage actor of UP, Paolo, Joshua and Matthew and my parents to Subic. We have been to the former US Naval Base in the past but we never realized that there are so many things that we can do there and four days in Subic is just not enough.

We started our vacation by checking in at the new Delta building of the fivestarSubic International Hotel. The rooms are very elegant and spacious and the staff were very friendly. We drove around and we were surprised at the number of new hotels and restaurants especially fronting the beach area. On our first day we went fishing and rowboat riding in the lagoon across the Yacht club where we also enjoyed a nice snack in the restaurant fronting the lagoon. On our second day in Subic we brought our kids to the SBMA Museum where the kids enjoyed learning all about the history of Subic. Next stop was the Science Center where our kids enjoyed playing and discovering a lot of things related to science such as visual effects and illusions , how telephone works, how tidal waves develop among other educational things presented in such a way that kids will really enjoy. In the afternoon we went to Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park where we were treated with a Sea Lion, Whale and a Dolphin show. The kids had an opportunity to have their pictures taken with the sea lions and the dolphins. The show was unbelievably entertaining and educational for the kids as well. The trainers stresses the idea on taking care of our marine animals during the show and teaches the audience how we can help protect them. They also have other programs such as Swim with the whales, Dolphin Encounter, Dive with the whales, Animal Trainer Adventure, Recreational and Discover Scuba Dive. Ocean Adventure also has a fantastic aquarium and a mini zoo which they call Wildlife In Need (WIND) Rescue Center. This is a really nice touch for the whole park because the WIND was created to take care of injured animals since Ocean Adventure was known to have a lot of really good in-house veterinarians a lot of people brought injured animals for them to treat and take care of such as a civet cat with an amputated limb, a partially blind lawin, a monkey who lost a tail among other animals who got injured within as well as outside SBMA.

The whole tour around Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park was indeed really educational and very entertaining for the kids and people of all ages and it was really a treat for them to watch the animals really up close.

On our third day in Subic we went to the very popular Zoobic Safari. The entire tour within the area will take about 2 and a half hours. The attractions in Zoobic Safari include an amazing collection of rodents, a petting zoo in a walk-through tropical jungle where you can see an albino carabao, monkeys, civet cat, bear, deer, ostrich and a lot more. They also have a Serpentarium where you can view snakes, lizards, iguanas, turtles and other coldblooded animals. The Savannah is a great attraction of the park where you can see a wide range of ostriches, potbelly pigs, wild boar and guinea fowls. The newest addition in Zoobic is the Croco Loco where you can see and feed hundreds of crocodiles. While inside the Zoobic we were treated also to a performance by the Aetas. Our personal favorite is the Tiger Safari ride. Zoobic has the only Tiger Safari in the Philippines where visitors can have a close encounter with Siberian and Bengal tigers. We rode a jeep where we entered an enclosed area with live tigers roaming and frolicking the area and the most exciting part of the ride is that we were able to feed the tigers while inside the jeep.

We truly enjoyed our trip to Subic and there are so much more we have not seen. We will definitely come back again with our kids. Our trip to Subic was one of the best vacations we have been to. We didn’t have to travel far to enjoy the world-class Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park and Zoobic Safari right here in the Philippines.

(The author, the former Ma. Cecilia de Guzman, is a practicing dentist married to Dr. J. P. Polintan, an eye specialist based in Lipa City).

ThisFire

January 6th, 2007, 11:31 AM

Those photos - I'm in awe.

sandrn

January 19th, 2007, 12:51 PM

Tourist arrivals to RP seen hitting record high in 2006
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=63710

The number of foreign tourists who visited the Philippines will likely hit a new record high in 2006, according to the Department of Tourism.

Total arrivals were expected to reach between 2.8 million and 2.9 million in 2006, beating the 2.6 million arrivals registered in 2005, which was the highest on record.

For the first 11 months of 2006, international visitor arrivals went up by 8.8 percent year-on-year to 2.548 million from 2.341 million in the previous year, according the tourism department.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), however, said arrivals could have been higher if there were more resort and hotel rooms in the country.

The PTAA claimed that the country has been losing up to $400 million in tourism revenues annually because of inadequate hotel rooms, particularly in the provinces.

PTAA president Jose Clemente III said the figure was based on the estimated 500,000 tourists that the Philippines is losing to other countries each year because of the lack of facilities and infrastructures.

Data show that Koreans were the top visitors to the Philippines. In the first 11 months of 2006, visitor arrivals from South Korea hit 511,277, representing a 16.5 percent growth over 438,822 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2005.

This topped the 507,169 arrivals from the United States in the January-November period of 2006, which was 8 percent higher than a year ago.

The Department of Tourism had originally set a full-year target of 3 million international visitors for 2006. Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, however, said they were still waiting for the December figure to set the 2007 target.

The arrival figure has been on an uptrend since 2001, after falling in the late 1990s because of a spate of kidnappings and terrorist attacks that were highlighted in global media reports.

bustero

January 19th, 2007, 12:59 PM

ONe problem with maintining the rice terraces is that the kids of the farmers who till these prefer to work in call centers!

So it looks like di umabot ng 3m tourist last year as per durano's target. Too bad, let's see this year.

OtAkAw

January 19th, 2007, 04:14 PM

^^Why don't they just sort of "trick" the statistics and show that we've had 3M visitors? If they release that to the press, it would be good publicity and foreigners would be encouraged to go to our country. I think that's what the other nations are doing, adding a little bit more to what they truly have so that they would look good.

metrosuburban

January 19th, 2007, 04:37 PM

^^ that's not our style, at hindi naten dapat gayahin ang mga ganyang gawain... pero hindi nga, sinong country dito sa ASEAN ang gumagawa ng padding? kadiri naman...

Anyway, regarding setting the 3M target, kahit pala ganito na kababa ang target kulang paren tayu sa rooms and facilities??? My gulay, anong balak gawen ng govt diyan???

shadow_can2003

January 24th, 2007, 12:17 PM

Guys i don't know if this is the right thread to voice out my concern and disappointment. Last week we had our seminar in Manila, as a sidetrip we go to Intramurous. We were all excited because some of us were first timer including me. Upon entering the place, the mood was ok because indeed its beautiful. But as we go on, i noticed street children starving and begging to us, and here is the start of my disappointment. But what gave's me the biggest disappointment is the squatters in the area. Nakakahiya naman yun, heritage site na may mga squatter :ohno: why such the government let the squaters ruined the area?

dancethingy

January 24th, 2007, 01:03 PM

^^^ Shadow that's an issue we have debated for quite a while now and we share your sentiments, i believe investors and government will is needed to improve intramuros.

shadow_can2003

January 24th, 2007, 01:20 PM

^^^ Shadow that's an issue we have debated for quite a while now and we share your sentiments, i believe investors and government will is needed to improve intramuros.

Sana naman sa lalong madaling panahon na yan. It's ashamed to the government that one of our pride eh napapabayan nila :bash:

nayki

January 24th, 2007, 03:04 PM

kailangan makakukuha ang government ng investors para ipreserve, i-develop, at maintain ang intramuros.. Sobrang laki ng intramuros kung magagawa lang sana nilang tourism area ung buong lugar hindi mga spots lang, kahit ung mga squatters dun na mapapaalis mabibgyan ng trabaho. Wala lang kasing masyadong determination ang government natin, pero plan na talaga yan dba? Ung proposal ni Richard Gordon nung Tourism sec pa sha... D pa huli ang lahat para sa intramuros....

JustHorace

January 24th, 2007, 03:48 PM

^^Primary problem pa rin diyan yung informal settlers! They should've been relocated years ago!

nayki

January 24th, 2007, 04:27 PM

TheAvenger

January 24th, 2007, 08:41 PM

^^^ Shadow that's an issue we have debated for quite a while now and we share your sentiments, i believe investors and government will is needed to improve intramuros.

The Problem with the restoration of Intramuros is the Intramuros Administration itself.

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http://www.pcij.org/imag/Yearend2004/city.html

THE CITY

Metro Manila has a weak identity and its citizens feel little attachment to it. But the soullessness of the city is not fated. The future of the city of our dreams is in our hands and that of enlightened local governments and urban planners.

by Paulo Alcazaren

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p273/emmanuelkristofer/sprawl1.jpg

Metro Manila circa 2005 is a sprawling, congested and anarchic emgacity without a soul. [photos courtesy of Paulo Alcazaren]

AT TIMES, when the breeze is just so, the sun is shining, and peals of children's laughter ring out, Luneta's grand past can still be glimpsed, leaving no one to doubt that for 19th-century Manila, it was the prime leisure amenity. The American planner Daniel Burnham laid out a grand civic district in Manila, like Washington D.C.'s. Burnham's grand plan was never fully implemented. Only a few of the planned civic structures were built. After the war, plans were revised to move the capital to Quezon City. Luneta became a cogon-filled no-man's land eventually turning into the city's Central Park.

In the last two decades, Luneta has lost its original luster. Malls and fast-food joints have replaced it as city folk's weekend destination of choice, despite efforts to include both features on the grounds. The park is now populated with strange statues, like the 40-foot Lapu Lapu where the 1960's globe fountain used to be — kitsch replaced by folly. Extensions to the seaside section — their threats to mar the views of the bay thwarted by the project's suspension for lack of funds — are an eyesore. Most of the park's daily users are Manilans but their own local government does not manage this prime city amenity since it is under the National Parks Development Committee. It does function as a national civic space for Independence Day and presidential inaugurations but, without key national government buildings, the place is without a soul.

This is also true of Metro Manila, whose soullessness is one of the main reasons the metropolis has a weak identity and why its citizens feel little attachment to it. Metro Manila is a national capital without a clearly defined physical center. Unlike Washington D.C., Canberra, or New Delhi, Metro Manila's major civic structures are scattered around the metropolis. The Congress is in Novaliches, the Senate in Pasay, the Supreme Court on Padre Faura, and Malacañan is by the Pasig. The present administration's plans to decentralize its functions, like the move of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to Cebu, further fragments the national government's already inefficient physical infrastructure.

But before there was Metro Manila, there was, of course, Manila, whose urban history predates Burnham and goes back over 400 years to when the Spaniards used urbanization as a tool for control. Intramuros de Manila was the prime example, creating a template for all Philippine towns and cities. Pursued even by the Americans, this hegemony is continued today by the local elite. Thus, Manila's ups and downs reflect the instability of empires that placed it only at the fringe of their attentions, and, later, the vagaries of postcolonial, Third-World development. Manila, in other words, has always been a work in progress, with master plans continually being abandoned as regimes changed. This is why the city has always looked haphazard and why its future has always been in question.

Sure, there's been growth-in area, population, and urban problems. The arrabales around it evolved to new towns and eventually a "greater" Manila that would become today's maddening Metropolitan Manila. Future change seems destined to go from bad to worse. By 2015, can a city already so fractured in its governance, infrastructure and identity, possibly sink lower in the mess its citizens are now mired in? Can traffic, crime, floods, lack of jobs, a dearth of open space, and the loss of heritage get any direr? Can air, water, noise and visual pollution overwhelm Manilans any more than these four elements of urban blight already do?

Sadly, yes and yes. It's the reality of runaway urban population fueling sprawl and speculation-driven, environment-unfriendly, culturally vacuous "real-estate development." For the 11 million currently living in Metro Manila, the more compelling question may be, how far worse can it get?

There are several answers to that. Fortunately, among the possible replies is that it need not get any worse because there are a few things that can still be done to avoid what seems inevitable for a dystopic city.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p273/emmanuelkristofer/oldmanila.jpg

Postwar Manila still had traces of the genteel city Daniel Burnham had envisioned in the early 1900s.

BUT LET'S start from the beginning: Intramuros, the site of the original settlement of Maynilad, has a past long forgotten but for what remains of its walls and churches destroyed in the war. Restoration attempts began in the 1960s, but contemporary interventions have succeeded only in Disneyfying sections as marketing gimmicks to attract tourists. Initially, the Intramuros Administration did a good job. But today, its goals are lost in get-rich-quick schemes that compromise the district's heritage structures and management. There are now more informal settlers residing within than when 1960s Mayor Antonio 'Yeba' Villegas rudely tossed them out. Today Intramuros has lost most of its appeal and relevance to the lives of most Manilans, "wowing" few but the kitsch-inclined.

Unless complementary programs fit within larger plans for Manila's revival, the Walled City will find itself more and more colonized by squatters, fast-food stalls, and a booming student population. Being independent of the Manila City government, the district also suffers from an administrative detachment leading spotty public services. Residents within the walls, formal or otherwise, lack a clear connection to the larger community. The rebuilt walls, in effect, isolate Intramuros from the rest of the city, just as they did in the first three centuries of its existence.

Reconnection is the key to its revival. This should start at the administrative level. Intramuros was Manila and to separate it physically, administratively, and socially creates a cultural vacuum that explains some of the city's emotional emptiness. The changes should follow quickly at the physical level of urban design.

Reunited Germany's Berlin has undergone a modern renaissance, due to an enlightened program of redevelopment taking into account the original fabric of its historic core without limiting creative architectural solutions. The world's greatest architects contributed to Berlin's innovative "infill" projects. These replaced lost housing, office stock, as well as allowed new structures, helping central Berlin connect itself with its greater metropolitan area.

The same can be done with Intramuros. Reconnect it by mass transit or sensible traffic rerouting. Relax the stringent "historical" constraints to architecture (tropical modernist buildings can be respectful of older structures as well as to the conserved street layout as in cities like Singapore and Hong Kong). Make sure a mix of uses balances the mainly warehouse and educational functions that Intramuros now accommodates. Finally, re-populating its interior with formal residents in affordable housing, resulting in an interesting resident mix, will counter the temptation to "gentrify" the district. It is this mix that will ensure the place is alive after hours and supports the activity that will also bring in the tourists.

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Paulo Alcazaren teaches architecture and landscape architecture at the University of the Philippines, writes a popular column for the Philippine Star, edits a design magazine, and is currently working on three books on architecture and urbanism.

PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

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http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1979/pd_1616_1979.htmlPRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1616 April 10, 1979

MALACAÑANG
M a n i l a

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1616

CREATING THE "INTRAMUROS ADMINISTRATION" FOR PURPOSES OF RESTORING AND ADMINISTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTRAMUROS

WHEREAS, major cultural landmarks should be preserved, developed and administered for the perpetuation of Filipino heritage and the enhancement of our national identity;

WHEREAS, for four hundred years, Intramuros has been a priceless heritage of the past for the City of Manila and a major historical landmark of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, to preserve and enhance the historical value of Intramuros, the national historical consciousness program demands its restoration, development and maintenance, and for this purpose, it is imperative that a special organization be created, charged with such a vital role and responsibility;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby Decree:

Section 1. Creation of the Intramuros Administration. There is hereby created an agency to be known as the Intramuros Administration, under the direct control and supervision of the Ministry of Human Settlements. The Administration shall be responsible for the orderly restoration and development of Intramuros as a monument to the Hispanic period of Philippine history. As such, it shall ensure that the general appearance of Intramuros shall conform to Philippine-Spanish architecture of the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century.

Section 2. Organization of the Administration. The Administration shall be directed by a Board of Administrators, consisting of the Minister of Human Settlements, as Chairman, and as Members, the Mayor of the City of Manila, the Executive Director of the National Historical Institute, the Administrator, and such persons as the President may designate. Its Executive Officer shall be an Administrator, who shall have the same qualifications, privileges and rank of a Deputy Minister. The Administration shall be organized and staffed in accordance with applicable budget and compensation laws: Provided, That it shall be authorized to engage the services of architectural, historical, tourism, and other consultants necessary for its work: Provided, Further, that the President may designate Heads of Ministries of the national government to serve on the Board in an ex-officio capacity. Provided, Finally, That the members of the Board shall receive per diems for each Board Meeting actually attended by them, at rates and subject to such maximum monthly amount as may be approved under P.D. No. 985.

The Board of Administrators shall be responsible for the policies and activities of the Administration. The administrator shall report to the Board and shall be delegated such authority as the Board may decide.

There shall be an Architectural Committee and such other Committees as may be created by the Board of Administrators, to advise the Administration on the architectural or other policy.

Section 3. Functions and Powers. The Administration shall have the following functions and powers:

(a) To acquire, lease or hold real property and personal property as it deems necessary or convenient in the successful prosecution of its work, and to lease, mortgage, sell, alienate, or otherwise dispose of such personal and real property;

(b) To initiate, plan, undertake and supervise the restoration, upkeep and maintenance of the Intramuros Walls, including the ravelins, moat, Sunken Garden, and public places or areas, plazas, streets and other government properties situated within Intramuros;

(c) To adopt, issue, promulgate and implement regulations pertaining to zoning, building height, dimensions, architectural style and designs, and other specifications of the building construction to be undertaken therein;

(d) To regulate traffic, street usage, and other related matters within the area;

(e) To determine and regulate the architecture of buildings erected within Intramuros, the utilization of the said buildings, the size and nature of display signs, advertising billboards, neon lights, and other external signs and advertisements in buildings;lawphi1.net

(f) To require private holders to modify the design of existing buildings so as to comply with approved specifications;

(g) To expropriate property within the bounds of Intramuros;

(h) To sponsor and conduct festivals and to charge and collect admission fees to the restored Gates and other attraction operated by the Administration; and

(i) To undertake other activities necessary to enhance and achieve its objectives.

Section 4. Transfer of Administration, Properties, and Appropriations. The buildings and lands owned by the National Government administered by the Bureaus of Building and Real Property Management and by other offices and agencies of the National Government and the City of Manila, including government-owned or controlled corporations which are located in Intramuros, are hereby transferred to the Administration: Provided, That for properties of government corporations and of the City of Manila, arrangements for compensation shall be mutually agreed upon between the Administration and the agencies concerned and recommended to the President for final approval.

The administration of Fort Santiago, the Sunken Garden, the Municipal Golf Links, including concessions within the Sunken Garden and elsewhere on public land and other public properties in Intramuros, are hereby transferred to the Administration: Provided, That the City of Manila may continue operating the Municipal Golf Links.

Section 5. Operation of facilities. The Administration may operate museums, art galleries, theaters, and other cultural/educational facilities that are incidental and suitable to the attainment of its objectives: Provided, That the Administration may operate such facilities, either directly or through existing institutions such as the National Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Library, and other agencies of the Government.

Section 6. Commercial activities. The Administration may directly, or in association with public or private enterprises, construct, lease, sell and otherwise operate shopping and commercial facilities in Intramuros. It may likewise operate guided tours and offer related tourism services.

Section 7. Building modifications. The Administration may require the owners of existing structures to modify the design of existing buildings: Provided, That subject to the approval of the Minister of Human Settlements and to availability of funds, the Administration may utilize its funds to undertake the modification of existing buildings, whether publicly or privately owned, so as to modify their external appearance to comply with approved designs; and Provided, Further, That no changes in the external appearance of existing building and structures in Intramuros, including ruins, shall be made without the approval of the Administration.

Section 8. Road maintenance. The budgetary allocation for the maintenance of national and local roads within Intramuros area shall be released to the Administration, which shall undertake such roads maintenance directly or by management with the Ministry of Public Highways, the City of Manila, or with private parties capable of doing the work, subject to applicable government rules and regulations.

Section 9. Traffic management. The administration shall control the nature, extent, and timing of the access of private and public vehicles into Intramuros. For this purpose, the approval of public transportation routes going through Intramuros shall be subject to the concurrence of the Administration.

Section 10. Construction work. Construction and other civil works may be undertaken directly by the Administration or with the assistance of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, the City of Manila, or by private contractors, subject to applicable government rules and regulations.

Section 11. Real property tax discount. The Administration, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, may extend discounts on real property assessments situated within Intramuros, so as to encourage the private sector to engage in the construction of duly approved facilities: Provided, That such incentives shall apply only to new construction and to improvements of existing building that conform to the Administration's architectural specifications.

Section 12. Investment incentives. The Administration, in consultation with the Minister of Industry or the Minister of Tourism, as the case may be, may extend investment incentives for industries and enterprises established in Intramuros, not exceeding those granted for pioneer enterprises: Provided, That the industries operating in Intramuros shall be limited to those that are consistent with its historical atmosphere and shall not be the source of air, noise, water or other types of pollution.

Section 13. Appropriations. The appropriations pertaining to Intramuros which are in the budget of the National Historical Institute and the National Parks Development Committee are hereby transferred to the Administration. The Minister of Human Settlements may fund additional operating and capital expenditures out of the appropriations provided for the Ministry of Human Settlements in Batas Pambansa Blg. 1.

Section 14. Revolving Fund. The Administration is authorized to established a Revolving Fund into which shall accrue revenues from operating and commercial transactions undertaken by the Administration. Such revenues shall be automatically appropriated to cover expenses incurred in such commercial operations, subject to pertinent budget compensation accounting, and audit law and regulations.

Section 15. Domestic and foreign loans. The Administration is authorized to borrow funds from domestic or foreign sources, subject to applicable laws and regulations and the approval of the Minister of Finance.

Section 16. Grants/contributions. The administration is authorized to accept and receive grants/contributions from private parties to the obligated and disbursed in such manner as the Authority may, in the exercise of sound discretion, deem best to accelerate the restoration or enhance the maintenance of historical facilities in Intramuros and contribute to their development and preservation. The Administration is likewise authorized to give grants and contributions to private parties for the restoration or maintenance of historical facilities in Intramuros. All grants and donations to the Intramuros Administration shall be exempt from donors and other taxes and shall be fully deductible, over and above what is ordinarily allowable under the national internal revenue code, for purposes of computing liabilities of the donor on income tax, estate tax, or gift or donor's tax on other donations: Provided, That the value or donations in kind shall be determined in consultation with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. P.D. No. 1537 and 1277 and other laws, Decrees, Acts, Letters of Instructions, Executive Orders, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 18. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Decree is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions thereof which are not affected thereby, shall continue in full force and effect.

Section 19. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect upon its approval.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-nine.

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
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crappypants

January 24th, 2007, 08:44 PM

there's just too many damn people to relocate. pretty soon gonna run out of places to relocate . How bout stop having babies.

TheAvenger

January 24th, 2007, 08:56 PM

there's just too many damn people to relocate. pretty soon gonna run out of places to relocate . How bout stop having babies.

you are very unchristian .... :)

you are against God commandment .... what God had said and written in the
Jewish " Torah " , the Christian Bible of the old Testament, and the Islam Koran. " GO AND MULTIPLY ''

If people stop making babies and just have sex then more problems with abortions, fetuses thrown in garbage can. Saka walang papalit sa iyo ...:)

How about ask the US and Russia to just drop the atomic bombs to all the cities with more than 5 million residents.... just the same morality as stop having babies and concentrate on enjoying sex. he he he he :lol:

dancethingy

January 25th, 2007, 03:55 AM

^^^^ WOW, OK........ :ohno: :nuts:

Askal82

January 25th, 2007, 04:11 AM

^^ I think I've seen this before.... :lol:

DoggMann

January 25th, 2007, 04:22 AM

you are very unchristian .... :)

you are against God commandment .... what God had said and written in the
Jewish " Torah " , the Christian Bible of the old Testament, and the Islam Koran. " GO AND MULTIPLY ''

If people stop making babies and just have sex then more problems with abortions, fetuses thrown in garbage can. Saka walang papalit sa iyo ...:)

How about ask the US and Russia to just drop the atomic bombs to all the cities with more than 5 million residents.... just the same morality as stop having babies and concentrate on enjoying sex. he he he he :lol:

... sino nagturo sayo ng " GO AND MULTIPLY '' ???
... alam ko utos yan kay adan at eba at tsaka kay noah ah!
... kasama ka ba sa inutusan? heheheh :D

chixbebe

January 25th, 2007, 11:10 AM

A P700-MILLION coastal road project along the Tayabas Bay will link Quezon and Batangas provinces to boost tourism and industrial activities in Southern Luzon.

Bonifacio Seguit, director of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), said the project, which has started construction and is expected to be completed in two years, is part of the department’s 10-year infrastructure program in Southern Tagalog.

“The road network is a priority project of President Macapagal-Arroyo to explore the full investment potentials in Quezon and Batangas provinces,” Seguit said.

The 29.7-kilometer road network, that also includes three concrete bridges, starts in Barangay Salinas in Lucena City and will traverse the coastal villages of Talaan, Kantanyas and Bantilan in Sariaya town; Laiya, Malabigo in San Juan and Lobo town up to Batangas City.

The planned coastal highway is 400 meters from the shoreline so as not to disturb the scenery along Tayabas Bay.

“With the promising success of the multisectoral protection and rehabilitation programs in Tayabas Bay, local and foreign tourists will surely come in droves because of the easy access and its strategic proximity to Metro Manila,” Alcala said.

Two months ago, Alcala, a noted environmentalist, led a multisectoral initiative to protect whale sharks or “butanding” that have been sighted off Tayabas Bay in front of Lucena and Sariaya.

Celestial Flancia, acting DPWH-Lucena district engineer, said road construction had been going on smoothly despite petty problems posed by lot owners regarding right of way.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=45525
By Delfin Mallari Jr.

metrosuburban

January 25th, 2007, 07:20 PM

Hmmm...Sa tingin ko d masyadong problema un, kung ung sa North at South Rail nga nagawan nila ng paraan napakadaming informal settlers nun compara sa intarmuros. Kelangan lang siguro ng political will at makahanap ng investors.. Mas madaming work pwede i-offer intramuros compared sa North and south rail na makikinabang talaga mga dating squater. Magatayo sila ng mga bagong buildings with spanish classical designs para gawing museums, galleries, restaurants, exhibit center, hotels etc.. Basta ung mga new structure magbleblend sa mga original structures. Para bang magiging isang malaking tourist spot talaga sha, parang isang self contained old city. Tapos bukod sa kalesa ibalik din nila ung Tramvia loop sa intramuros. Sarap talaga mangarap ng gising...:lol:

E binigyan na nga sila ng development aid all the way from Espana diba? e ano bang ginawa nila?? Nagtataka naden ako... I just couldn't believe this! Japan, US & Spain have been very generous in giving us Development aids (kahit di naman tayu talaga ganun kahirap, nagpapanggap lang) & yet, alam nila kung saan lang mapupunta lahat ng binigay nila... Kelan kaya sila matututo?

shadow_can2003

January 26th, 2007, 11:31 AM

^^May lumabas nabang official figure ang DOT for the tourist arrival of 2006?

wynngd

January 26th, 2007, 01:27 PM

This is the my third post to promote Coron, Palawan and Taal. :cheers:

Have you seen Coron, Palawan? (my 2006 summer break away)

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/725/7037100_3040es.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/wynngd/100_3266es.jpg

Island Hoping

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/wynngd/100_3211es.jpg

Kalayan Lake (considered the cleanest lake in the country)

Entrance
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/wynngd/100_3127es.jpg

Clear deep water
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/719/7037100_3146es2.jpg

Tall Volcano closer

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Sinjin P.

January 27th, 2007, 04:07 AM

Roll out Thread 5 :colgate:

nayki

January 27th, 2007, 04:30 AM

Time for a new thread, post your articles and pictures of Philippine's lovely places....Wow Philippines! :cheers:

JustHorace

January 27th, 2007, 08:46 PM

Tourist arrivals fail to hit target, but anyhow, there's growth.

2.76 MLN Foreign Tourists Visit The Philippines In 2006, Up 2.1%

MANILA, Jan 26 Asia Pulse - 2.76 million foreigners visited the Philippines in 2006, up 2.1 per cent on the previous year's 2.65 million, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Of this number, the BI reported a 26 per cent increase in the number of foreigners visiting the country who extended their stay last year.

BI Commissioner Alipio Fernandez, Jr. said the BI Visa Extension Office approved a total of 347,718 applications for tourist visa extension from January to December 2006, up 71,076 compared to 276,642 applicants in 2005.

"This indicates that our country succeeded in attracting more foreign visitors who came here not only for pleasure but also for business," he said.

"It is also an encouraging sign of the Philippines' improving reputation as one of Asia's most favoured tourist destinations," he added.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070126/3/127gc.html

crappypants

January 27th, 2007, 08:57 PM

i think it's useless to set targets. Do the homework first . Improve infrastructure, clean up the streets, reduce traffic, build more hotels to lower rates , preserve the natural attraction.

kiretoce

January 28th, 2007, 06:06 AM

Asia's surprise package
Liz Johnston www.news.com.au January 27, 2007

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WHET YOUR APPETITE: Seafood is ubiquitous in Manila.

Chinese, Spanish, American, crowded, lively and unique, the Philippines capital of Manila is southeast Asia's surprise package only a seven-hour flight from Australia.

Morning
The modern-day Philippines has been shaped by two religions, Islam, introduced in the 14th century by the Arabs, and Christianity, in the 16th century by Spain. Today, Islam survives mainly in the country's south. Manila, on the northern island of Luzon, is predominantly Christian.

Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries arrived with American soldiers fighting the Spaniards in 1899, and these spun off into the Anglican-allied independent church Aglipay and the rapidly expanding Church of Christ.

The 16th century colonisation by Spain left the most enduring architectural stamp on Manila, most of it in the walled Itramuros, one of the world's best-preserved medieval cities. It is centred on the Manila Cathedral, but includes San Augustin, the country's oldest stone church, now UNESCO World Heritage-listed.

In San Augustin, look for the graves of the two conquistadors, Martin de Goiti, killed by Chinese pirates and warriors in 1675, and Juan de Salcedo. Together they wrested control of Manila from the ruling Muslim sultans in 1571. Also in Intramuros is Fort Santiago, built by Filipinos in forced labour over a period of 150 years and now a lushly vegetated park.

Lunch

Check out any shopping centre or enjoy the views over Manila Bay from cafes along South Boulevard. It is difficult to define the food of a nation that has 120 ethnic groups living on 7000 islands, which has been influenced by Chinese, Arab and Polynesian traders and visitors over many centuries, and governed by Mexico on behalf of Spain until 1898 and then by Americans until the Japanese occupation from 1942-46.

Seafood is ubiquitous, in Chinese dishes and versions of Spanish paella. Spit-roasted pig could reflect a Polynesian influence but has a Spanish name, lechon. Desserts are reminiscent of Spain, but there is plenty of tropical fruit.

Afternoon

Visit the Philippine Presidential Museum in Malacañang Palace, built by the Spanish in the early 19th century.

The Chinese Cemetery, founded in the mid-1850s, has streets lined with ornate mausoleums. The poor are buried in terraces near the Buddhist Temple. The Philippines claims to be Asia's best value-for-money shopping destination.

Look for Western designer labels, handcrafted baskets and brassware, hand-embroidered pia cloth, wood figurines and custom-made furniture, clothes, wedding gowns, shoes and embroidery.

The Mabuhay Shopping Spree promotion (July-October) is supported by the Department of Tourism, and offers privilege cards through travel agents or at the airport for participating stores.

Day tripping

The summer capital of Baguio is 250km from Manila, but there are daily flights and it is worth a visit for its scenery and glimpses of the Igorot culture that survived the Spanish lust for the gold in its mountains; the American forces' lust for golfing holidays and privileged living with hot and cold running servants; the American decision, now a Philippines tradition, to make it the centre of government during the summer; and a devastating earthquake in 1990.

Visit the Baguio City Market, where locals buy and sell to each other as well as tourists. There is also a tourist market at Mines View Park. Look to buy filigree silver here. Clothes produced at the nearby export district are on sale at a factory outlet at Mile-Hi Centre, Camp John Hay, former R&R playground for US military.

Evening

Sample restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes in the Malate and Ermita districts of Manila.

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 07:53 AM

Pick of the Week

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Name: Vigan Plaza Hotel
Location: Plaza Jose Burgos, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur 2700
Classification: First Class

General Information

Description:
Located in the internationally renowned World Heritage Site of Plaza Jose Burgos in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Vigan Plaza Hotel boasts of classical hispanic architecture & interiors reminiscent of the country's Spanish era.

For the comfort of today's leisure & business travelers, Vigan Plaza Hotel continuously upgrades its facilities & amenities comparable to new hotels in metropolitan areas.

These, capped with genuine warmth & hospitality of simple, service-oriented Ilocanos truly make VIGAN PLAZA HOTEL your home in the north.

Experience the charm of the old world...

... in the convenience of modern day!

Credit Cards:

We accept Visa & Mastercard

Facilities:
• 29 exquisite guestrooms with electronic keycard controlled access, IDD/NDD telephone, split-type airconditiong, cable TV, toilet & bath w/ hot & cold water and classic wood furnishings to adopt modern day living.

• Bigaa Resto, which serves not only the most loved Vigan local dishes but Filipino and Intenational cuisine favorites as well.

• Sitio Bar, a cool place to relax and unwind with acoustic bands

• A Business Center equipped with internet, facsimile, photocopy and computer rental services.

• Laundry, dry-cleaning, and ironing services

• Safety deposit boxes

• Massage services

• Car rental and tour arrangements

• Ample and guarded parking space

• 24-hour security
Check In/Out Time: • Check-in Time: 2:00 pm
• Check-out time: 12:00 nn
Price Range: Php 2,100.00 - Php 7,200.00 net
Room Rates:
• STANDARD
Single - Php 2,100.00
Double - Php 2,400.00
Twin - Php 2,600.00

• SUPERIOR
Double - Php 2,600.00
Twin - Php 2,800.00

• DELUXE
Dlx A - Php 3,300.00
Dlx B - Php 3,300.00
Dlx C - Php 3,600.00

• SUITES
Heritage - Php 3,800.00
Plaza - Php 4,100.00
Ancestral - Php 4,100.00
Governor - Php 7,200.00

• DORMITORIES
Dorm A - Php 7,200.00
Dorm B - Php 6,200.00

• Extra person rate - Php 450.00
(w/ or w/o roll-away bed/ exclusive of breakfast)
• Extra bed rate - Php 450.00

Notes:
--Rates are subject to change w/o prior notice
--Rates are inclusive of breakfast for (2) except for dormitories and extra person/bed
Contact Information:

Telephone: 77722-8552 to 53 / 722-1527/ 632-0317 to 18
Fax: 2246-1501
Email: vphotel@pldtdsl.net

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 07:55 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Araw ng Koronadal (Hinugyaw Festival)
Address:Koronadal, South Cotabato

General Information

Description:
Celebrate every January 3-10 of the year, Hinugyaw Festival, dubbed as the "Festival of Festivals", is a celebration of the different cultures that has dwelled on the fertile valley of Koronadal for many years now. "Hinugayaw", from a Haligaynon term, meaning "merrymaking", is a jovial and colorful festival which tells of the historical stream of how tribes from different parts of the Philippines has rolled up in what Koronadal is now despite their diversity in culture.

Koronadal, still young from its cityhood, beckons all visitors to behold its peaceful atmosphere and its fast accelerating pace of development. Koronadal is truly a melting pot of cultures, land of peace-loving people.

Event Dates:

Date: January 3, 2007 - January 10, 2007

Telephone: 6383228-4141
Fax: 6383228-4141
Email: lgu_kor@hotmail.com
Website: www.koronadal.gov.ph

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 07:58 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Ati-Atihan Festival
Address: Kalibo, Aklan

General Information

Description:
A celebration in honor of the Sto. Nino, marked by frenzied merriment on the streets. Revelers in colorful costumes with bodies painted black and faces made-up grotesquely, dance uninhibitedly to drumbeats.

The “mother” of all street festival – the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival – is still in the top tourist destination. Copied and duplicated but never equaled in terms of sights and sounds, it’s overall aura of celebration and its captivating attraction. Good spirits sweeping the feet of its audience to join the street “dancing and madness”. The guests who came as spectators suddenly become as alive participants or devotee of its patron the Holy Child Sto. Niño. The audience is transformed to dance in tempo of the drumbeats, cymbals and all sorts of noise and sound making instruments with only moral values to limits their euphoria.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

• SPIRITUAL STREET DANCING
1st week up to 3rd Sunday of January
Principal Streets of the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo
The true spirit of Ati-Atihan. An act of piety to ensure miracle for barren women to bear children, heal the body from maladies beyond medical remedy, prosperity in business or simply dance for fun and excitement.

• NINE (9) DAY NOVENA
Jan 13-21, 2007
Kalibo Cathedral
A traditional religious activity in reverence to the Sto. Niño where believers pledge vows in exchange of blessings and supplications and is gaining worldwide recognition and acceptance for its miracle of healing.

• HALA BIRA ATI-ATIHAN NIGHTS
Jan. 15-21, 2007
Magsaysay Park
Experience an unforgettable and endless dancing and partying with the rumbling and energetic music of live bands starting in the early evening till the wee hours of the morning. Join the crowd in the almost never-ending excitement of “snakedancing” and enjoy the appetizing food and drinks served at kiosks in and around the park.

• ATI-ATIHAN PRODUCTS SHOWCASE
Jan 15-21, 2007 (8:30 AM-7:30 PM)
Pastrana Park
Showcases beautiful ornamental plants and quality Aklanon products made from piña, abaca, raffia, nito and clay materials handcrafted by local artisans

• FESTIVAL BAZAAR
Jan. 15-21, 2007 (9 AM – 12 MN)
Veterans Avenue
Shop to your heart’s desire day-to-night. Sells a wide array of products such as house wares, accessories, souvenir items and more.

• KAEAN-AN SA PLAZA (Food Fest)
Jan. 15-21, 2007 (9 AM- 12 MN)
The perfect place to re-energize ourselves. The Food Festival at the town plaza presents fast foods of different culinary specialties from Aklanon, Filipino to international culinary cuisines.

• VISUAL ART EXHIBIT
Jan. 15-21, 2007
Museo it Akean
Awe-inspiring paintings and sculptures created by members of the Aklan Visual Arts Association adding vibrance to the various museum pieces for your eyes to feast on

• “PADAYAW”
Jan. 15-21, 2007
Principal Streets of the Ati-Atihan Town of Kalibo
A parade of students from the different schools in Aklan in their indigenous costumes together with the float of the beautiful Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan

• HIGANTE PARADE & AKLAN FESTIVAL SHOWDOWN
Jan. 17, 2007 ( 2 PM)
Principal Streets of the Ati-Atihan Town of Kalibo A colorful parade of the festival winners and Sto. Niño devotees from the 17 town of Aklan highlighted by the giant images of cultural various diseases.

• PAHILOK OR PAEAPAK
Jan. 17-21, 2007
Kalibo Cathedral
A unique age-old faith healing rite of the miraculous Sto. Niño of Kalibo that attracted devotees worldwide for curing diseases.

• BARTER OF PANAY REENACTMENT
Jan. 17, 2007 (9 PM)
Magsaysay Park
The legendary reenactment of the arrival of ten (10) Datus and the Purchase of Panay from the Aetas by the Malays. Witness the origin of the Mother of All Festivals unfold before your eyes and its evolution into the present day praisefest.

• MUTYA IT KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN CORONATION PAGEANT
Jan. 18, 2007 (7 PM)
Magsaysay Park
Coronation of the festival’s most beautiful and talented maiden with cultural presentations to add color to the event.

• 3 DAYS FINAL HURRAH
Jan 19-21, 2007
Major Streets of Kalibo
Experience 3 days and nights of jubilating revelry with millions of soot-smeared Akeanons, local and foreign tourist dancing in wild abandon to the deafening sound of numerous drums, cymbals and lyres shouting, “Hala Bira Puera Pasma! Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño. Viva!

• ATI-ATIHAN CONTEST
Jan. 20, 2007 (7 AM)
Major Streets of Kalibo
Tribal and modern groups, Balik-Ati and individually costumed participants dance on the streets to the beat of the drums and lyre in their vibrant, and colorful costumes.

• BLESSING OF CHILDREN
Jan. 20, 2007 (10 AM)
Children of different ages gather for the traditional blessing to honor the Holy Child officiated by the Bishop of Kalibo

• DEVOTEES’ DAWN ROSARY & PROCESSION
Jan 20, 2007 (4:30 AM)
Kalibo Cathedral
Pray the dawn rosary with devotees and pilgrims. A moment of deep silence before the festival music rises into a crescendo.

• FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Jan. 20, 2007 (11 PM)
Magsaysay Park
A spectacular display of colorful fireworks in the eve of the Ati-atihan’s big day. See the most dazzling show of thousands of vibrant lights as they pierce the night sky.

• TRANSFER OF STO. NIÑO IMAGE
Jan. 21, 2007 (6 AM)
Kalibo Cathedral to Pastrana Park
The traditional transfer of the venerated miraculous image of Sto. Niño of Kalibo from the Kalibo Cathedral to Pastrana Park for the field mass celebration. Witness the applause of drums and lyre of Ati Tribes in reverence to the Sto. Niño.

• PASALAMAT
Jan. 21, 2007 (7 AM)
Pastrana Park
A concelebrated field mass offering devotees, guest and tourists flock in solidarity with Ati-atihan Tribes as they take part in the highest form of Catholic worship to God.

• TORCH PARADA & PROCESSION
Jan. 21, 2007 (late afternoon to early evening)
Main Streets of Kalibo
Join the Ati-atihan groups parading for hours together with their beautifully adorned Sto. Niño Caros and devotees carrying Sto. Niño image and bamboo torches that create floods of lights beginning at the town plaza and ending at the Kalibo Cathedral

• PAGPADUNGOG
Jan. 21, 2007 (7 PM)
Magsaysay Park
The finale and last hurrah of the three-week festival. After a day of street dancing and gastronomic feast in praise of the Sto. Niño winners of the Ati-atihan Contest give their last energy as they received their awards.

Date: January 9, 2007 - January 15, 2007

Telephone: 6336262-3079 / 262-3241 (Kalibo Tourism Ofc)
Email: deptour6@iloilo.net
Website: www.westernvisayastourism.com.ph

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 08:07 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Bailes De Luces
Address: La Castellana, Negros Occidental

General Information

Description:
Bailes de Luces (Dances of Lights) is a celebration of thanksgiving and hope. A befitting culmination of the Festival of Lights and the Christmas season and a grand celebration of the town’s Charter Day – January 5. Its unique feature is the use of lights or “luces” as props and adornment and its nocturnal festivities and streetdancing.

Light or Luces in Spanish has many connotations. It symbolizes the divine providence, hope and merriment. It likewise symbolizes the forever-burning desire in the hearts of every La Castellanhons to excel in all endeavors and to strive towards the glory of their beloved town – La Castellana. It is a symbol of celebration of triumph for all the undertaking during the year. Hence, Bailes de Luces is a celebration of hope and thanksgiving. Hope of a better New Year and thanksgiving for the year that was.

Date: January 5

Telephone: 6334485-0208 / 485-0209
Fax: 6334485-0279
Email: mayors_lacastellana@eudoramail.com
Website: foo.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/lacastellana-negoc

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 08:11 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Dinagyang Festival
Address: Iloilo City, Iloilo

General Information

Description:
The Dinagyang Festival is celebrated every fourth weekend of January to commemorate the Christianization of the natives and to honor the Holy Child Jesus. It is a very colorful parade coupled with a dramatization in honor of the patron saint Sto. Niño as the object of dramatized offerings and prayers amidst the cracking of drums and shouts of "Viva Señor Santo Niño." The thundering of "Hala Bira" by the tribe members makes the celebration a lively one.

Spectacle characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night.

Date: January 17, 2007 - January 29, 2007

Telephone: 6333335-1884 / 335-1885
Fax: 6333335-8008
Website: www.westernvisaystourism.com.ph

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 08:15 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Feast of the Black Nazarene
Address: Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila

Description:
An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession of devotees carrying the Black Nazarene through the streets of Quiapo.

Date: January 9

Telephone: 632527-5185 / 527-4911
Email: info@cityofmanila.com.ph
Website: www.cityofmanila.com.ph

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 08:17 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Halamanan Festival
Address: Guiguinto, Bulacan

General Information

Description:
The 14 Barangay vigorously prepares their respective floats together with the non-governmental organization & civil society showcasing the diverse landscaping designs of our local gardener. There is a “bagsak presyo” up to 50% discount on almost all ornamental plants. The Sta. Cruz cloverleaf “garden showcase” will be the permanent place to display flowers, plants & landscaping design in order to promote tourism & attract visitors. Also, this festival features an annual procession, parade of flowers and costumes.

Date: January 22, 2007 - January 23, 2007

Telephone: 6344794-0202
Fax: 6344794-1664
Website: www.bulacan.gov.ph

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 08:20 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Sinulog Festival
Address: Cebu City, Cebu

General Information

Description:
Get into the beat of Cebu's biggest fiesta! There's street dancing, face painting, bar parties, pop concerts, a Mardi Gras Parade and more. It's carnival time - every day of Sinulog week is full of fun and excitement.

Cebu's biggest and most popular event, "Sinulog" is a centuries-old tradition held in honor of the Holy Image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu. Thousand of pilgrims flock to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño for the sinulog, a prayer-dance performed with lighted candles and chants of "Pit Senyor!". Characterized by its peculiar two-steps-forward-and-one-step-backward shuffle, simulating the rhythm of sea waves (known as "Sulog") which brought the Holy Child to its shores. More than just the meaning of the word is the significance of the dance. Historians now say that Sinulog,which is of pagan origin is the link between the country's pagan past and its Christian present.

Related events include a solemn mass, parade, Sinulog sa Kabataan, Search for Miss Cebu Tourism, Kalingawan Kasadya sa Kilumkilum, re-enactment of the baptism of Queen Juana and King Humabon, Balik-Cebu Homecoming party, concerts and the nightly sinulog presentations of the different schools and universities.

Date: January 11, 2007 - January 21, 2007

Telephone: 6332253-3700
Fax: 6332254-5010
Email: meljn@cebucity.gov.ph
Website: www.cebucity.gov.ph

Sinjin P.

January 29th, 2007, 08:21 AM

Celebrate! January Festivals

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Name: Sto. Niño Festival
Address: Malolos City, Bulacan

Description:
The Sto. Niño Festival is the biggest expression of devotion to the Holy Child Jesus in the Luzon island, celebrated every last Sunday of January. The week-long festivities begin with an exhibit of “niños” and culminate in a grand procession of hundreds of folk, antique and new statues of the Holy Child in different manifestations, e.g., as shepherd boy, as keeper of the world, as a sleeping child, etc.

Date: January 30

Telephone: 6344662-3594 / 791-6608
Fax: 6344791-5943
Website: www.bulacan.gov.ph

kiretoce

January 30th, 2007, 07:19 AM

Tourist arrivals hit 2.84m
By Roderick T. dela Cruz

International visitor arrivals to the Philippines hit a record high of 2.843 million in 2006 but fell short of the 3-million target set by the Department of Tourism, the government said yesterday.

“2006 was a good year for Philippine tourism,” said Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano in a statement, adding that prospects for 2007 were better, with the expected completion of new resorts and accommodation facilities that would bring the total number of hotel rooms to about 18,000 by year-end.

The tourism chief did not say why foreign tourist arrivals fell short but powerful typhoons in the last quarter of 2006 and the lack of accommodation have led to cancellation of bookings.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association earlier complained that the country has been losing 500,000 foreign tourists and $400 million in revenues annually because of inadequate hotel rooms, especially in the provinces.

Durano, however, said the present situation presented a fertile environment for growth in the accommodation sector.

“Prior to 2004, the erratic industry performance slowed investments. As it recovered, and with the consistent growth in tourist volume and the pressure placed on capacities, the business sector is moving swiftly to take advantage of the upward swing,” he said.

Data from the DoT’s tourism research and statistics division show that the number of foreign tourists who visited the country last year represented an 8.4 percent growth over the previous record of 2.623 million in 2005.

Durano said the robust arrival figures have been favorable to support fresh investments in accommodation facilities.

“The accommodation sector is now expanding. We are reaping the fruits of our collaborative marketing efforts with the increase in visitor demand, urging the hotels and resorts to fast-track expansion programs while fresh investments continue to pour in to build new ones,” the tourism chief said.

chixbebe

February 1st, 2007, 12:15 PM

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702010707.htm

The tourism industry continued to provide millions of jobs for Filipinos over the last three years with the rapid expansion of the industry and increase in tourist traffic, the Department of Tourism said yesterday.

The DOT said that based on the quarterly surveys conducted by the National Statistics Office, persons employed in hotels and restaurants increased on a quarterly basis from 2004 to 2006.

About 3.7 million Filipinos were employed last year, 300,000 higher than the 3.4 million recorded in 2005 and 3.2 million in 2004.

"Substantial growth in employment was recorded in the first, second and fourth quarters in most hotels and restaurants as demand increased during this period,"the DOT said.

The DOT said more Filipinos gained employment in 2004 and 2005 as the industry rapidly expanded with the increase in tourist arrivals.

On a regional basis, employment in hotels and restaurants was high in the National Capital Region, central Visayas, central Luzon, northern Mindanao and CALABARZON (Calamba, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon).

The DOT said tour guiding, travel management and operation as well as transport services have also created jobs and employment for many Filipinos in rural and urban areas.

"With additional rooms being built in major destinations, it is anticipated that more employment opportunities will be opened to Filipinos," it said.

The DOT said with the huge occupancy being enjoyed by the hotel sector, expansion, rehabilitation and refurbishment of accommodation facilities in major tourist destinations were being prioritized by the country’s hotel industry.

As of October last year, 1,346 rooms were being built in Boracay Island, while Cebu and Mactan will have an additional 1, 264 rooms to accommodate the increasing demand.

The DOT said current hotel developments include the 616-room Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, a Korean-Filipino project which started construction last July 2006 in Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

Additional rooms were also built in Shangri-La resort Spa and Discovery Suites both in Boracay Island.

The agency also reported that occupancy rate of Metro Manila hotels grew by six percent per year from 2004 to 2006.

De luxe and first class hotels have the lion’s share, achieving more than 70 percent occupancy. Standard hotels, on the other hand, grew by five percent per annum from 2004 to 2006.

The DOT said with the continuing growth in visitor traffic, international airlines flying to the Philippines are experiencing high load factor of more than 70 percent.

However, travelers experience difficulty in booking with Korean Air and Asian Airlines as their load factor hit 88 and 90 percent, respectively, the DOT said.

As of October 2006, there were 556 weekly international flights to the country with 142, 354 seats available, an increase from 124, 533 in 2004 and 138, 342 in 2005.

In 2005, Philippine Airlines resumed flights to Beijing complementing the highly profitable daily flights in Shanghai.

The DOT said PAL acquired new and modern aircraft, while expanding operations in the Asia Pacific region.

In July last year, the DOT said China Southern Airlines also resumed direct flights from Guanzhou to Manila in addition to its Xiamen and Beijing routes.

Airline officials are now considering expansion of flight operations including direct flights from Shanghai to cater to the growing outbound travel in the region.

The DOT said negotiations with Shanghai Airlines and Vladivostok Airlines started last year for the establishment of regular flights to the Philippines.

The Tiger Asia and Jet Star operations in the Philippines have expanded since 2004, the DOT said, adding these low cost carriers have facilitated travel of tourists from Singapore and Malaysia.

rage@cebu

February 1st, 2007, 01:44 PM

OtAkAw

February 1st, 2007, 02:29 PM

^^WHy can't they enforce a building scheme like that for ALL buildings in Intramuros!? For sure that hotel is a new structure.

wynngd

February 1st, 2007, 04:51 PM

^^ There is building requirements imposed inside Intramuros. You can see it in the new building of PLM. The DOT restricts the building height and architectural style of the buildings. I'm not sure when they exactly implement this rule because there are some building like the old Insular building besides Mapua and the old abandoned building above 7/eleven besides Manila High School which is out of the requirements they implemented.

I love the old Manila!:banana:

swatch69sg

February 2nd, 2007, 10:37 AM

More tourists from Republic heading to the Philippines despite travel alerts

by Clement Mesenas
Editor-At-Large
clement@mediacorp.com.sg
Today Newspaper, Feb 1, 2007

More Singaporeans are visiting the Philippines despite the tendency of Singaporeans in general to take travel advisories against going to the Philippines a little too seriously, said Philippine Under-Secretary for Tourism, Mr Oscar Palabyab, yesterday.

Such advisories are put out by officials, in the wake of bomb blasts or militant threats. But Singaporeans — close to 80,000 of them last year — decided to shrug off such warnings and headed for the Philippines. All returned home safely.

"There is this unfortunate perception that robbery, bombs and all sorts of mayhem happen in the Philippines, but this is just sensationalist media foisting negative stories on an unsus-pecting public," Mr Palabyab told Today in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the on-going Asean Tourism Forum 2007.

Low cost carriers and a scheme — Bring a Friend home to the Philippines — to encourage Filipinos working abroad to bring their friends along during their vacation helped boost tourist arrivals from Singapore. Close to 100,000 Filipinos work in Singapore.

"My family was invited by our domestic helper to visit Baguio, her home-town in the northern Philippines, and we are really glad we went with her. We spent a delightful week which we will always cherish," said Mr Andrew Teo, an accountant. Baguio, a serene resort perched in the mountains of northern Luzon, is famed for its cool weather, pine trees, walking trails, horse rides and golfing.

The number of Singaporeans heading for the Philippines is growing — 60,000 in 2004, rising to 70,000 in 2005, and 80,000 last year. As part of the campaign to lure more tourists from Singapore, livery highlighting Philippine tourist attractions have been put up on 50 Singapore taxis.

The Americans have for a long time been the biggest group of tourists to the Philippines. But South Koreans — close to 580,000 of them — overtook the Americans last year.

"The Koreans apparently have no qualms heading for places where others fear to tread, like Mindanao, where militant activity is highest. Some have even set up businesses — English schools and other business ventures — to cater to the South Koreans who chose to stay on longer in the Philippines," said Mr Palabyab.

A total of 2.84 million tourists visited the Philippines last year, an increase of 8.4 per cent over the preceding year's total of 2.62 million.

This growth was most encouraging, said Mr Palabyab, especially seen against a backdrop of the natural calamities that hit the Philippines last year and the various travel advisories issued by the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain discouraging travel to the country.

The Philippine target is to hit five million tourists by 2010, an objective within reach, said Mr Palabyab, with growth in the tourism industry for the region projected at 7 per cent per annum.

Tapping the China market would provide a boost as a first-year effort resulted in over 100,000 Chinese visitors to the Philippines in 2005, representing a 171 per cent growth rate.

One of the bottlenecks stifling the growth of Philippine tourism is the lack of top-end hotel accommodation. Key tourist destinations like Boracay have rectified the problem to some extent.

There will be intensified efforts to attract foreign investment to develop tourism as the government has identified the sector as one of the key pillars to propel the country's economic progress, said Mr Palabyab.

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On my way to work today, I got the chance to see one of the fifty taxies plying aroung Singapore with livery campaigning for the WOW Philippines Ad (sorry for the quality pic as it was only taken from camfone)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e9/reymund_navarro/WOW%20Philippines%20Bus/WowPhilippinesCab.jpg

kiretoce

February 4th, 2007, 06:17 AM

^^ Nice! :okay:

==========================================================

Economist urges RP to target Chinese tourists
Saturday, February 03 2007

The booming tourism sector in the Philippines will get a further boost if it targets on the high-spending Chinese tourists, an economist said.

Nicholas Kwan, Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong Ltd. regional research chief in Asia, said China is the new source of tourists mainly because the Chinese are big spenders.

"It will be the key factor in the growth of tourism in the Philippines," he said.

Kwan describes the market of Chinese tourists as "investing consumers" as the purchasing power of a single Chinese buyer will equal that of four to five tourists combined.

"The Chinese don't just buy for themselves. When they buy a camera for example, they buy in fours of fives," he said during the 2007 Global and Philippine Economic and Investment Perspective forum of Standard Chartered Bank held last Thursday at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

"They spend 10 times more than the Americans and Japanese," Kwan said.

Apart from being big spenders, he said the Chinese are also known worldwide as big investors who venture into factories, electronics and jewelry.

According to a report by Hsu Kao-ching, secretary general of the Tourism Business Association in Taiwan, a huge number of "cash-rich" Chinese from mainland China are already booking vacations in Asia and Europe, in preparation for the Lunar New Year Holiday next month.

"With their wealth, the Chinese have an influence in the global travel market," Hsu said.

The Lunar New Year is the biggest festival of the year for ethic Chinese communities around the world and it is also a traditional time for family reunions.

Hsu said a large number of Chinese is expected in popular tourist destinations, such as Phuket in Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.

Kwan said in Hong Kong, for instance the Chinese account for 30 to 60 percent of the total number of tourists.

He said the Philippines will also be expecting an influx of Chinese tourists starting this year.

"The Philippines has traditionally been strong in the tourism sector," he said.

Citing official Chinese figures, Kwan said of the 1.3 billion Chinese population about 50 to 100 million Chinese travel abroad each year; most of them go to Hong Kong.

Close to one billion Chinese travel within China, however.

Kwan also said apart from a potential increase in the number of Chinese visiting the Philippines, there will also be a "re-emergence" of Japanese tourists in the country.

"There has been a stagnation in the number of Japanese tourists but it is expected to once again increase in the next two to three years," he said.

OtAkAw

February 4th, 2007, 09:08 AM

^^The DOT should seriously awe the Chinese. Look at the Koreans, nabighani nang husto sa Pilipinas!

chixbebe

February 6th, 2007, 11:17 AM

The tourism industry called for the immediate passage of the proposed bill seeking the formulation of a national policy for tourism to make the industry stronger and more competitive.

In a letter to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., the Federation of Tourism Industries of the Philippines Inc. (FTIP), which is composed of all the major associations in the tourism industry, said the bill would address the shortage of hotel rooms in tourist destinations nationwide.

The great demand for hotel accommodations from tourists has been reported in the destinations which the FTIP had been promoting particularly Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and also in the Metro Manila area.

The FTIP warned that the demand should be addressed within the next two years or else the industry would suffer due to lack of hotel rooms and infrastructure in potential tourist destinations.

FTIP also noted that the industry is facing tremendous challenges including inadequate funds for marketing and promotions, weak support mechanism for investment promotions, inadequate training of the tourism workforce and lack of consultation and cooperation between the national government, local government and the private sector.

"The passage of the Tourism Act is a must if we want to attain the economic and political stability of our country," the FTIP noted.

The bill, which was certified as urgent by the President, is currently being tackled in the period of amendments in the Senate.

The bill was introduced and sponsored by Sen. Richard Gordon, a former tourism secretary, while in the House of Representatives, the counterpart bill was authored by Bohol Rep. Edgardo Chatto.

"Tourism means jobs and livelihood opportunities for millions of Filipinos. Tourism contributes some $2 billion to the Philippine economy and provides employment to more than 3.7 million Filipinos," FTIP said.

The salient features of the bill include the shared responsibilities of the national and local governments for the development of tourism development plans.

Tourism Philippines, a corporate body under the supervision of the Department of Tourism, would be created under the bill to market the Philippines as a major tourism destination in the world.

The agency would be composed of representatives from both the government and private sector that are concerned with the tourism industry.

"Under this setup, the continuity of the tourism marketing and promotional programs will be preserved in the event of change of secretary or undersecretaries," the FTIP said.

FTIP said the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) has become obsolete and could no longer be responsive to the needs of the industry.

Section 18 of SB 2138 provides for the reorganization of the PTA and would be renamed as the Philippine Tourism Assets Corp.

The bill provides for the creation of Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ), which expands the present setup of the PTA.

A Tourism Enterprise Zone Authority would also be established under the bill, which would designate tourism enterprise zones.

The government would encourage, provide incentives and facilitate private sector participation in the construction and operation of the public utilities and infrastructure in and around the TEZs.

FTIP is composed of all major tourism associations, namely the Philippine Travel Agencies Association; Philippine Tour Operators Association; Hotel Sales and Marketing Association; Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines; the Philippines Hotel Federation Inc.; Philippine Tourism Business Club; Board of Airline Representatives; Philippine Association of Convention Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers; Association of Car Rental Companies Inc.; Manila Japanese Travel Agents and Hoteliers Association; Freedom to Fly Coalition; and the Southern Tagalog Tourism Council.

Lawyer Alejandra Clemente, FTIP president, said the travel and tourism industry has to take bold initiatives to maximize the tourism potentials of the country.

Senate Bill 2138, otherwise known as an Act Declaring a National Policy for Tourism, Reorganizing the Department of Tourism and its Attached Agencies and Providing Necessary Investment Incentives and Appropriating Funds Therefore, would grant the Department of Tourism the power to determine tourism policies and programs to develop and regulate tourism, implement such policies and programs on its own, through attached agencies, and in coordination with other government instrumentalities.

The bill seeks to "instill in the Filipino the fundamental importance of tourism in the generation of employment, investment and foreign exchange."

Clemente said that both the government and the private sector, which largely comprise the tourism sector, should come up with concerted efforts to address the so-called "bottlenecks" that have stunted the industry’s growth over the past several years despite the substantial gains in the past.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702060407.htm
By Marvin Sy
— With James Mananghaya

DoggMann

February 7th, 2007, 03:48 AM

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/diaspora/diaspora/view_article.php?article_id=47815

Note: bago basahin ihanda ang napkin ... :)

Between poverty and paradise

By Paolo P. Mangahas
Inquirer
Last updated 12:49pm (Mla time) 02/06/2007

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA- Last night, I had dinner with my German friend to talk about her planned trip to the Philippines. She had just completed an internship program in one of the law firms here in Malaysia and wanted to take a short holiday in a nearby country before heading off to Australia to finish her studies. She wanted to know more about the Philippines and asked me for tips on making the most of the two-and-a-half weeks that she had allotted for this vacation.

We planned her trip between bites, armed only with a faded map of the Philippines that we downloaded from the Internet. My goal was to identify all the “must-see” places (her criteria: beaches and volcanoes), plot them according to distance and flight routes then cram them all in 17 days.

A tall order indeed, especially for someone like me who’s never had a sense of direction even in my own neighborhood. For the life of me, I could not spot where Boracay was on her map. So I took the easy way out and told her to go to Palawan instead.

I carried on with the task like a diligent student trying to remember my geography, starting from the rice terraces in Banaue up north, moving down south to the Mayon Volcano in Bicol and the Chocolate Hills in Bohol. It was an embarrassing ordeal nonetheless as she could see that I was struggling to find all the other attractive destinations on the map, which in turn made me realize how little I truly knew about my own country.

She was very excited about the trip, eager to learn more about the country and its people. She imagined the Philippines to be an eternal fiesta of Spanish and Chinese Third-World flair, filled with warm and accommodating people who all speak with a clear American accent, where all men have the handsome earthy appeal of Jericho Rosales and women the heavenly mestiza charms of Kristine Hermosa (thanks to Filipino soap operas that have become so popular here in Malaysia).

It was certainly one of the most honest cultural impressions I’ve ever heard, and quite amusingly, one shared by many. In my German friend’s opinion, the Philippines is one of the most open-minded countries in Southeast Asia. I found this view rather interesting, especially since it came from a European who’s never stepped foot in the Philippines and whose only direct exposure to the country was me.

The funny thing about cultural impressions is that they often come from a place of both acute perception and blatant ignorance, split in the middle by what is painfully true. But they are what they are—impressions.

Quite naturally, my friend and I have come to build our own impressions about Malaysia in the several months we’ve been here. Malaysia is a beautiful country that seems to be in a hurry to develop economically, but is hampered by a palpable trace of social reluctance. It seems grounded on an age-old culture that simply does not mix well with progress, or at least the kind dictated and exemplified by the Western world. I find this true for most developing Asian countries, including the Philippines.

My friend pointed out that she’s never seen a beggar in the streets of Kuala Lumpur since she moved here and asked me if it’s the same in the Philippines. As a matter of fact, she admitted that she’s never seen a beggar up close in her whole life and asked me to explain how it is to live in a poor country. She wanted to know more about poverty.

Her question struck a chord in me because I realized that apart from Jericho Rosales, this woman had absolutely no idea about the country she was going to and how it was out there. Here was someone who came to me wanting to know more about my country and the best I could offer was a geographical representation of scenic destinations, which I hardly even knew myself.

By this time I had put down the pen I was holding, set aside the map, and got ready to explain details about my country. I didn’t know where to begin. How does one explain poverty to someone who’s never experienced it before?

To make things more relevant to her, I started by comparing the Philippines to Malaysia. I told her that blue-collar workers in the Philippines did not have the same opportunities as the ones in Malaysia, who can afford to eat in the same restaurants as executives or even shop in stores where their bosses shop. I told her that unlike the ones I have met in Malaysia, secretaries and administrative clerks in the Philippines eat in posh restaurants only on very special occasions and can barely afford to travel to other countries.

I then told her about the beggars, young and old, who parade in the streets of Manila, the children who knock on car windows selling sampaguita, the mothers who have to forage for food in garbage landfills, and the unemployed fathers who waste their lives on drugs and alcohol. I told her about the shanties that bedeck highways and railroads, the unproductive traffic jams, the garbage-infested streets and sewers, and the regular typhoons that flood the country and exacerbate already poor living conditions.

I told her that poverty in the Philippines hits you in the face unapologetically the very moment you step in. It’s an open wound waiting to be healed.

My friend looked shaken, as if experiencing for the first time a world she has seen only on TV. That was when my tears started to fall. I could not help it. I have never cried in front of a semi-stranger before but for some reason, I cried this time because she was still not immune to these things. Her unawareness taught me to see poverty as if for the first time myself - bringing a lot of pain. I’ve become so used to the pain that I’ve forgotten how it felt until I painted the sad face of poverty for her.

I then found myself having to explain to her that despite all these, the Philippines is still a beautiful country and this you also feel the very moment you get there. It’s a beauty characterized by the indomitable human spirit of a people who have seen better days and yet still have the capacity to find a piece of heaven in their lives. It’s beauty defined by the untiring faith of a people who have learned to acknowledge their plight with reverence and yet have never lost the courage to dream big dreams. It’s a beauty characterized by the painful history of a people who have been abused and pillaged through years, yet still have so much of themselves to give.

Now her tears were falling, smearing the map I had earlier vandalized with circles and arrows. I knew it did not matter this point. I realized that my friend had learned all she needed to know about my country and my people. She thanked me profusely, saying that she came to me wanting to know more about how poor the Philippines is but in the end, she learned how abundantly blessed Filipinos truly are.

A beach is a beach and a volcano is a volcano anywhere in the world, but it’s the people who make the difference. I learned in that moment that I may not know the geographical features of my country all too well, but I sure know its heart and its soul because it’s who I am.

The real poverty lies in not knowing this.

Paolo P. Mangahas, 32, is currently working in Kuala Lumpur as Head of Communications for WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia). He won Honorable Mention in the 2003 Doreen Fernandez Food Writing Award for his piece “Adobo, I’m Home” and has published several essays on food, lifestyle, fashion, and social and environmental development.

Espma

February 7th, 2007, 03:55 AM

^^aww that's just beautiful, heartfelt indeed.

swatch69sg

February 7th, 2007, 06:39 AM

That was a very emotional literary piece but after reading it...parang BITIN!!!.

I wonder if the writer has came up with another emotional piece after his German friend visited the Philippines (teka...Has the writer's friend already visited or will be visiting the Philippines?) ...I really wanna know the experiences and impressions that his German friend has found while vacationing in our native land....

athan

February 7th, 2007, 08:39 AM

I don't get it. So the German friend has lived in Kuala Lumpur without having witnessed poverty in the Malaysian capital? Which there is.. There are a few slums in KL itself. And the rural Sabah and Sarawak parts of Malaysian Borneo shouldn't run out of even the slightest signs of poverty. If i were the Filipino guide, I would have told her that poverty is not unique to our country, and that all Southeast Asian nations have it (with the possible exception of Singapore). ASEAN is not Europe nor NATO nor G8.. Although sure Malaysia is ahead in getting rid of it. But Thailand and Indonesia may have just as much poverty as we have. It's even worse for the rest of ASEAN specially Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.

crappypants

February 7th, 2007, 09:02 AM

that's not the point. the point is we have it and it has existed for decades under the same recycled people who continue to run ,rather ruin the country .
people who live inthe Phils have become desensitized and i guess the writer is one of those.

athan

February 7th, 2007, 09:17 AM

basti

February 8th, 2007, 03:25 AM

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702080709.htm

China’s 2nd richest man eyes tourism investments in RP
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 02/08/2007

China’s second richest man, taipan Hui Wing Mau, has expressed interest in investing in the Philippines,primarily in the tourism sector.

Upon the invitation of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (FFCCCI) led by its president Francis Chua and special envoy for trade and investment to China Ambassador Carlos Chan, Hui — along with other members of the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce — is in the country to look at possible investment opportunities.

Hui, ranked by Forbes magazine as China’s second richest man, is the chairman of the Shimao Group which also controls the Le Meridien hotel chain.

In a very low-key visit, Hui paid a courtesy call to President Arroyo during which he expressed interest in acquiring an island to put up a resort for Chinese tourist.

Among the areas Hui and the Shimao/Le Meridien chain have shown interest in are Panglao Island in Bohol province, Panay Island across from Boracay, Samal Island and Palawan.

Philippine commercial attache to China Jorge Mendoza Judan, who is accompanying the Shanghai business delegation, said the visiting Chinese businessmen are also looking at possible infrastructure investments such as an international airport for Panglao which can accommodate much bigger planes that would bring in Chinese tourists.

Judan said the Shimao Group, which has at least $10 billion in investments in various high-end residential and commercial properties in Australia, Southeast Asia, Russia and China, is interested in doing some landbanking in the Philippines in anticipation of a Chinese tourism boom due to the proximity of the country to China.

The Philippines, Judan said, is the first ASEAN country that the Shimao Group is looking at with keen interest.

Judan estimates that the Shimao Group could easily bring in up to $1 billion in potential investments. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Trade Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila, and other government officials briefed Hui and the visiting members of the Shanghai business delegation on various other investment opportunities in the mining, agriculture, information and communications sector.

Yap told The STAR that he has asked Hui’s help in linking up with other Chinese investors who may be interested in various agri-business joint ventures and in biofuel production.

Yap also offered Laoag International Airport as a possible investment opportunity, noting that Chinese tourists appear to favor the Ilocos province as a destination to the extent that the Chinese government has decided to put up a consulate in Laoag.

athan

February 8th, 2007, 04:13 AM

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702080709.htm

China’s 2nd richest man eyes tourism investments in RP
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 02/08/2007

In a very low-key visit, Hui paid a courtesy call to President Arroyo during which he expressed interest in acquiring an island to put up a resort for Chinese tourist.

Among the areas Hui and the Shimao/Le Meridien chain have shown interest in are Panglao Island in Bohol province, Panay Island across from Boracay, Samal Island and Palawan.

This is good news; although I'm not sure he can acquire the whole Panglao or Samal island. Those are already well-established places and I bet they already have owners, portions of them at least. Maybe he meant acquiring a piece of one of those islands. However, I believe one of the many islets off Palawan and Panay may still be bought.

crappypants

February 8th, 2007, 07:57 AM

It has existed for decades too in <<China>> under the same recycled commie people who continue to run it.

Repeat the line replacing the one in << >> with Laos, Vietnam. With Myanmar replace commie with military junta. He he.

At least we're improving now, aren't we?

so we're supposed to feel better because others are in the same rut as we.
rejoice in the misery of others. the extent of wealth disparity in our country is much graver than any of those countries. What's worst is it's accepted by our politicians and people.

pau_p1

February 8th, 2007, 08:11 AM

redu23

February 8th, 2007, 09:15 AM

from iquirer feb 4 2007

Pinoy Londoners help spread the word

First posted 08:26:42 (Mla time) February 04, 2007
Lito Zulueta
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- There’s more to Philippine tourism promotion in the United Kingdom than ubiquitous cabs sporting the Wow Philippines logo. That stunt generated so much buzz and so much interest in the Philippines that not only has the country improved its share of the UK tourism market; its advertising conceit has now been copied by other countries.

Now London cabs also sport tourism promotions by United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Brunei. If self-critical Filipinos frown on the proverbial Pinoy penchant for aping other innovations, then at least Filipinos could lay claim to a marketing innovation of its own.

But the Department of Tourism prefers to stay a step ahead of the competition. The DOT London Office recently launched Travel Philippines, which seeks to encourage Filipino communities in the UK to promote and sell the Philippines to British travelers.

“The Filipino communities in the UK have become very influential, especially in the medical services,” said Tourism Undersecretary Oscar P. Palayab, who recently went to London during the World Tourism Market (WTM) fair to launch the program on behalf of Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

“It is time to take stock of our strengths as a community and use it to promote the good name of the country to our British friends, colleagues, neighbors and peers.”

Well-liked

Tapping the Filipinos in the UK to promote the Philippines as a tourism prospect means tapping the rather well-known gregarious character of Filipinos that have attracted Britons. Filipinos in the UK are mainly in the health and services sector, and they are known for their affability, hospitality and caring personality.

“In health services, Filipinos are the preference,” said Ambassador to the Court of St. James Edgardo Espiritu. “Sixty percent of foreign nurses in England are Pinoys; in Ireland, 90 percent.”

And because of marriage with UK nationals, Filipinos are increasing their presence in the UK. “Five to six Filipino babies are born every day,” Espiritu said.

Moreover, the number of Filipino students studying in UK schools is increasing. The figure is expected to reach 2,000 this year, and the students are being asked also to help promote the country as a tourism destination. In fact, during the WTM fair, students helped the Philippine tourism officers assist and entertain visitors to the Philippine booth.

“There is a growing respect for Filipinos in the UK for their industry, diligence, hard work and dependability,” said DOT London Office head Domingo Enerio III. “Other Filipinos have also made their mark as leaders in business, industry, commerce, education and the arts. We have to take advantage of this goodwill and harness it for the benefit of Philippine tourism.”

The Philippines has increasingly become known in the UK as a key travel destination because of the many natural sites it can offer, the affordability of its services, and the hospitality of the Filipinos.

A British host of a TV diving program has, in fact, proclaimed the Philippines as the best diving destination in the world not only because of its incomparable diving sites but also because of the warmth and friendliness of the Filipinos.

In a survey, 42 percent of UK tourists said they chose the Philippines because of the “warm, friendly people.”

The Philippines is likewise known in the UK as a bargain haunt. “The Britons are familiar with Greenhills, would you believe?” said DOT officer Verne Buensuceso, referring to the bazaars in the San Juan shopping center. The familiarity may not be incredible considering Britons’ love for shopping as proven by classic London shopping meccas known all over the world such as Harrods.

Buensuceso said the British market is “easy to please.” She explained that different activities can be organized under the Travel Philippines program so as to attract UK tourists. The activities may range from simple R&R to wedding, anniversary celebrations and even medical missions.

UK tourists are usually “repeaters.” “They come back to the Philippines because they enjoyed their stay during the first time, and when they come back, they bring along others with them,” Buensuceso said.

“It should be incumbent upon our kababayan here to spread the good word,” said Chit Afuang of the DOT London Office. Tourism partners—tourism operators, travel agencies, hotels, resorts and airlines—may coordinate with the London DOT office to fashion attractive packages for Britons and other people from the UK.

Filipinos can get involved in the new program by registering as “marketers.” They may get in touch with the London office at www.wowphilippines.co.uk/ travel.

Odds

The odds that face Philippine tourism promotion in Europe could be gleaned at the World Tourism Market 2006 in London. The huge exhibits put up by such tourism powerhouses as Italy and Spain showed that the European tourism industry also compete with the world for a slice of its own tourism market.

Spain had separate booths for key Spanish regions such as Sevilla, Andalucia, Leon and Catalunia, and even hosted the launching of a regional newspaper with former Spanish prime minister José Ma. Aznar as guest of honor. With the euro proving stronger than the dollar, and the European Union outpacing the United States in growth and economic vibrancy, the European Union seems to be on track of achieving its vision of a single European market and a singular European formation. The UK, of course, continues to use the pound as its currency, but save for that, it’s married to Europe for better or for worse.

Tried and tested

Dwarfed even by the tourism showcases of its neighboring Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines went the tried-and-tested route of small but beautiful-and indigenous. The showcase was a hut with wide capiz windows and tropical palm decor. The showcase basked in golden light, a neat theatrical trick that somehow made the setup glow like the famous Philippine sun.

The front of the hut functioned as a stage where the Bayanihan dancers would periodically perform folk dances. At other times, the front would be a massage parlor for harassed and stressed-out visitors.

The whole showcase radiated warmth and Filipino bayanihan, a cohesiveness and cooperativeness that Britons consider as primary Filipino traits.

Close-knit community

The cohesiveness of the Pinoys was shown when some 500 Filipinos packed the Baden Power auditorium to witness the launch of the new tourism program as well as the expanded programming of The Filipino Channel, the highly successful cable television service for overseas Filipinos of ABS-CBN.

Like anything Pinoy, the affair had a ragged fiesta quality to it, with much of the vigor generated by the infectious Pinoy enthusiasm. The Bayanihan dancers and musicians performed with much enthusiasm. Actors Carlos Agassi and Nikki Valdez emceed and sang songs.

Ambassador Espiritu personifies the genteel, urged Filipinos to support the new DOT program. Looking avuncular and folksy, he embodies the warm and caring personality of the Pinoys.

Among the Filpinos working in London, Espiritu has earned good marks for his efficiency, effectiveness, and the ease with which he deals with community concerns, even the seemingly mundane. A banker by profession, he has a masa quality easily seen from his straightforward dealings with the Filipinos.

The ambassador said the Filipinos are making their presence felt in the UK in a warm and easy way that somehow contrasts sharply with the negative travel advisories issued by European governments on the Philippines. He said the Filipinos are themselves the country’s best ambassadors of goodwill—and good image.

“Tourism is very important for us,” Espiritu said. “The challenges are many as we all know. But I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

athan

February 8th, 2007, 09:16 AM

so we're supposed to feel better because others are in the same rut as we.
rejoice in the misery of others. the extent of wealth disparity in our country is much graver than any of those countries. What's worst is it's accepted by our politicians and people.

It's capitalism. It's reality. Our country is just a reflection of the region. We have Singapore. We have Laos. And everything in between. ASEAN equals wealth disparity. Doesn't mean it will stay forever like that. We're working to fix it now and the figures show that we're doing it faster this time around.

redu23

February 8th, 2007, 09:19 AM

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/petpetyalic/london2.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/petpetyalic/london3.jpg

athan

February 8th, 2007, 09:28 AM

^^ awesome pics of WOW taxis in Kensington and Knightsbridge, London.

Looks like those pix were from last summer. The trees are still green and the our envoy is still wearing barong outdoors. I hope it stays there for long.

Manila-X

February 8th, 2007, 09:28 AM

About the beggar issue, I have met alot of them in Manila especially children. Honestly, I never give money to these children. Para sa akin, hindi sila mukang kawawa in fact karamihan sa kanila ay abuzado.

There was one issue where me and a friend of mine visited Manila several months ago and was confronted by a child beggar in Ermita. We just got some food from Mc Donalds. We told him that we don't have much money and we plan to give him some of our french fries. He refused to accept it and wanted for money.

Yes there are alot of beggars in Manila both young and old but the question is, where do they spend their money?

crappypants

February 8th, 2007, 09:39 AM

It's capitalism. It's reality. Our country is just a reflection of the region. We have Singapore. We have Laos. And everything in between. ASEAN equals wealth disparity. Doesn't mean it will stay forever like that. We're working to fix it now and the figures show that we're doing it faster this time around.

no it's not capitalism it's feudalism.

smokingunmanila

February 8th, 2007, 11:35 AM

Panglao is a very big island and I doubt he can afford to buy it off.. I think he intends a smaller island off the coast of Panglao....

anyways.. can anybody still acquire their own islands?... I think it was prohibited already.... but anyways it will bring in good investments to the country!.. specially for Bohol and maybe Cebu which is the nearest metropolitan area...

hahahaha...with the article , I think they are just referring to a portion of those islands...a sub island located in those areas...although he can afford it...I came across a seller of just islands in the Philippines...I wonder where he is now...

shadow_can2003

February 8th, 2007, 11:45 AM

chixbebe

February 8th, 2007, 12:00 PM

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702080709.htm
By Marianne V. Go

China’s second richest man, taipan Hui Wing Mau, has expressed interest in investing in the Philippines,primarily in the tourism sector.

Upon the invitation of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (FFCCCI) led by its president Francis Chua and special envoy for trade and investment to China Ambassador Carlos Chan, Hui — along with other members of the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce — is in the country to look at possible investment opportunities.

Hui, ranked by Forbes magazine as China’s second richest man, is the chairman of the Shimao Group which also controls the Le Meridien hotel chain.

In a very low-key visit, Hui paid a courtesy call to President Arroyo during which he expressed interest in acquiring an island to put up a resort for Chinese tourist.

Among the areas Hui and the Shimao/Le Meridien chain have shown interest in are Panglao Island in Bohol province, Panay Island across from Boracay, Samal Island and Palawan.

Philippine commercial attache to China Jorge Mendoza Judan, who is accompanying the Shanghai business delegation, said the visiting Chinese businessmen are also looking at possible infrastructure investments such as an international airport for Panglao which can accommodate much bigger planes that would bring in Chinese tourists.

Judan said the Shimao Group, which has at least $10 billion in investments in various high-end residential and commercial properties in Australia, Southeast Asia, Russia and China, is interested in doing some landbanking in the Philippines in anticipation of a Chinese tourism boom due to the proximity of the country to China.

The Philippines, Judan said, is the first ASEAN country that the Shimao Group is looking at with keen interest.

Judan estimates that the Shimao Group could easily bring in up to $1 billion in potential investments. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Trade Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila, and other government officials briefed Hui and the visiting members of the Shanghai business delegation on various other investment opportunities in the mining, agriculture, information and communications sector.

Yap told The STAR that he has asked Hui’s help in linking up with other Chinese investors who may be interested in various agri-business joint ventures and in biofuel production.

Yap also offered Laoag International Airport as a possible investment opportunity, noting that Chinese tourists appear to favor the Ilocos province as a destination to the extent that the Chinese government has decided to put up a consulate in Laoag.

iba talaga ang pinas eh...wala na akong masasabe pa...:banana:

swatch69sg

February 8th, 2007, 01:02 PM

^^Maganda talaga. Pero asan nayung balita nu'n na gagawing ganyan yung mga Jeepney sa Manila?

OO nga..what happened to that plan?...Ilang beses na akong nagpapabalik balik sa Manila, ni isa wala pa akong nakikita....Naunahan pa kayo ng mga sitak dito sa Singapore...:)..I already saw around 3 here...

Bosnyboy

February 8th, 2007, 01:18 PM

@shadow_can2003: marami ng jeepneys dito sa manila na covered yung body ng wow philippines. Its almost everywhere

shadow_can2003

February 8th, 2007, 01:55 PM

@shadow_can2003: marami ng jeepneys dito sa manila na covered yung body ng wow philippines. Its almost everywhere

^^Oh ok...diko kasi napansin nung lumuwas ako eh.

flymordecai

February 8th, 2007, 02:11 PM

There was one issue where me and a friend of mine visited Manila several months ago and was confronted by a child beggar in Ermita. We just got some food from Mc Donalds. We told him that we don't have much money and we plan to give him some of our french fries. He refused to accept it and wanted for money.

:lol:

I'm sorry, I just found the french fries part hilarious.

crappypants

February 8th, 2007, 06:58 PM

maybe he wanted a burger :lol:

redu23

February 8th, 2007, 07:01 PM

^^Maganda talaga. Pero asan nayung balita nu'n na gagawing ganyan yung mga Jeepney sa Manila?

marami na rin akong nakikitang jeepney na may wow philippines..:) :)

metrosuburban

February 8th, 2007, 09:04 PM

wala ko makita sa Quezon City... siguro sa Makati business district lang yun, kase naman, ang papangit halos ng mga jeep...

zeejay

February 9th, 2007, 03:53 AM

The Senate has approved the Tourism Act, which aims to promote and develop the tourism industry as an engine of growth and development. The bill would allow the government to invite investors in the tourism industry by introducing them to the Tourism Enterprise Zones where certain fiscal and non-fiscal incentives may be availed of by investors. There will be a reorganization of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to form the Tourism Enterprise Zone Authority (TEZA), which would be in charge of getting investors to develop the tourism zones. Jobs will be created inside this tourism zones so as to prevent the loss of the tax oppurtunities inside the zone.

shadow_can2003

February 9th, 2007, 04:08 AM

Manila-X

February 9th, 2007, 05:53 AM

:lol:

I'm sorry, I just found the french fries part hilarious.

You just meet alot of crazy kids out there in Manila.

pau_p1

February 9th, 2007, 07:22 AM

Manila-X

February 9th, 2007, 07:46 AM

well.. there are many syndicates who harbor these beggar kids in several cities in the metro... at night, they collect the kids and collect from them their beggings... and releases them again in the morning...

there are reports wherein kids who don't bring in cash to the syndicates are tortured... and so those kids who don't accept food are usually held by these syndicates...

I have already encountered a lot of beggars here also where in they would either reject the food or throw them back to you... some even would leave you as soon as you start to prepare a food for them...

kung hindi member ng sindikato ehh.. day-job lang nila ang mamalimos... that's why it's very hard to know which is truly in need... and that's why also in Manila, I believe there is an ordinance na bawal magbigay ng limos sa daan...

I'm aware of that and that's why I don't give money to this kids. Kahit may ordinance marami pa rin mga bata ang nag mamalimos at meron din mga tao nagbibigay sa kanila.

I think those who want to give money to the needy are better off donating their cash to charity organizations rather than giving it directly to these kids.

But honestly the presence of this kids do not look good to foreign tourists or portray a negative look of Manila but again, it also show the reality of life in the concrete jungle.

heathcliff

February 9th, 2007, 08:22 AM

The Senate has just approved the Tourism Act, which allows the government to invite investors to invest in tourism enterprise zones where they can avail of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

From Philstar:

The new tourism bill provides that the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) would be reorganized to form the Tourism Enterprise Zone Authority (TEZA), which would be in charge of getting investors to develop the tourism zones.

The assets and liabilities of the PTA would be held in trust and managed by a special committee composed of the secretaries of Tourism, Finance and Budget and Management.

Hmm. Pag malapit na talaga ang eleksyon, dumarami ang nagagawa ng Senado, ano? Dapat siguro may eleksyon sa Kongreso taon taon. :D

This bill will certainly give a boost to the government's tourism campaign.

pau_p1

February 9th, 2007, 08:31 AM

don't center you attention to the Senate alone... Congressmen, Mayors, Governors, Councilor, et al are very active when election period is just around the corner...

have you noticed your road newly asphalted or you had new streetlighting or Congressman or Vice-Mayor has a new project or is your sidewalk newly concretized... well.. parang pg malapit ang eleksyon, narerelease ang mga budgets nila for these projects....

@wanch.. yeah I agree that I hope they will be cleaned out of the streets permanently....it takes political will and enough habitation for them... I'm glad that there are different foundations that help the government do this... like the foundation I'm with.. Virlanie..

that Tourism Act would surely help us...

Animo

February 9th, 2007, 09:04 AM

Lobbying for the passage of a new Tourism Act has intensified during the past few weeks as Congress is about to end its regular session. According to tourism industry players, the proposed bill will make the industry stronger and more competitive. Do we really need more legislative measures that would create or rename even more government agencies, all purportedly to boost the growth of tourism in the country? Do we really want tourists to come?

The Philippine Star

Lobbying for the passage of a new Tourism Act has intensified during the past few weeks as Congress is about to end its regular session. According to tourism industry players, the proposed bill will make the industry stronger and more competitive. Do we really need more legislative measures that would create or rename even more government agencies, all purportedly to boost the growth of tourism in the country? Do we really want tourists to come?

These and other questions are being raised by reader and community development specialist Charles Kick, III, PhD in a letter expressing his views about the government’s attempt to improve and promote the tourism industry.

"I write this in reaction to your column in Star (Still an uphill climb for RP tourism, 12 January 2007), as a UP alumni and as a parent of two Filipino adults.

"In over 25 years of visiting the Philippines, for stays short and long, I’ve often made mental comparisons between what it was like to come to the Philippines compared to the other countries that I was visiting or working in. The one common thread of all those observations is that the Philippines does not really want tourists.

"Yes, some businesses and individuals want tourists; and yes, tourism is an excellent ‘industry’ for the Philippines’ current human and natural resource base. But really wanting tourists in the Philippines means at least three things.

Learning more languages

"More Pinoys would need to learn third and fourth languages (most Filipinos speak at least two languages – their mother tongue and Tagalog). Yet, like people in many places [see the recent article in The Economist describing how the English are turning away from foreign tongues], Pinoys are reluctant to learn additional languages.

"The quality of English in the Philippines is much lower than it was when I first came in 1982. Public encouragement and support for the learning of languages is nearly absent; the poor quality of English and Spanish instruction in the nation’s schools is one result of its near absence.

"Inherent in this is the recognition that other cultures have something that may be of value to Filipinos, that it is bad for business to say mabuhay and yet have a ‘chip on one’s shoulder’ about foreigners. Filipino television should have English subtitles and English television should have Filipino subtitles as both are official languages (Vanuatu has three official languages and citizens are entitled to having media in the language they choose).

Better management and less corruption

"Government would have to accept that developing the tourism industry requires better overall management and less overall corruption because in tourism, the ‘product’ that attracts ‘buyers’ is the local scene. The local scene can be made unattractive by the cobwebs of bad management and the stink of corruption.

"(Following are) some management pitfalls that now exist for touring the Philippines (corruption pitfalls being fairly well known):

"Visitors to RP from ‘respected’ countries get only a 21-day visa. This is an unusually brief period. Visitors to Fiji from ‘respected’ countries get four-month visas on arrival, for free. For the same type of visitors, Japan gives 90-day visas, Thailand gives 28- or 30-day visas, and Tuvalu gives one month visas – all free of charge.

"Other countries (such as the US and Vietnam) give visitor visas that are also longer than RP’s, although for a fee. And the bureaucracy for extending such visas should not be more cumbersome than a trip to and from the airport, and it should not be so centralized: Why should someone visiting to help the reconstruction in Guinobatan have to travel all the way to Manila to get an extension?

Safer, more efficient tourist movement

"Highways and other roads need to be kept clear for the safe movement of traffic. Too many roads are not labeled, have squatters (houses, fences, stalls, etc.) right beside, or on them, blocking not only the roadway but also driver visibility and pedestrian footpaths.

"In Thailand, it is possible to ‘Fly/Drive’ – to rent a car at the airport and drive around the country. There are maps, roads are signed or labeled, roads and roadways are kept clear, etc., not to mention semi-permanent police checkpoints that free democracies do not tolerate without a specific probable cause and which block the flow of traffic even when they are not ‘manned’.

Minimum tourist tax

"Taxes and fees for tourism should be kept to a minimum, and be as broad-based as possible. Tourists will and do shy away from highly-taxed ‘attractions’.

"Yes, many nations charge a tourist tax on hotel beds and eateries and even amusement parks. That tax is (like VAT) usually a percentage of the room rate, meal price or entry fee for all registered establishments – not just the upscale ones (yes, throughout the OECD countries, local citizens have to pay the tax if they stay in a hotel).

"Terminal fees are another broad-based tax that many nations use, and even domestic travelers pay the tax. Departure fees for international travel are also broad-based, although they affect international tourists and not local ones. Quality, not quantity

"Quality yields higher profits than quantity. France is the world’s premier tourist destination. Why? Because the French give priority to quality – not price (I’ve often found a visit to London to be more expensive than a visit to Paris, and France is not noted for low prices), nor quantity (such as Jollibee and the various Disneylands thrive on).

"Thailand has developed much of its tourism appeal through consistent attention to quality – improving infrastructure, keeping high standards even at low-cost hotels, and good and reliable information for tourists, most of whom speak a language other than Thai.

"Unfortunately for the Filipino, the world sees him as always wanting to pay the lowest price, even if the lowest price is really more expensive. Over time; this habit must be shed, and be seen to be shed: the cheapest is not the same as the lowest price.

"‘Padding’ payrolls – creating employment for 10 when there is only enough work for six – cannot go very far in alleviating un- and underemployment. Yes, tourists need to be served, but having large numbers of sales clerks or waiters or taxi-callers is counterproductive.

"Tourists are better served by organization than numbers (see the discussion above about quality). And this is true on the street as well as at tourist destinations.

"Organized taxi ranks are better than ‘flaggers’ who offer to get a taxi. In other words, hire the six, pay them what the work is worth, and those six will hire the other four (and perhaps more) to help them deliver their outputs.

Actively involved communities

"Communities must be involved in tourism ventures. Throughout the South Pacific, the most successful tourist destinations (successful for visitors and businesses alike) have involved the local communities in augmenting the tourist experience by providing entertainers, food, handicrafts, ‘village visits’, labor, etc.

"That is not to say that the ‘Club Med’ has not been a success for its patrons or proprietors in Noumea; rather it is to say that that ‘model’ has a limited market that needs special attention and that such focused attention is not possible for the general tourist. A tourist spot that calls itself something like ‘Pistang Laguna’ should showcase Laguna products, not products from Quezon Province.

"Barangay government could do a lot more for such enterprises by helping to keep roadways (the entire right-of-way) clear, helping local businesses meet tourism operators, etc. Involving communities is an inexpensive way to achieve quality, but while it costs little, it takes attention, regular and frequent attention.

"Thanks for your ‘ear’ on this. While I am not enamored of your idea of the RP being a medical tourism destination (Thailand’s medical systems, like its highways, are more robust), it is an area that can help open the way to more broad-based tourism."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=66202

chixbebe

February 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM

The Senate has approved on third and final reading the Tourism Act, which aims to promote and develop the tourism industry as an engine of growth and development.

Sen. Richard Gordon, the principal author of the bill, welcomed the passage of the bill in the Senate, saying that it has the potential to bring in billions of revenues to the country.

"By promoting tourism now and by sending a signal to the whole world that we have a new tourism bill, we are creating landmark change in getting tourists into our country. We are ready now to advertise the country throughout the world and give the world an idea of what the Philippines is other than bombings, kidnappings. We can now show the brighter side of the Philippines which is good for our people abroad and good for our people here," Gordon said.

He said the bill would allow the government to invite investors in the tourism industry by introducing them to the Tourism Enterprise Zones where certain fiscal and non-fiscal incentives may be availed of by investors.

The new tourism bill provides that the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) would be reorganized to form the Tourism Enterprise Zone Authority (TEZA), which would be in charge of getting investors to develop the tourism zones.

The assets and liabilities of the PTA would be held in trust and managed by a special committee composed of the secretaries of Tourism, Finance and Budget and Management.

When economically feasible and financially viable, assets may be assigned to the TEZA for sale, lease or development into zones.

Gordon explained that the PTA has become obsolete because it became just a "property owner or manager."

"It just rents out (facilities) or just runs hotels, and horror of horrors, it does not make any money. It actually makes money from only one asset – the rent from the Tagaytay Park," he said.

The bill would also pave the way for the reorganization of the Philippine Conventions and Visitors Corp., which will become a new entity to be called Tourism Philippines (TP).

The bureaus for Domestic and International Tourism Promotions and the Office of the Tourism Information and Product Development of the Department of Tourism (DOT) would also be placed under TP.

Moreover, the operation and supervision of foreign field offices of the DOT would be transferred to TP, which will be tasked to market and promote the Philippines as a major global tourism destination.

One of the incentives to be provided to zone operators and locators is an income tax holiday for six years, which may be extended to another six years if the enterprise undertakes a substantial expansion or upgrade of its facilities prior to the expiration of the initial six years.

In lieu of all other national and local taxes, except real estate taxes and TEZA fees, a new tourism enterprise shall pay a tax of three percent on its gross income.

However, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said these proposed tax incentives for the tourism industry would throw the country’s investment incentives program into disarray.

Gordon allayed this concern as he said the loss of tax opportunities with the development of the Tourism Enterprise Zones would be compensated by the new jobs that would be created inside the zones and these could provide a new tax base for the government.

"When tourists come in they will be bringing in dollars," he added.

The House of Representatives is expected to pass its own version of the bill before the 13th Congress adjourns.

By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star 02/09/2007
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702090404.htm

– With Des Ferriols

swatch69sg

February 9th, 2007, 11:34 AM

By JAC VIDGEN
Manila Bulletin
February 9, 2007

(Editor’s note: The writer is a Buteyko breathing practitioner who has been coming to Manila at least three times a year for seminars and workshops. Witnessing his first Philippine festival was such a thrilling experience, he attests. There is nothing like being there, he adds. Here he writes about the colorful Dinagyang festival in Iloilo as seen from a foreigner’s eyes)

IN Australia, it seems our biggest comparable festival is the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras (which is big — and hundreds of thousands of people watch the parade) — but this is obviously representing a relatively small section of the wider community.

Dinagyang was my first real Filipino festival — and what a wonderful experience it was!

I learned that there are a number of similar festivals around the country — all rooted in tribal traditions and now mixed with more recent Christian themes. I’d seen some photos over the years but nothing could create the atmosphere like being there on the street and seeing/feeling/hearing the people celebrate. And I believe that humans all need to express their desire for celebration.

This is one of those festivals which has evolved from a combination of ancient tribal and also more modern traditions. The origin of this style of festival seems to have come from an island nearby (closer to Boracay) — apparently it was initially about war, but now involves Saint Nino (pronounced ‘ninyo’ — the manifestation of the baby Jesus?) who represents peace...... go figure!

Suffice to say, lots of people have lots of fun and celebration — there’s dressingup (very ‘urban tribal’), drumming, dancing, drinking, plenty of colour and movement — and seemingly pretty good vibes all around...... oh, and of course eating! And these days, the necessary commercial element — but no-one seems to mind, and a good time was had by all.

Well, Dinagyang certainly allowed them to do that! The costumes, the drums, the dance routines, the black body paint, the painted faces — and the ubiquitous St. Nino in his many guises — all combined to create a spirit of joy.

Then there were the enthusiastic crowds — many of the kids sporting fake tattoos and masks etc. It was a real family affair too. Of course the sponsors were very present — as were the police — but it seemed like a peaceful happy event where all concerned had a great time.

At night, the streets were filled with revellers — entertained at various stages, with dancing in the street, and, in true Filipino style, with a huge food festival!

For my friend, a Filipino, it was also his first big festival, and we both had a totally enjoyable few days...... in all, a highly recommendable event!

OtAkAw

February 9th, 2007, 03:23 PM

^^Foreigners like those kinds of stuff don't they?

garzland

February 10th, 2007, 03:21 AM

Is there already an offical data regarding the number of foreign tourists arrived in the country last year?

TheAvenger

February 10th, 2007, 12:50 PM

Pls note that the Photos of the Hotair Balloons Festival at Clark I have posted
in the Thread Hotair Balloon at Samahan of Philippine Forum with the below
link :

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...=428932&page=2
________________________________________
Last edited by TheAvenger : Today at 05:24 AM. Reason: Photos of Hotair Balloons Festival - Clarkfield Pampanga from 8th to 11th Feb. 2007

DoggMann

February 11th, 2007, 11:54 PM

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business4_feb12_2007

Tourist arrivals to rise 10%

By Roderick T. dela Cruz

International visitor arrivals to the Philippines are expected to increase by 8 percent to 10 percent in 2007, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said over the weekend.

The growth forecast matches the 8.4-percent increase in arrivals in 2006, which was a record-year for tourism, Durano said.

Data show that the number of foreign guests who visited the country reached a record high of 2.84 million last year, up from 2.62 million in 2005. But the 2006 figure was below the Department of Tourism’s target of 3 million foreign tourists for the year.

The government was targeting to draw 3 million visitors in 2006, 3.4 million in 2007, 3.88 million in 2008, 4.42 million in 2009 and 5 million in 2010.

But sources at the tourism department said the specific arrival targets for 2007 to 2009 were reduced after missing the 2006 target. But just the same, they said, the goal was to attract 5 million visitors by 2010.

Despite the increase in arrivals in 2006, the country’s tourism receipts from foreign tourists fell 6.9 percent year-on-year in 2006. Travel exports went down 1.1 percent to P120.87 billion in 2006 from P122.24 billion in 2005.

National Statistical Coordination Board secretary general Romulo Virola linked this to the strong peso, whose appreciation against the US dollar reduced the growth of the peso value of foreign inflows such as tourism receipts.

Durano described 2006 as a good year for Philippine tourism and said prospects for 2007 were even better, with the expected completion of new resorts and accommodation facilities that would bring the total number of hotel rooms to about 18,000 by yearend.

The hotel and restaurant sector expanded 6.1 percent year-on-year in 2006, contributing P106.03 billion, up 10.6 percent from P95.85 billion a year earlier.

Employment in hotels and restaurants grew by more than 42,000 jobs or 2.6 percent to 913,000 as of October 2006 from just 871,000 a year ago.

Durano said the passage of a P1.5-billion budget for the department in 2007 and the expected enactment of the Tourism Bill would be good for the industry.

“Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate, is doing its part to contribute to the President’s 10-point agenda, which includes tourism development as a means to accelerate employment generation. They have shown this not only through the Tourism Bill, which both chambers filed with their respective versions, but also through the bigger allocation for DoT in the 2007 national budget,” he said.

Senator Richard Gordon, the main proponent of the Tourism Bill in the upper chamber, said tourism means jobs for Filipino people.

“The industry has an immense impact on an economy. Every foreign tourist spends P50,000 in shopping, eating, touring and staying at resorts. On an average year, 2.6 million foreign tourists give our economy P130 billion. That P130 billion generates jobs across the board, from the ordinary street vendor to the hotel magnate,” Gordon said.

kiretoce

February 14th, 2007, 05:44 AM

Zamboanga is potential cruise ship destination: DOT
By Ulysses E. Israel Wednesday, February 14, 2007

ZAMBOANGA CITY can be a cruise ship destination in the southern Philippines but needs a terminal of international standards to harness the tourism potentials of the city and its neighboring provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula, a top regional tourism official said Monday.

Zamboanga was considered a tourist destination as early as in the 1960's, owing to its distinct tourist attractions, according to Ricardo San Juan, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for Zamboanga Peninsula.

Based on the Tourism Master Plan of the tourism department, the consultants of the DOT had recommended in 1995 to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Manila that a passenger-cruise ship terminal for local and foreign tourists should be built in the port of Zamboanga, San Juan said.

The plan remained as just a plan up to now, he said.

He said the city has the potential to become the cruise ship destination in the southern Philippines because of its distinct advantages.

One of these distinct advantages is the unique blending of multi-ethnic groups such as the Samals, Yakans, Tausugs, Subanens, Visayans and Zamboanguenos, and the perfect mix of Christian and Muslim cultures.

The local ethnic groups are unique in their own right, while the blending of these various tribes attracted interest from foreign nationals, he said.

The people plus the main staples of tourism -- the beach resorts, the natural landscape, the indigenous crafts and other tourist attractions like diving sites -- have stirred the curiosity of world travelers. This explains why the city has the making of becoming a favorite stopover for worldwide or regional cruise ships.

He stressed the need for the city port of Zamboanga to have a cruise ship terminal of international standards for the city to sustain the momentum of attracting more cruise ships. The Cruise Ship Terminal project would cost more or less P100 million to construct, he said.

He noted that other tourist destinations, like Cebu and Bohol, have passenger-cruise ship terminals that they can be proud of since these terminals have air-conditioned passenger lounges and tourist shops.

"The success of the recent visit of m/s Albatross, which carried hundreds of foreign tourists, should serve as a wake-up call to the city government and city tourism office and the private sector (working together) to help push for the construction of the Cruise Ship Terminal," he said.

"It is high time for the local government and the private sector to work harder in putting up the necessary support facilities for tourism industry," he said.

He said a Manila-based tour operator successfully negotiated in making Zamboanga City a cruise ship destination, but came about as a result of intensive marketing campaign of the Team Europe of the DOT.

He explained that the DOT is divided into several teams, which market the Philippines' tourist destinations in various parts of the world. Team Europe handles the marketing for European countries.

M/s Albatross, the cruise ship that caters to European tourists especially German nationals, arrived in Zamboanga City last February 9 with more than 500 tourists on board.

The visit of m/s Albatross in the City of Zamboanga was considered a success, registering a zero incident of crime affecting its tourists.

The survey of the passengers in response to the four major tourist spots that the passengers visited showed a favorable rating, he said. The German tourists rated Sta. Cruz Island, Maasin Farmers' Village, Taluksangay and the city proper as "excellent" tourist spots, he said.

These German tourists will now spread the word that the city is a safe and an attractive tourist destination, he said.

"The recent successful visit (of m/s Albatross) is a proof that the private sector, the local government and the DOT can make the city a very successful destination for cruise ships," he said.

He admitted though that much work has to be done and that the local government and the private sector should work harder to sustain the gains from the resurgence of tourist arrivals in the city.

"I hope it should awaken both the city government and the private sector to be aggressive in marketing the city in future market mission, and not to neglect the seafaring tourists," he said.

TheAvenger

February 14th, 2007, 08:54 AM

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour1.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour2.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour3.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour4.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour5.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour6.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour7.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour8.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour9.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour10.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour11.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/12.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour12.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour13.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour14.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/tour15.jpg

.

TheAvenger

February 14th, 2007, 08:59 AM

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Pinatubo1-1.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Pinatubo2.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pinatubo3.jpg

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TheAvenger

February 14th, 2007, 09:00 AM

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Casino1.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino2.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino3.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino4.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino5.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino7.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino8.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino9.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino10.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino11.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino12.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino13.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/casino14.jpg

.

crappypants

February 14th, 2007, 09:10 AM

^^very beautiful Malay looking true Filipinas.

xXx carlos xXx

February 17th, 2007, 06:40 PM

i dont know where to post this... i think this is the right thread for this one

palawan is included in the world's top 10 beaches(at least for this travel site, but still)...

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2007/feb/16/beach.top10

TheAvenger

February 17th, 2007, 07:23 PM

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Pik1.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik2.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik3.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik4.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik5.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik6.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik7.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik8.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik9.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik10.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik11.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik12.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik13.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik14.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik15.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/pik16.jpg

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Mango

February 18th, 2007, 06:21 AM

^^I just visited their website and I think the tour agencies should quote the price of those tour packages. That's what most travelers take into consideration.

swatch69sg

February 18th, 2007, 09:20 PM

25-taxi motorcade kicks off RP tourism campaign in Singapore

By Cynthia Balana
Inquirer
Last updated 09:28pm (Mla time) 02/18/2007

MANILA, Philippines--A 25-taxi motorcade along Singapore’s major thoroughfares and through its premier shopping district, Orchard Road, kicked off the “Wow Philippines” taxi ad campaign in the city-state recently.

In her report to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, Ambassador to Singapore Belen Anota said the launch of the motorcade coincided with the holding of the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2007 and the Travex (Travel Exchange) at the ATF.

Anota rode in the motorcade joined by Philippine Department of Tourism officials led by Oscar Palabyab, undersecretary for tourism services and regional offices sector, and Eduardo Jarque Jr., undersecretary for tourism planning and promotions.

Also present at the launch were officers and staff members of the embassy and its attached agencies, and leaders and members of the local Filipino community decked out in traditional Philippine garb.

Anota noted the event was covered by the Singaporean and local Filipino press.

The motorcade ended at the Suntec Convention Center, where the Philippine booth was manned by sales representatives of hotels, resorts, travel agencies and airlines in the country, such as the Waterfront Hotels, Marco Polo Davao, Club Paradise Palawan, Philippine Airlines and Seair.

The Philippine booth exuded a resort feel, adorned with lush greenery and a bahay kubo (nipa hut).

Organized by the Philippine Tourism Office in Singapore under tourism attaché Gerosel Syquian, the taxi ad campaign will run for three months.

This follows the successful bus ad campaign that ran in the city-state from April to June 2006 and the Mass Rapid Transit train ad campaign promoting the Philippines that ended on Dec. 31, 2006.

From January to September 2006, records showed that Singaporean tourist arrivals in the Philippines registered a 16.8-percent increase compared to the same period the previous year, making Singapore one of the highest growth markets for Philippine tourism

tigidig14

February 19th, 2007, 12:43 AM

galing Avenger

Sinjin P.

February 20th, 2007, 04:38 AM

DOT to give additional seats to foreign
airlines to meet target of 5M tourists

By Blessie Cordero
Correspondent

TO help meet the target of 5 million tourists arrivals in the country by 2010, Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said Monday that granting additional air seats to foreign airlines “should have an economic value for the country.”

“Just like our program in creating demand, we have to be reward-strategic in terms of giving out these air rights,” Durano said, adding that additional air seats would only be given out to air routes where there is actual demand or increased passenger traffic.

He noted that the government, under the strategy of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to generate at least 5 million tourist arrivals three years from now, has been aggressively expanding its air routes to be able tap nontraditional tourist markets as well.

“Just like the practice in other countries, air seats is not a privilege. That is why it is called a right. It is an asset of the country that should not be given out without any economic value,” Durano explained.

On the other hand, the Tourism department’s position jibes with the stand of Save Our Skies (SOS), a nongovernmental organization advocating for fair trade and fair skies, which has pushed for a regulated granting of seat entitlements to foreign carriers amid industry fears that progressive liberalization in the aviation sector has resulted in excess capacity.

Robert Lim Joseph, SOS president, had warned that the country’s economy, especially the tourism industry, remains vulnerable to the World Trade Organization-imposed open skies policy, asserting any air trade pact with foreign governments must offer reciprocal concessions to Philippine carriers.

Durano, who was one of Rotary Club’s awardees for tourism, an event initiated by the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, also announced that the department will press for the expansion of air rights between the Philippines and South Korea to meet the increasing passenger traffic on the Manila-Seoul route.

“A total of 590,000 seats was made available for the Manila-Seoul route last year and what was used up was 576,000.

We expect an increase of about 760,000 air seats this year,” he said.

DOT, a member of the air panel, has proposed more flights to and from Korea to achieve the target of 1.5 million tourists from that market by 2010.

The Philippines has also conveyed to Japan its desire to raise the existing frequency under the present Air Service Agreement, which at present allows each side to operate up to 52 times per week.

Over 2.8 million foreigners visited the country last year, up from 2005, but short of the 3 million targeted by the DOT.

kiretoce

February 20th, 2007, 06:17 AM

Golf helps drive RP tourism in South Korea

The popularity of golf in Korea is helping boost Philippine tourism to the 10 million–strong Korean outbound market, now the country’s top source of foreign arrivals.

This was revealed by Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano as he announced the country’s hosting of the 8th Philippines-Korea Amateur Golf Tournament on Feb. 22-25 at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in General Trias, Cavite.

"The event, to be hosted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) will have a large delegation of Korean golfers who now consider the Philippines as a preferred international golf destination in the South Pacific," Durano said.

"These delegates are probably among the growing number of Koreans who promote the Philippines to their fellow golfers through WOM (word-of-mouth) marketing, thus helping push the DoT’s campaign in Korea," Durano added.

Sponsored by Philippine Airlines, the golf tournament will have 10 trophies, seven free plane tickets, and four hotel accommodations as prizes.

Golfers accounted for a substantial share of the 572,133 Korean arrivals in 2006, according to DoT Team Korea head Basco-Ebron.

"In fact, our total number of Korean tourists could have easily gone beyond 600,000 if not for the shortage of room accommodations that the Philippines experienced last year," Ebron explained.

Durano attributed the room shortage to similar increases in arrivals from all other major foreign markets as a result of the success of the DoT’s various market-specific country teams such as Team Korea, Team Japan, Team China, Team North America, Team Europe, and Team Asia Pacific, among others.

Nonetheless, Team Korea posted the biggest number of arrivals, which accounted for over 20 percent of the total volume.

The Koreans are also among the major foreign investors in Philippine tourism.

"And the Korean investors are even doing the product development themselves in anticipation of further increases in tourism arrivals from their own country," Durano added.

Durano is working on increasing the country’s room capacity by promoting the Philippines, not only as a travel destination, but also as an ideal site for tourism investments.

The DoT has been posting record-breaking increases in tourism arrivals for three consecutive years now -- from 2.29 million in 2004 to 2.62 million in 2005 and 2.84 million in 2006.

The 2006 figures came about despite natural calamities and negative travel advisories from the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

crez

February 20th, 2007, 07:06 AM

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2006/mar/photo/ph102.htm

I've actually witness their ads early last year at Town Hall station. It was a picture of a guy in office clothes floating on his back (yeah he was alive LOL) and he was on crystal clear waters surrounded by cliffs lush with greenery,
it was lovely......but that was the only time I saw it.

they (DOT) need to do more, the Philippines is left behind by Vietnam when it come to advertisements here in Australia.

basti

February 22nd, 2007, 02:51 AM

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200702220701.htm

Gov’t eyes $1-B tourism investment
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
The Philippine Star 02/22/2007

The government is in talks with foreign conglomerates for a possible $1-billion "trophy investment" in the Visayas, the country’s top trade official said yesterday.

In an interview with reporters, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila said they are negotiating with at least two firms which he refused to name in the meantime, saying only that he met them in Davos, Switzerland during the World Economic Forum.

Last January, Favila and other government officials accompanied President Arroyo to the economic summit where they met several businessmen who have expressed interest in infusing money in the country.

He disclosed that they are in negotiations with a conglomerate and an exports firm considering investments in the country’s tourism industry. "This will be our trophy investment," he said.

Favila said the investment destination they are pushing is Central Visayas, which is home to many world-class beaches and resorts. Both Cebu and Bohol are located in the region.

As for infrastructure in the area, Favila said they will address the issue by building airports and seaports to facilitate easier travel. Lack of infrastructure has been identified by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as one of the major hindrances to both domestic and foreign investments.

In a separate interview, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Samie Lim said hotel and properties giant Shimao Group of China is seriously considering setting up a five-star hotel and commercial resort in Bohol.

According to Lim, Shimao Group Chairman Hui Wing Mau has personally confirmed to him the company’s interest in building high-end hotels either in Metro Manila or Central Visayas, specifically Bohol. He added that the group is on the hunt for a partner and is currently considering a joint venture with tycoon Lucio Tan.

The Shimao Group is controlled by China’s second richest man Xu Rongmao and is involved in real estate, properties and hotels. It has so far invested $10 billion in Shanghai, Beijing and other major cities in China. It is listed by Forbes magazine as the fifth largest firm in China.

Aside from the Shimao Group, Lim said a Middle Eastern company reportedly owned by the world’s eighth richest man Al-Waleed Bin Talal is also keen on investing in the tourism industry by building a hotel. Talal has investments in Four Seasons Hotel which operates 31 high-end hotels in over 30 countries.

Sinjin P.

February 22nd, 2007, 04:11 AM

Government eyes $1-B ecotourism deal

By Max V. de Leon
Reporter

THE government is now in advanced negotiations with a huge foreign firm that is keen on investing $1 billion for a full-scale ecotourism project in Central Visayas.

Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila refused to identify the company, as the Philippines is still competing with other countries for the investment at this time.

Favila said the company might form a joint venture with a local firm, so it could get its hands on an island in the Visayas and convert it into a resort complete with all the amenities and infrastructures needed like ports and an airport.

“Just imagine the kind of projects that it needs to do so it could spend $1 billion,” Favila said.

The firm, he said, has already picked a Central Visayas island for the project.

President Arroyo, he said, met with the officials of this company in a side event in the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

This, he said, is one of the companies being pursued by the government for brandishing as “investment trophies.”

The company that Favila mentioned could be one of the two firms mentioned by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Samie Lim to reporters as interested in having a stake in the country’s tourism industry.

These are the group of Al-Waleed Bin Tatal of the Middle East, which recently acquired a stake in the Four Seasons Hotel chain with billionaire Bill Gates, and the Shimao Group of Hong Kong.

Lim said it could be the Middle East group since it has secured direct lines with President Arroyo.

The Chinese firm, on the other hand, was hosted by the PCCI in a cocktail for the Shanghai Business Club early this month.

“We gathered that they are looking at Palawan, Bohol and Boracay for the planned tourism project,” Lim said.

Sinjin P.

February 22nd, 2007, 04:12 AM

Espma

February 22nd, 2007, 03:01 PM

^^whoa..$1 Billion is massive!!, I think there's a similar project like that going on in Vietnam....

smokingunmanila

February 22nd, 2007, 04:38 PM

Sana matuloy....

ishtefh_03

February 22nd, 2007, 04:42 PM

^^ oo nga bohol is such a beautiful place to develop... mas magaganda pa... :)

kiretoce

February 22nd, 2007, 04:54 PM

Tourism eyes investments from world’s richest people
By Katrina Mennen A. Valdez, Thursday, February 22, 2007

Two of the world’s richest people have shown interest in investing in the Philippine tourism industry.

One of the prospected investors is China’s hotel and property giant Shimao Group owned by Xu Rongmao, the second richest man in China who was reported to be interested in putting up a world-class hotel facility here that will include residential and commercial complex.

Another group the government courts is a company owned by the richest man in the Middle East and the eight richest in the world. The group is led by Al-Waleed Bin Talal, who bought the Four Seasons hotel together with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates and operates 31 high-end hotels in 31 countries.

This development is part of the government’s grand ambition to attract one business trophy equivalent to $1-billion worth of a single investment this year to be followed by two next year and two more in 2009.

The President’s economic team made the commitment during a Business Forum held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City this week.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Samie Lim, said earlier the Shimao Group is interested in building one 5-star hotel in Metro Manila and is looking into an area in the Central Visayas, particularly Bohol, for a possible resort project.

Su Rongma came to the Philippines as a member of the Chinese Business Team that visited the country two weeks ago. Lim said he has talked to Shimao Group chairman Hui Wing Mau who confirmed the company’s plan in investing in the Philippines.

When the talks become final, Lim said he would recommend the property group owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan to be the Chinese group’s local partner.

But Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila declined to confirm if the two groups are among the major investors that the government is eyeing for its “trophy business.”

Favila merely said the national government is now courting trophy investments that can infuse a minimum of $1 billion to sustain the country’s economic growth.

chixbebe

February 23rd, 2007, 04:23 AM

Renowned British botanist David Bellamy said the Philippines could be a model to other countries in balancing the conservation of coral reefs while promoting ecotourism.

In a recent interview with The STAR, Bellamy, who also hosts a popular nature television show in the United Kingdom, said he was amazed by the way Filipinos have exerted efforts to rehabilitate coral reefs as well as restoring the forests.

"More resources would mean more tourists for the Philippines," he said.

Bellamy, who is also president of the British-based organization Coral Cay Conservation (CCC), arrived in the country on Monday for a 10-day visit to witness the progress being done by communities, non-government organizations, local and national government toward the protection and sustainable use of the country’s rich biological resources.

"I have never seen such cooperation," he said. "It is not happening anywhere in the world," adding the Philippines has "amazing communities."

He said more and more Filipinos are seeing the values of these resources, saying they are now trying to do something to restore the things, which "they have destroyed."

He said nature could grow by giving them space to breathe thus asking Filipinos especially fishermen to allow 20 percent of the sea for conservation.

Eighty-percent, Bellamy said, would be enough for fishing, which is the main source of livelihood of Filipinos in coastal provinces.

"This will benefit fishermen, more resources will give them more catches," he noted.

Bellamy said he was lucky to spend some time in the country’s "enchanting" coral reefs, extinct volcanoes, diverse forests, and "most hospitable and friendly people."

"I came to see first hand the success of a number of projects of which I have been privileged to play a part with CCC and her partners over the past three decades," Bellamy said.

"Filipinos are shining examples of how local people across the worlds are stitching their world back into more sustainable working order," he said.

Bellamy also urged the media to report this good news about the Philippines.

Bellamy’s support for the environment conservation began in the early ’90s when he joined CCC founded by another British marine biologist Peter Raines.

In 1994, the CCC, in partnership with the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation started its project in Danjugan Island located in the Sulu Sea off the coast of Negros Occidental, to help protect the threatened forests and coral reefs of the island.

Now, Danjugan is a national marine reserve and wildlife sanctuary and the CCC-PRRCF partnership has been replicating similar successful conservation projects throughout the country, recently in Southern Leyte.

Bellamy also gave a keynote address during the 1st Ecotourism seminar and workshop of the Southern Negros Coastal Development Programme last Saturday.

One of the outputs of the seminar was the agreement forged by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and the CCC which aims to boost conservation awareness and appreciation among visitors in the Philippines’ beautiful coral reefs.

Meanwhile, Raines also told The STAR that 90 percent of the country’s coral reefs have been damaged by humans.

However, he said the good thing about the Philippines is that conservation only takes 12 to 18 months compared to 30 to 50 years in other countries because of Filipinos eagerness to become part of the conservation projects which gave them the advantage among other nationalities.

"I am delighted that David Bellamy had this opportunity to witness the wonders of the Philippine environment and the giant strides being taken to protect this global treasure for the future generations," Raines said.

Raines said a total of 3, 500 volunteered in the conservation project in Negros Occidental, most of whom are British.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702230423.htm
By Helen Floes
The Philippine Star 02/23/2007

beads_strawberries

February 23rd, 2007, 07:58 AM

^^ This article just adds up foreign tourists, expect more of them when summer time comes.

It just makes me proud that these foreign personalities recognized what we're doing to protect the environment. Now, who says the government is not doing anything to protect and maintain the beauty of our nature?

crappypants

February 23rd, 2007, 08:22 AM

yeah thats good to know

TheAvenger

February 23rd, 2007, 10:33 PM

double entry

TheAvenger

February 23rd, 2007, 10:47 PM

For Tourist who were interested in adventure, exotic islands, sea and sands they should visit our Kalayaan Island Group in the South China Sea.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Kalayaan.jpg

One of the islands of Kalayaan Islands Group;

You may check this website link :

http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/kalayaanpalawan/index.php?cat1=8&cat2=5

or the thread of SSC forum - Spratly - Off the coast of Palawan
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=382986

.

kiretoce

February 24th, 2007, 08:16 PM

Opening doors for Indian tourists
By Diana Uy

It is often said that when God created the Philippines, He added 7,000 more. But as far as our Indian neighbors are concerned, the Philippines is a little known group of islands in the southeast —nothing more.

Apparently, most of them have no clue where it is. In a survey conducted by the Department of Tourism , of visitor arrivals in the Philippines by country of residence (January to December 2006), India clocked in an estimated 22,000 visitors, which captures only 0.8 percent of the pie. It did not even make it to the top 12 of our foreign regulars!

Such is the dilemma of the Department of Tourism who are now on an aggressive campaign to lure Indians to come visit the country.

“Most of them don’t have any idea where the country is,” shares Alex Stutely of Blue Horizons Travel and Tours Inc., the only travel operator who participated in the recently concluded Outbound Travel Mart held at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai India, “I had to show them a map [to show] where the country is located.”

In agreement, San Jeet, of the Buzz Travel Marketing India Pvt. Ltd. and India representative of DoT, interjects, “Indians know of the Philippines. They’ve heard of Manila and Cebu, but nobody knows what to see and do in those places.”

A sliver of hope

The tourism department, under the helm of Secretary Ace Durano remains optimistic. And Durano may have reason to be.

According to Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr., they noticed that every time people talk about China, India is not so far behind.

“At times, they even talk of China and India as leading economists that are going to change how the rest of the world will behave,” observes Jarque.

The South Asian region disperses about 200,000 to half a million Indian tourists to favorite destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong in a year. The total Indian outbound Indian tourists amount to 8.5 million and the rate grows at 20 percent a year. Indian visitors can spend an average of $1,200 per visit!

San Jeet says Indian tourists can serve as fillers from April to June (off season for Western visitors).

Consequently, DoT, in cooperation with Singapore Airlines, tested the waters and invited three journalists from India’s top media outfits including the no. 1 daily, The Times of India. These journalists were then toured around some of the best destinations in the country including Boracay. DoT found out that though Indians loved our beaches, it was shopping that thrilled them the most—from the upscale Greenbelt to the frenzied 168 and our underground version of SoHo, which is the Recto underpass, the journalists and lifestyle writers couldn’t just get enough!

With the success of DoT’s little experiment, the tourism department decided to set up an office in New Delhi appointing San Jeet and his team, Damini Sinha and Poonam Makhija, as Philippine representatives to India, and participating in the Outbound Travel Mart last Feb. 10 to 12 in Mumbai.

“The aim is to make India the new China [when it comes to tourist arrival],” enthuses Jarque recalling the incredible turn of Chinese tourists to the Philippines after DoT’s incessant tourism campaign to the region.

Travel exchange

Department of Tourism also organized the First Philippine Tourism Conference to jumpstart its participation in the OTM. More than a hundred tourist operators and members of the Indian press attended the travel exchange held on Feb. 9, at the Taj Land’ End.

Participated in by more than 300 wholesalers and agents, the OTM is considered to be the biggest travel show in India.

Countries as far as South Africa, Jamaica to Europe competed against each other in terms of gimiks, national costumes, size and color of posters and booths, and brochures.

With breathtaking Philippine scenery as backdrop, a huge flatscreen tv, and the scene-stealing Bayanihan, the Philippine booth was considered a favorite in the OTM. In the end, the Philippines walked away with the Most Promising New Destination Award.

A call for the private sector

Though the Philippines is predicted to be the next big thing for Indians, San Jeet still expresses concerns about the challenges ahead. Various sectors have already emphasized on the need for more effective and intensive awareness campaigns; speedy Visa processing; and low-cost airfares. However, the actualization of let’s say, half a million Indian tourists coming to the country, still relies on the private sector and not only of the outside help or of the government.

“Travel agents in the Philippines must come forward. They must have a one-to-one relationship with the clients. Until then, there’s no point moving ahead.”

OtAkAw

February 25th, 2007, 10:37 AM

^^oOooh, I didn't know that we were unknown in India!

le Reine

February 25th, 2007, 01:41 PM

^yeah, I was also surprised. We really need a lot campaigning to do. I hope that the DOT would also be aggressive in promoting our country in Europe. If the Indians are almost "ignorant" about our country, then there is a big probability that the Europeans are more ignorant of us...

amigo32

February 25th, 2007, 02:51 PM

Really? Paanong ang daming Indians dito? Magic ba ang pagpunta nila rito?

Louman

February 26th, 2007, 01:49 AM

Askal82

February 26th, 2007, 04:57 AM

Really? Paanong ang daming Indians dito? Magic ba ang pagpunta nila rito?

Oo, sumakay sila sa Magic carpet. :lol:

chixbebe

February 26th, 2007, 06:08 AM

Tourism secretary Joseph H. Durano said that earnings from tourism reached $2.7 billion last year after arrivals grew 9.2 percent to 2.85 million.

Tourist arrivals have been growing the past three years.

Durano said that the industry is giving huge returns to the economy considering that the agency’s budget is only P900 million.

He said more tourists are coming after the government concentrated its efforts in luring nationals already interested in coming to the Philippines.
These are the Japanese, Koreans, mainland Chinese, and Filipinos residing abroad.

Marketing is also directed to Australia, Russia, Germany, US/Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Durano said the industry employed 250,000 new workers last year.

"There is also a trend towards convergence of the tourism industry as a model for development in the Philippines," he also said.

Plane load factor has also grown among major routes by as much as 70 percent.

The Philippines however is beset with the challenge of accelerating the expansion of its capacity to accommodate incoming tourists. Durano said capacity constraint on quality accommodations has become a primary challenge for the industry.

"There is so much demand in the market, but the only constraints is the capacity. There are already efforts but the challenge is how to accelerate this," he said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb26/busi2.htm
BY ALBERT D. CASTRO

OtAkAw

February 26th, 2007, 05:30 PM

^^Sheesh! Pinagmalaki pa yung P900M budget! Panu kung nilakihan lang yun ng kahit konte!

Insanedriver

February 26th, 2007, 06:18 PM

UNKNOWN IN INDIA??? (SHOCK!!!) :omg:
urgh...
d2 sa Doha kilalang kilala nila ang mga pilipino...
kasi kaaway nila sa trabaho :lol:
Sa mga kumpanya kasi...
Kung me magaaply...
mas pipiliin ung mga pilipino kesa sa kanila
WAHAHAHAHAHAAH
Klir kasi magsalita ng english ang mga pilipino kahit wrong grammar
kesa cla, tama nga ung english, para namang walang dila kung magsalita
buhay nga naman oh...

kiretoce

February 26th, 2007, 06:38 PM

^^ I think what the article was driving at is that the everyday Indian doesn't know, or have not heard of the Philippines, especially the uneducated.

c0kelitr0

February 27th, 2007, 07:20 AM

Top 10 Beaches of the World

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2007/feb/16/beach.top10

no. 5 -- Palawan

chixbebe

February 27th, 2007, 07:58 AM

imposibleng hindi kilala ang Pilipinas sa India...sa dinami dami nilang nagkalat ang lahi dito, sobrang imposible yata yun.

Making waves in tourism entrepreneurship

Ralph Espino and Antonio Carag are making waves in what is now dubbed "Tourism Negosyo."

Espino and Carag pioneered watersports-related businesses that are attracting local and foreign tourists.

A former commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving under the Department of Tourism, Espino established Aquamundo Scuba in 2002, which offers scuba gear such as regulators, gauges, tanks, compressors, wetsuits and other accessories.

After five years of being a distributor of imported scuba gear, Espino now supplies innovative, practical, and affordable scuba diving equipment to dive operators in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

"I did this with the ultimate goal of promoting scuba diving as both a recreational sport for Filipinos, and as a nation builder, providing tourism-related jobs in our country," said Espino, who started practicing entrepreneurship at the age of 10 by picking fruits in his backyard and selling them within the neighborhood.

Carag formed a group that showed the world that the Cagayan and Chico Rivers are must-explore sites. In 1999, a Tuguegarao-based organization of whitewater rafters emerged under Carag’s leadership, dubbed as Adventures and Expeditions Phils, Inc. (AEPI).

The successful emergence of AEPI came from an even greater success — the first-ever descent of the entire length of the Cagayan River in February 1998. This milestone was pioneered by the Cagayan River Outdoor Club, which was headed by mountaineers Herbert Perez and Edgardo Tiongson and Carag, the COO and president of AEPI.

Espino and Carag will each be hailed by President Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as an Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneur, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo Turismo Expo slated on March 2-4 at the SM Mall of Asia.

According to Espino, Aquamundo is a descendant of his first entrepreneurial venture. Ten years before Aquamundo, Espino set up a tour agency named Dive Buddies Philippines, specifically aimed at the dive tour market.

"I wanted the local and foreign divers to experience the true beauty that is freely available in the coral gardens and reefs that inhabit our country’s shores, hence Dive Buddies," he said.

A proud member of the Britannica Internet Guide Award, Dive Buddies is one of the first local websites that offers a guide to diving destinations and sites in the Philippines, with resort listings. Until today, the agency offers free resort listings to promote scuba diving destinations.

Dive Buddies also maintains the only Scuba Tank Hydrotesting Facility in the Philippines solely dedicated to hydrotesting scuba tank cylinders. Tank visual inspections are conducted as per standards set by the Professional Scuba Inspectors, Inc.

Carag’s team was later on joined by the Philippine Kayaking Association, Inc. on a whitewater kayaking tour of the Pinacanauan and Chico Rivers, consequently jumpstarting AEPI’s most exciting feature offering, whitewater rafting.

"It was the marginal note of then Secretary of Tourism Gemma Cruz Araneta that brought the pioneering work of the two environment-friendly sports organizations," relayed Carag. "It was one for our team, one for the Filipino nation."

The triumph of AEPI is best told by the October 2001 Special Travel issue of Outside Magazine, the largest circulated adventure magazine in the US, wherein the Philippines was listed as "one of the 50 coolest and best trips for the year 2001." This came after AEPI invited a photojournalist from the magazine in one of its fluvial navigations.

"As the government emphasizes domestic tourism promotion, there is a real need to stir the interest of Filipinos regarding the richness of options for adventure travel in the country," Carag said. "AEPI is keen to contribute to the groundwork of ensuring the full realization of rafting potentials in the Philippines."

Go Negosyo Turismo is part of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by PCE, which aims at developing entrepreneurship in the country. The expo also aims to encourage a culture of tourism and entrepreneurship, while protecting the environment and benefiting the community.

kiretoce

February 28th, 2007, 05:05 AM

Chinese New Year ushers more tourist arrivals
Tuesday, February 27 2007

The Philippines, as early as January 2007, enjoyed a 20 percent increase in visitors, negating pessimistic projections with this year's Chinese New Year celebration in February, according to Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph Durano.

Durano, who graced the opening of the Davao International Travel, Tours, Leisure and Lifestyle Exhibition here last Friday, said the celebration of Chinese New Year indicated more tourist arrivals with 20 percent to 30 percent increase every celebration.

"With the trend of more visitors coming in even at the first month of the year, I am confident that this year is again another good year," he said.

Davao City he said, gets the piece of a positive year with more new international flights coming in.

He announced the Hong Kong-Davao City route and the Incheon-Davao City route will boost the inbound tourism market of Davao.

"We need to exert in the inbound to also balance the outbound," he said.

He also said the number of travel agencies are growing but with more challenging tasks ahead.

Durano mentioned one of these challenges is the coming election.

"It is incumbent on us to make sure it will not weaken but strengthen our democracy. We need to reinforce the given we have and that we put in mind that elections is not good only for political bickerings," he said.

Meanwhile, Durano said in the Philippine tourism arena, Davao City was named as the newest international destination of the country.

He said the Davao City hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum was still remembered during the recent ATF held in Singapore which opened up a new chapter for the city.

Among others, it opened Davao City to traffic from mainland China where new international flights will be opened soon.

OtAkAw

February 28th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Top 10 Beaches of the World

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2007/feb/16/beach.top10

no. 5 -- Palawan

Wow, thanks sa link. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! Pero actually no. 4 ang Palawan heto ang description nila.

4. Anywhere on Palawan, the Philippines

Although Alex Garland's backpacker odyssey The Beach is set in Thailand, he took much of the inspiration for the location from the Philippines. The reason? As anyone who has been to Thailand in the last decade will tell you, the chances of founding your very own deserted island paradise in a country that has become synonymous with the backpacker superhighway are close to nil. The Philippines, on the other hand has over 7,000 islands, a fraction of the tourists and so many deserted beaches that it's easy to hire a fishing boat, sail off into the sun and create your very own "Beach".

The western island group of Palawan, which even Filipinos describe as their country's last frontier, is inconceivably exotic and tropical. It's an archipelago of jagged limestone islands with underground rivers, rocky coves, virgin rainforest and, of course, sugar-white sandy beaches. Honda Bay, which has several islets including Cannon Island, Bat Island and Starfish Island, is one of the most popular but the fun in Palawan is in discovering your own deserted stretch of sand.

Where to stay: For isolation and some of the best wreck-diving in the world, Sangat Island Reserve. For luxury, El Nido resorts.

crappypants

February 28th, 2007, 07:53 PM

pasay mayor is so inutile and useless.

Trashing tourism
TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS By Babe Romualdez
The Philippine Star 03/01/2007

When one invites visitors to his home, one of the first things a guest notices is how the house is kept – if it is clean, tidy or orderly – a reflection of one’s character. Certainly, when we invite tourists to this country, we would like to put our best foot forward. But how can we invite them and our balikbayan friends and relatives to come home after being away for so many years, if the first thing they see coming from the airport is this polluted estero filled with human waste and all kinds of stinking garbage floating on black murky water along Tramo street in Pasay City?

Several months ago after coming from a long trip abroad, one of the first things I saw was this disgusting Tramo street estero. I was so disgusted I told my driver to stop, got off my car and took a photo of this horrific sight with my digital camera. I then sent the photo to our STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte, who was kind enough to print it on the front page of The Philippine STAR.

The very next day, our friend Environment Secretary Angie Reyes took note of it and immediately resolved the problem. The other day, the same estero was there again drowning in filth. I called Angie Reyes who frankly told me that while it is the DENR that sets policies regarding the environment, the implementation in cleaning up esteros and similar areas is left to the local government.

We can go ahead and suspend Peewee Trinidad and put in Allan Panaligan or whoever as mayor. It’s bad enough we have to breathe shitty air – but come on – let’s make sure somebody does his job and keeps the place clean. Pasay is a premier city where the airport is located, yet the first thing that tourists see is this dirty estero. Maybe it’s time for Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando to be given more powers especially in tourist-belt areas, so tourists are not left with the impression that we are a filthy country with polluted esteros and garbage-filled creeks.

Poor Ace Durano. The coming election has distracted him from his work as tourism secretary, being the administration ticket’s spokesman. He can sing to high heavens about how "wow" the Philippines is. But with this polluted estero, I can assure you – nobody will want to visit this country. Like Hong Kong, people are visiting it less and less because it has now become one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Almost 26 percent of expats have been steadily leaving Hong Kong since 2001 because they could not stand the dirty air. A year ago, a number of participants in a marathon ended up in the hospital because of respiratory problems. Even China is suffering the consequences of pollution, with one of their rivers getting declared as toxic and cancerous. Even with the Beijing Olympics slated in 2008, a big problem for the organizers is to reduce pollution, and they’re trying drastic measures like banning cars and building more public transport systems in a bid to reduce smoke emissions.

We better clean up our act if we want to invite visitors to this country. Otherwise, we’re just fooling ourselves with all the "wow" promos about the Philippines. In the end, we will just be trashing tourism. * * *

tricia782

March 1st, 2007, 05:22 AM

Hi everyone!

Check out this site: http://www.wowpinoy.net/media_gallery.php

It contains several ad campaigns that promote the Philippines as "more than the usual" tourist destination. Just shows that the Department of Tourism is doing a great job in promoting the country.

adverg

March 1st, 2007, 11:32 AM

I agree with crappypants post, we should prioritize cleanliness first in the surroundings. It's just a matter of personal habit and discipline to clean your surroundings. It must start from an individual as an example. No matter how extensive measure we put if we stubborn enough to disobey laws,, everything is useless. Like I said before, just an instinct, if you cannot spit a saliva to the flooring of your office or house, why you can't spit also on public roads or flooring. Cleanliness is the best recipe in our tourism menu to attract tourist....

Insanedriver

March 1st, 2007, 05:17 PM

Lol... i lyk the I-Manila part... so cute

Tornado

March 2nd, 2007, 02:09 PM

i just bought Lp Philippines !! finally got this after taking so long to get this order !!! Palawan !!! dreaming to go there

kiretoce

March 3rd, 2007, 06:36 AM

RP ranks poorly among world's travel spots

Despite having pristine beaches and exotic locales, the Philippines ranks poorly among the world's travel destinations in terms of conduciveness to the development of the local tourism industry, a study by the World Economic Forum revealed.

According to the first WEF Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report released Thursday, the country's poor transport and information communication infrastructure have led the Philippines to be ranked only 86th among the 124 countries worldwide.

"Our study is not a 'beauty contest', or a statement about the attractiveness of a country. [The study] aim to measure the factors that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism industry of individual countries," Jennifer Blanke, Senior Economist of the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Network.

The Switzerland-based research organization said the country scored 3.79 in the overall travel and tourism comptetiveness index. The TTCI measures the factors and policies that make it attractive to develop travel and tourism sector in different countries. The higher the index points of a country, the more conducive it is for the travel and tourism industry.

The Philippines ranked below Asian countries like Malaysia (31st), Korea (42nd), Thailand (43rd) and Indonesia (60th), but is still ahead of Vietnam (87th).

Switzerland was top ranked, scoring 5.66 on the index, followed by Austria and Germany with 5.48 and 5.45, respectively. Included in the top ten are Iceland, United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Luxemburg and United Kingdom.

In terms of regulatory framework, the Philippines scored 3.83 points; business environment and infrastructure, 3.10 and human cultural and natural resources, 4.29.

The WEF computed the scores based on 13 "pillars" of travel and tourism competitiveness. Of the 13 pillars, the country scored better in policy rules and regulations, health and hygiene, human capital, price competitiveness and national tourism perception.

On the other hand, the Philippines scored poor in air transport infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, safety and security, prioritization of travel and tourism and natural and cultural resources.

The survey used a combination of data from publicly available sources, international travel and tourism institutions and experts, as well as the results of the executive opinion survey, a comprehensive annual survey conducted by the WEF.

lumpia

March 5th, 2007, 10:21 PM

sandrn

March 6th, 2007, 03:31 AM

The problem imo is the overwelming amount of negativity many western media agencies portray RP with, sometimes done with a spiteful regularity: low economy, squatters, corruption, terrorism, rebels atbp. It seriously harms foreigners perception of the country, and thus would leave them thinking their only choices were the traditional Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. This only adds to the negative assumptions of agencies (the WEF included) looking for the negatives they set out to search for as opposed to seeing a wider picture. In terms of culprits to this problem, the BBC (which unfortunately in this case is the most followed media agency on earth) has a tremendously negative bias on RP issues: I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a BBC report about the Philippines and felt like chucking the reporter into a lion's den! :lol:

I agree with your observation on BBC being the number one perpetrator of negative reports on the Philippines while over-hyping countries such as China, India and other Asian countries that were former commonwealth of Britain.
I bet the the networks main purpose is to forever paint a negative image of RP to divert the investors attention to take a second look to their former commonwealth states to protect their investments. This keen observation is supported by the relentless travel warning that the British government has been spitting left and right. Well, it's evident that London is one of the most scary cities in the world, terrorists breeding ground of Europe, mail bombers, Polonium contaminated, lots of crazy jack the ripper people with bad teeth.
UK is not worth a visit in my list.

amigo32

March 6th, 2007, 09:53 AM

Ako gusto kong pumunta doon, mag apply as a private nurse sa mga reporters na yun, at painumin ko ng lason! ah mali gayuma pala.:lol:

heathcliff

March 6th, 2007, 09:55 AM

I agree with your observation on BBC being the number one perpetrator of negative reports on the Philippines while over-hyping countries such as China, India and other Asian countries that were former commonwealth of Britain.
I bet the the networks main purpose is to forever paint a negative image of RP to divert the investors attention to take a second look to their former commonwealth states to protect their investments. This keen observation is supported by the relentless travel warning that the British government has been spitting left and right. Well, it's evident that London is one of the most scary cities in the world, terrorists breeding ground of Europe, mail bombers, Polonium contaminated, lots of crazy jack the ripper people with bad teeth.
UK is not worth a visit in my list.

BBC has its own interests in painting a negative picture of the Philippines. It's up to the thousands of Filipinos who work and live abroad to correct the false perceptions of our country propagated by media networks with vested interests. Many of the foreigners who do come to our country in spite of travel advisories go by word of mouth.

OtAkAw

March 6th, 2007, 03:37 PM

RP ranks poorly among world's travel spots

On the other hand, the Philippines scored poor in air transport infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, safety and security, prioritization of travel and tourism and natural and cultural resources.

What a f***ed up report! POOR DAW TAYO SA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES???!!! What the hell were they thinking? Kayang kayang lamunin ng Pilipinas ng buhay ang Switzerland sa aspetong yun ah! Tapos TOP 1 pa sila? ANu bang meron dun sa Switzerland at top-scorer sila? Chocolate????

dinabaw

March 6th, 2007, 03:47 PM

^^ Alps :colgate:

sandrn

March 6th, 2007, 03:52 PM

World Economic Forum (WEF) is not a credible organization at all.
Look how they ranked Indonesia higher than the Philippines.
And of course, they are biased to Switzerland as it is their homebase.

Lili

March 6th, 2007, 10:12 PM

AH-7Raja

March 7th, 2007, 06:27 AM

AH-7Raja

March 7th, 2007, 06:37 AM

Wow, thanks sa link. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! Pero actually no. 4 ang Palawan heto ang description nila.

4. Anywhere on Palawan, the Philippines

Although Alex Garland's backpacker odyssey The Beach is set in Thailand, he took much of the inspiration for the location from the Philippines. The reason? As anyone who has been to Thailand in the last decade will tell you, the chances of founding your very own deserted island paradise in a country that has become synonymous with the backpacker superhighway are close to nil. The Philippines, on the other hand has over 7,000 islands, a fraction of the tourists and so many deserted beaches that it's easy to hire a fishing boat, sail off into the sun and create your very own "Beach".

The western island group of Palawan, which even Filipinos describe as their country's last frontier, is inconceivably exotic and tropical. It's an archipelago of jagged limestone islands with underground rivers, rocky coves, virgin rainforest and, of course, sugar-white sandy beaches. Honda Bay, which has several islets including Cannon Island, Bat Island and Starfish Island, is one of the most popular but the fun in Palawan is in discovering your own deserted stretch of sand.

Where to stay: For isolation and some of the best wreck-diving in the world, Sangat Island Reserve. For luxury, El Nido resorts.

You mean we're 4th! Thats good! I was surprised though that none of thailand's or indonesian beach resorts were included in top 10, but thats really good! We're one of the best talaga, and we should enjoy it! :banana:

AH-7Raja

March 7th, 2007, 06:39 AM

All we need to do are lots of cleaning and more beautification around the airport, while a total relocation of squatters out from manila will be a great idea.

heathcliff

March 7th, 2007, 09:43 AM

Last summer, my wife went home to philippines to pay her last respect for a family member. The only positive thing i heard from her was the new buildings, and LRT, and the rest were negative impressions. From the airport palang, bad trip na, a couple of guards have forced their way to help her on her bagages, and was begging her for money/tips. On her way out from NAIA, puro squatters naman at mga batang naglalantaran at nagtatakbuhay sa tabi ng kalye na walang alalay! She also saw the esteros with tons of waste! And to add her suffering was their unsafe, & undisciplined taxi driver!

It was a total turned-off for her, and she never enjoyed her 1 week stay there.

Kaya next time na uuwi kami pag kasama na ako pati ang aming 2 kids, sa susunod na kung medyo natakpan na ang mga problemang ito sa pinas. Kelan kaya yun?

Aren't we better off helping to make positive changes in the Philippines rather than just waiting for things to happen?

When we go home to the Philippines, we should understand beforehand that we are going home to a poor country, and make lots of allowances for it. Also, we should see how we can contribute to tourism in the place and not begrudge some of our hard-earned dollars to those trying to eke out a living.

If we're just going home to complain about the way things are, then we probably shouldn't be traveling to third world countries.

shadow_can2003

March 7th, 2007, 11:07 AM

Last summer, my wife went home to philippines to pay her last respect for a family member. The only positive thing i heard from her was the new buildings, and LRT, and the rest were negative impressions. From the airport palang, bad trip na, a couple of guards have forced their way to help her on her bagages, and was begging her for money/tips. On her way out from NAIA, puro squatters naman at mga batang naglalantaran at nagtatakbuhay sa tabi ng kalye na walang alalay! She also saw the esteros with tons of waste! And to add her suffering was their unsafe, & undisciplined taxi driver!

It was a total turned-off for her, and she never enjoyed her 1 week stay there.

Kaya next time na uuwi kami pag kasama na ako pati ang aming 2 kids, sa susunod na kung medyo natakpan na ang mga problemang ito sa pinas. Kelan kaya yun?

Your wife should know that the Philippines is not a first world. So what would she expect? Sad to say, talagang ganun na ang mga tao sa NAIA, simple lang naman yan eh, kung gusto mong magbigay then magbigay ka, pero kung ayaw mo may karapatan ka naman na hindi magbigay eh.

Tornado

March 7th, 2007, 02:32 PM

You mean we're 4th! Thats good! I was surprised though that none of thailand's or indonesian beach resorts were included in top 10, but thats really good! We're one of the best talaga, and we should enjoy it! :banana:

it depends who vote it.. depends on the conductor of that reserach.
for example, if the research is conducted in Scandinavian country... no wonder that thailand will be in the top.

and each places has its own uniqueness.. for sure..
Palawan is the last frontier.. the secret jewel,,

I really want to go ... like in Lp Philippines saying about Palawan. Miniloc island area that it is more beautiful than Krabi in Thailand m Halong Vietnam

That's why i am badly want to visit there :)

AH-7Raja

March 7th, 2007, 02:53 PM

it depends who vote it.. depends on the conductor of that reserach.
for example, if the research is conducted in Scandinavian country... no wonder that thailand will be in the top.

and each places has its own uniqueness.. for sure..
Palawan is the last frontier.. the secret jewel,,

I really want to go ... like in Lp Philippines saying about Palawan. Miniloc island area that it is more beautiful than Krabi in Thailand m Halong Vietnam

That's why i am badly want to visit there :)

Same here.

BTW, Philippines' palawan has no longer the world's longest underground river:

Divers claim largest underwater cave

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070306/capt.ffb5e309203f4ddebeb855377c2d30f5.mexico_underwater_cave_mox102.jpg?x=380&y=268&sig=mcbypZZdagZPi.hM8tMnmg--
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070306/ap_on_sc/mexico_underwater_cave

By MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press Writer
Tue Mar 6, 6:09 PM ET

MEXICO CITY - A pair of cave divers said Monday they have found subterranean passages in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula that constitute the world's longest underwater cave system.

British cave diver Steve Bogaerts said he and Robbie Schmittner, of Germany, found flooded underground passages connecting two previously known cave systems — a discovery that shows how interconnected and vulnerable the Yucatan's fabled underground water system is.

Gene Melton, chairman of the Cave Diving Section of the U.S.-based National Speleological Society, a nongovernmental association that tracks cave explorations, confirmed the discovery.

For thousands of years, Mayan Indians depended on water found in the caves and in lakes formed by sinkholes — areas where the caves' ceilings collapsed, opening them to the surface. The lakes dot the Yucatan peninsula, now one of the world's fastest-growing sites for tourism and resort developments.

Bogaerts said his dives proved a connection between the Nohoch Nah Chich caves and the Sac Actun system, which together measure 95 miles in length. That connection shows that many of the seemingly isolated watering holes are part of a single larger system, he said.

The longest previously known submerged cave system is the 91-mile Ox Bel Ha system, located in the same general area, according to documents posted by the Speleological Society on its Web site.

"That's the important thing for people to understand. ... The point is that they're so interconnected," Bogaerts said. "There are so many cave systems that if there's a point of pollution in any one particular area it can spread very extensively throughout the entire system."

Bogaerts and Schmittner spent four years swimming the length of the system, making about 500 dives with scuba tanks, linking one sinkhole lake to the next. Some passages were "big enough for a jumbo jet," while others were so narrow divers had to remove their tanks to wiggle through.

The breakthrough discovery — the passage connecting Nohoch Nah Chich ("The Giant Birdcage" in Maya) and Sac Actun ("White Cave") — was made by the two divers on Jan. 23.

Jonathan Martin, an assistant professor of geology at the University of Florida, said the discovery — which has not yet been published in scientific journals — appeared feasible, based on the geological formations of the Yucatan.

OTHER RELATED STORY:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01286086.htm

"Prior to the discovery, the Palawan underground river in the Philippines and Vietnam's Son Trach River vied for the record as the world's longest."

:)

Lili

March 8th, 2007, 12:47 AM

^^ Is that the same? Is underground river like St. Paul (Palawan) the same as that submerged underwater cave?

AH-7Raja

March 8th, 2007, 06:34 AM

^^ Is that the same? Is underground river like St. Paul (Palawan) the same as that submerged underwater cave?

Apparently they view it as the same. Its just that the one they just discovered in mexico is flooded. To me, it shouldnt be compared with our St. Paul underground river, hell you cant even use a small banca in a submerged tunnel, but what u need there is a submarine. :)

pau_p1

March 8th, 2007, 02:51 PM

I don't think that article compared it with the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River...

underwater caves does not compare with underwater rivers.... since rivers are not equivalent to caves.... IMO

shadow_can2003

March 8th, 2007, 03:05 PM

Ayala Land, Kingdom Hotel in $153M deal

Ayala Land Inc., the Philippines' biggest property firm, and Kingdom Hotel Investments are jointly developing a $153 million upscale hotel complex in Makati.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Ayala Land chief finance officer Jaime Ysmael said the development of the 7,377 square meter property will comprise a 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel and 189 Raffles-branded private residences.

Kingdom Hotel, a hotel and resort investment firm, is chaired by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud

zeejay

March 9th, 2007, 05:19 AM

The program Ambassador’s and Consuls General Tour, designed to attract overseas Filipinos who have not visited the Philippines for many years, to enhance the image of the country as a safe and exciting destination for tourism is doing well abroad, especially in the United States. That program is good for the promotion of our local tourist destinations which would have an impact in our tourism industry.

OtAkAw

March 9th, 2007, 03:03 PM

Animo

March 11th, 2007, 06:44 AM

A delegation from Guam, including GVB Marketing Manager Pilar Laguaña, Marketing Officer II Gina Kono, and the Hafa Adai Show performers led by local entertainers Jesse and Ruby along with a group of cultural dancers, arrived in the Philippines this week to host a Travel Agent Appreciation Reception. The reception was held on Tuesday, March 6 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Manila.

The reception was held to thank the many travel agents who have supported Guam by promoting the island as a premium destination to travelers from the Philippines. While many travelers come to Guam to visit with family, the efforts of these travel agents is very apparent in the 19 percent increase in arrivals to Guam from the Philippines since 2005. GVB will honor travel agents for their exemplary work in promoting Guam and encourage the agents to continue with their outstanding efforts.

Guam has always enjoyed a special relationship with the Philippines.

In addition to geographical proximity, Filipinos make up 26.3 percent of Guam's total population, the second largest ethnic group on the island following Guam's native Chamorros.

Guam and the Philippines share a strong Spanish influence in their respective cultures and over the years, Guam has adopted many of the traditions and values of its Filipino neighbors.

In addition to showing its appreciation to the agents, the GVB also took advantage of the opportunity to share the island's plans for the coming year, which include the opening of new hotels, facilities, and attractions to further entice visitors from the Philippines. One eagerly awaited newcomer is the Sheraton Laguna Resort, a beautiful five star hotel on the Oka Point in Tamuning, overlooking the spectacular Philippine Sea. The Sheraton Laguna Resort will celebrate its Grand Opening in April 2007.

The opening of new hotels and improvements to existing attractions will give Travel Agents more opportunities to promote Guam to clients and the Guam Visitors Bureau believes recognizing the agents for their previous accomplishments is one small way to show its appreciation for a job well done. (PR)

http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=21&newsID=66424

Askal82

March 11th, 2007, 07:35 AM

Last summer, my wife went home to philippines to pay her last respect for a family member. The only positive thing i heard from her was the new buildings, and LRT, and the rest were negative impressions. From the airport palang, bad trip na, a couple of guards have forced their way to help her on her bagages, and was begging her for money/tips. On her way out from NAIA, puro squatters naman at mga batang naglalantaran at nagtatakbuhay sa tabi ng kalye na walang alalay! She also saw the esteros with tons of waste! And to add her suffering was their unsafe, & undisciplined taxi driver!

It was a total turned-off for her, and she never enjoyed her 1 week stay there.

Kaya next time na uuwi kami pag kasama na ako pati ang aming 2 kids, sa susunod na kung medyo natakpan na ang mga problemang ito sa pinas. Kelan kaya yun?

Don't get discouraged by your wife telling you her horrible tales about her vacation back in the Philippines. What can you expect for visiting a third world country? It's all in the attitude. You can have the best travel experience in the Philippines if you are expecting less and learning how to deal with the people over there.

NOVO ECIJANO

March 11th, 2007, 10:07 AM

The problem imo is the overwelming amount of negativity many western media agencies portray RP with, sometimes done with a spiteful regularity: low economy, squatters, corruption, terrorism, rebels atbp. It seriously harms foreigners perception of the country, and thus would leave them thinking their only choices were the traditional Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. This only adds to the negative assumptions of agencies (the WEF included) looking for the negatives they set out to search for as opposed to seeing a wider picture. In terms of culprits to this problem, the BBC (which unfortunately in this case is the most followed media agency on earth) has a tremendously negative bias on RP issues: I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a BBC report about the Philippines and felt like chucking the reporter into a lion's den!

you are right,i was watching a bbc documentary film on terrorism.it features 2 countries indonesia and philippines ang ipinakikita nila sa indonesia ay ang ang business commercial district in indonesia as backdraft and even showing the indonesian guy interviewed driving in pajero.sa pilipinas they show the places like squatters area and the places in south where the people live in shanties_and street where you can see are pedicabs and filthy streets.i dont know why these people hate us.bbc always features countries like india,malaysia,thailand,indonesia in good side.___________
ANhin+dimrunoN+mg+mhl+ssriliN+wik, dig+paN+hyop+ at+mln+sN+is+d.

NOVO ECIJANO

March 11th, 2007, 10:12 AM

The problem imo is the overwelming amount of negativity many western media agencies portray RP with, sometimes done with a spiteful regularity: low economy, squatters, corruption, terrorism, rebels atbp. It seriously harms foreigners perception of the country, and thus would leave them thinking their only choices were the traditional Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. This only adds to the negative assumptions of agencies (the WEF included) looking for the negatives they set out to search for as opposed to seeing a wider picture. In terms of culprits to this problem, the BBC (which unfortunately in this case is the most followed media agency on earth) has a tremendously negative bias on RP issues: I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a BBC report about the Philippines and felt like chucking the reporter into a lion's den!

you are right,i was watching a bbc documentary film on terrorism.it features 2 countries indonesia and philippines ang ipinakikita nila sa indonesia ay ang ang business commercial district in indonesia as backdraft and even showing the indonesian guy interviewed driving in pajero.sa pilipinas they show the places like squatters area and the places in south where the people live in shanties_and street where you can see are pedicabs and filthy streets.i dont know why these people hate us.bbc always features countries like india,malaysia,thailand,indonesia in good side.___________
ANhin+dimrunoN+mg+mhl+ssriliN+wik, dig+paN+hyop+ at+mln+sN+is+d.

OtAkAw

March 11th, 2007, 01:38 PM

^^They're just trying too pull other countries to the lowest possible level so that their beloved UK will not fall any lower. What they're doing to us is what Europe is doing to them, when people go to Europe, chances are sa France, Spain, Italy, Austria and Germany sila pupunta.

DoggMann

March 12th, 2007, 01:06 AM

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=54150

SM unveils mammoth tourism project

Batangas property twice the size of Macau
By Daxim Lucas
Inquirer
Last updated 06:15pm (Mla time) 03/11/2007

SM INVESTMENTS CORP. (SMIC), the holding firm of mall tycoon Henry Sy Sr.,has entered the booming tourism business with a massive real estate development aimed at what the firm says is a "$2-billion sunrise industry."

The listed firm said it would formally launch next week its Hamilo Coast project in Batangas province, which it described as a "one of a kind development."

"This pioneering effort will combine two independently sustainable industries--ecotourism and real estate--to create a groundbreaking developmental force with the potential to put local ecotourism on the global radar [screen] and propel the country forward," the firm said.

In a separate interview, SMIC vice president for investor relations Corazon Guidote said the project would dwarf the Punta Fuego residential resort development, which sits adjacent to the SM property in Nasugbu, Batangas.

"Punta Fuego is 80 hectares," she said. "Hamilo Coast will have a total of 5,800 hectares."

Earlier company statements said that the SM group would initially spend P2 billion for the development.

Guidote said the entire project would be "twice the size of Macau," referring to the Chinese special administrative region that is also a gambling and tourist enclave.

"We think there's a huge potential in the tourism industry," Guidote added.

The SMIC official said that Hamilo Coast would be launched in phases, with the first phase to be unveiled to the public on March 22.

She added that the project would be a mixed-use complex with residential, resort hotel, and retail components.

Other details of the project, like the company's partners and their target market, would be disclosed during the official launch, Guidote said.

The company recently said that it has allotted a total of P20 billion this year for capital expenditures on various projects. It recently borrowed $300 million from foreign and local creditors through five-year convertible bonds to fund its expansion plans.

On the Philippine Stock Exchange, shares of SMIC ended Friday at P350 a share, unchanged from the previous day's level. Trading was heavy with P241.7 million worth of shares changing hands.

nayki

March 12th, 2007, 05:01 PM

e2 pala ung nakita ko sa headline ng Libre kaninang umaga about sa bohol.. :)

Sinjin P.

March 13th, 2007, 12:32 AM

Despite many ‘plus’ factors,
RP ranks low in world tourism
By Jennifer A. Ng
Reporter

TOURISM is not a beauty contest but a hardheaded business objective, the World Economic Forum seems to be saying, as it ranked the Philippines 86th in attractiveness out of 124 countries surveyed.

It said although the country’s strengths lies in ease of acquiring visas, the competitiveness of ticket taxes and airport charges, an educated workforce, and the friendly attitude of nationals to foreign investors, the disadvantages outweigh them all.

And what are these drawbacks? The WEF’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report said these are the limitations in its laws such as foreign ownership restrictions and those governing foreign direct investment, the instability of environmental regulations, and restrictions in hiring foreign labor, and the peace and order problem.

“Our study is not a beauty contest, or a statement about the attractiveness of a country. On the contrary, we aim to measure the factors that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism industry of individual countries,” said Jennifer Blanke, senior economist of the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Network in a statement.

Blanke said the cross-country analysis of the drivers of competitiveness in travel and tourism provides useful comparative information for making business decisions and additional value to governments wishing to improve their travel and tourism environments.

The study, the first for the WEF, also noted the Philippines’ need to improve hotel rooms and increase automated teller machines that accept Visa cards.

Since international tourism as a business necessitates the hiring of expatriates from the home countries of tourism investors or experts such as chefs from countries other than the countries of investment, WEF said among the risk factors that investors face is the high risk of contracting tropical diseases such as malaria.

The report ranked Switzerland, Austria and Germany as having the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry. Others in the top ranks are the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.

The study was based on a combination of data from publicly available sources, international institutions and experts, as well as the results of the Executive Opinion Survey, a companion annual survey, and its network of partner institutes in the countries covered by the report.

The factors and policies considered include policy rules and regulations, environmental regulations, safety and security, health and hygiene, priority ranking in the government of travel and tourism, air transport infrastructure, ground transport infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, information and communications technology infrastructure, price competitiveness, human capital, national tourism perception, and natural and cultural resources

basti

March 22nd, 2007, 01:42 AM

Chinese mogul to invest up to $4B in RP
By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star 03/22/2007
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200703220701.htm

China’s second richest man has decided to invest between $2 billion to $4 billion in the Philippines, primarily to develop high-end hotels and residential properties.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said an agreement between the Shimao Group of China and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) would be signed today to pave the way for the multi-billion dollar investment.

Shimao Group chairman Xu Rongmao, who is listed by Forbes Magazine as the second richest man in China for 2006, personally met with President Arroyo last Tuesday night during which he announced his decision to invest in the country.

Favila revealed that the investment would go into the BCDA properties in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, including the 35.5-hectare Jusmag property.

The group is also in the process of exploring sites in Palawan for an investment into the tourism sector.

He pointed out that a team of the Shimao Group came over to the country last February to look at the possibility of making an investment.

"We met with them. We suggested that now that they have seen what the country has to offer, maybe they should go around and ask the private sector for them to have a good feel of what is in store in the Philippines," Favila said.

During Tuesday’s night meeting, Xu informed the President and Favila that he sees a huge market in the Philippines in terms of hotels.

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations where Chinese tourist arrivals registered at around 10 million, the Philippines hosted only 300,000 of the figure so Favila argued that there is still a huge potential to develop the market.

For Palawan, Mr. Xu said that he is looking at San Vicente where he intends to develop an airstrip.

Malacanang assured Mr. Xu that he has the go signal to develop whatever infrastructure he thinks is needed for his investment.

Under the agreement, the BCDA will be a lessor and according to Favila, the government is willing to provide the Shimao Group the longest term possible.

Mr. Xu also asked about the foreign ownership issue in the country to which Favila pointed out that it is one of the proposed amendments as far as the economic provisions in constitution are concerned.

The Shimao Group is one of the biggest real estate developers in China, whose stock is listed in Hongkong.

Favila noted that the Shimao Group owns three listed companies namely the Shimao Property Hongkong, Shimao Stock, Shanghai and the Shimao International Off-shore in Hongkong.

The firm is involved in the development of high-end residiental and commercial properties and five-star hotels.

It owns hotels in Australia, Russia, China and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Mr. Xu told Favila that the floor area of its development in the country would be around 10 million square meters.

Meanwhile, the RockCheck Steel Group Co. Ltd. of China has also expressed its intention to invest an initial $200-million for the construction of a ferro nickel plant in Eastern Samar.

The company’s chairman Zhang Xiangqing informed the President of his company’s plan to set up the modern nickel plant at the Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) plant site in Manicani, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

"I am determined to bring more investments here in the Philippines. Filipinos are very hardworking, kind and good. I am impressed with your very good government, with your great leadership, it’s very democratic and very hospitable," Zhang told the President during his courtesy call in Malacañang yesterday.

Rockcheck Steel Group, one of China’s top 100 corporations, has a combined steel production of 3.5 million tons with annual sales last year reaching more than 22 billion yuan or $300 billion.

The firm has a total property worth 5.5 billion yuan or $ 700 million and more than 7,000 employees.

Rockcheck Steel has signed an agreement with Fulim Mining and Export Corporation, the exclusive marketing arm of HMC in China, to set up the modern ferro nickel plant at the HMC mining site in Manicani.

Construction will commence on the third quarter of this year and when fully operational, the new plant will employ at least 5,000 local residents.

venntro

March 22nd, 2007, 05:14 AM

There's also the PAGCOR Entertainment City which hopefully would attract 10 million tourists to the Philippines in 5 years.

venntro

March 23rd, 2007, 07:30 AM

More Asian direct flights going to Davao City

By Manuel T. Cayon
Reporter

DAVAO CITY—Silk Air and Asian Spirit would either open or add new international flights to this southeastern Mindanao seaport in what local tourism officials and tour operators hoped would send wider signal to at least the Asian regional airlines to try the southern Philippine destinations.

The twin moves of these airline companies were on top of continued familiarization or chartered flights from other Asian capitals, including a large tour from China.

Gian Carlo M. Caguiat, Mindanao manager for sales of Silk Air, said that it would add one direct Davao City-Singapore flight, increasing the direct flight weekly to four. The airline company operates daily flight on this route, with three of them still on a stopover flight in Cebu City. The additional direct flight would be started by May this year.

The decision was made on its 10th year of operating the Davao City-Singapore route that saw increasing occupancy rate of its 142-seater Airbus 320.

Within the last three years alone, the airline company carried 18,677 passengers, both inbound and outgoing, in 2004 that increased to 24,769 by last year. The Silk Air is one of six airline companies serving direct and connecting flights to Asian destinations.

Asian Spirit, on the other hand, would launch next month, on April 14, its nonstop flight on the Davao City-Incheon, South Korea route, according to Rhaine Kang of the I Love Golf (ILG) Inc.

Jacob Yuk, also of ILG Inc., said the route would be tested by a group of 60 Korean golfers from Incheon, which would take the Incheon-Clark-Davao extended flight. He said the golfers would come here on Saturday for a three-day tour and rounds of golf games in exclusive golf courses here.

Wanda Teo of the National Association of Independent Travel Agents also announced on a recent launching of a tourism project promoting this city that another new airline was already applying for the Hong Kong-Davao City route and would begin operation by either late May or early June this year. She did not name yet the airline but said the company would fly the Thursday and Sunday time slot using the 164-seater Boeing 737.

Other reported flights to Davao City, but mostly on extended trips to their national capitals to Clark airport in Pampanga, appeared to have conked out after Frederick San Felix, manager of the Air Transportation Office here, said that there were no applications filed so far with the Civil Aeronautics Board for the Davao route.

Sonia Garcia, director of the Department of Tourism for the Davao Region, said that Air Macau, which announced a December 2006 launching of its flight and had put up an office, said that its application was still being worked out. The flight would connect this city to the historically known trading port of Macau in China.

She said that travel and tour operators here have already positioned themselves for a wider link with counterparts in China in preparation for the expected mammoth attendance in the Beijing Olympic Games next year.

“We want to have those visitors there, even a little percent, to visit us here direct to Davao and we want our travel and tour companies here to prepare for it,” she said.

Silk Air’s Caguiat said that his company was already approached by a group of travelers and tourists from China “asking for a familiarization tour” to Davao City.

“We hope that we could generate a lot of interest from other foreign airline companies to make Davao its alternative destinations too,” Garcia said. Her office, has also launched the Gateway Davao, a localized promotion campaign to increase interest in using the Davao Airport for, at least, their departure area to whichever domestic or foreign destination

TheAvenger

March 24th, 2007, 12:38 AM

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Panglao.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Panglao1.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Panglao2.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Panglao3.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s307/jaime_makabayan_2007/Alona_home-Panglao.jpg

TheAvenger

March 24th, 2007, 06:01 PM

Panglao Nature Reserves

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/Alona_home-Panglao.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/Panglao4.jpg

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=56469

Arroyo now into selling Philippine shores?

InquirerLast updated 01:02am (Mla time) 03/23/2007

I am outraged beyond words by the news report that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo views with so much elation the imminent sale of a chunk of Panglao Island in Bohol province to a Saudi Arabian royal family. (Inquirer, 3/12/07)

Has the President gone mad? For as long as the 1987 Constitution is not amended or revised, its “National Patrimony” provisions remain in force and effect. Evidently, the President has given us another tangible reason to oppose her (reactionary) regime. The sale will deprive small fishermen and their families of their homes and access to food and livelihood.

Of course, Arroyo's brilliant and shrewd legal yeomen will find ways to manipulate the National Patrimony provisions -- perhaps, through a joint-venture agreement with Filipino corporations. But in reality, the latter will just be used as dummies of the foreign buyer.

It goes without saying that Arroyo does not consider the very poor communities that will be affected by the sale. At the rate she is going, soon enough the Philippines will no longer belong to Filipinos, and more and more of our countrymen will be rendered landless and homeless in their very own homeland.

Of course, it is no secret that the Arroyo administration has been a staunch advocate of the exploration and exploitation of the country’s natural resources. This is clear from the continuously increasing presence of large-scale foreign mining concessions in the country. Anyway, common decency, or "delicadeza," dictates that Arroyo should not be bragging about the outright sale of public lands to foreigners, as she is doing now in the case of Panglao Island.

Encouraging the sale of public lands to aliens has the most serious, if not despicable, implications. By doing it, Arroyo is in effect making a public invitation for foreigners to bid for the rest of the country’s shores, virgin forests (or at least whatever is left after mining) and islands.

ANGELISA L. RAZO, 22B Aala Building, Iñigo Street, Davao City

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/panlao-beach-front.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/Panglao5-1.jpg

Pls read the original in the below weblink :
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=56469

.

Insanedriver

March 24th, 2007, 06:23 PM

^^ WTF!!!!

Espma

March 25th, 2007, 02:40 AM

I find that article odd..I think she's clearly against GMA, LOL and damn can she be more over dramatic???

"At the rate she is going, soon enough the Philippines will no longer belong to Filipinos, and more and more of our countrymen will be rendered landless and homeless in their very own homeland."

It's not like those foreigners will take those land back to their country, clearly a very Xenophobic author.

JustHorace

March 25th, 2007, 07:57 AM

^^Yeah, Inquirer and ABS-CBN reports are like that! There's no credibility left in them.

Good thing Panglao's getting a Raffles-branded resort...thanks to the Saudi royals!

OtAkAw

March 25th, 2007, 08:18 AM

Nako pupuntahan ko tong writer na to at pagsasabihan siya!

ANGELISA L. RAZO, 22B Aala Building, Iñigo Street, Davao City

It's a good thing investors are interested in setting up world-class resorts in Bohol! That's one way para yumaman na tayo! Bat di kaya yang Angelis Razo na yan ang magtayo ng Raffles Hotel sa Panglao bago siya magsabi-sabi. Hay nako.

nayki

March 25th, 2007, 11:12 AM

Nakakatawa sha kasi d nya alam sinasabi nya..:lol:

venntro

March 26th, 2007, 06:42 AM

More tourists in Metro, but for shorter staysBy MAYEN JAYMALIN
The Philippine Star

More tourists came to Metro Manila for the month of January this year compared to the same period in 2005 but stayed for a shorter time, according to records from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DOT data showed that 272,525 foreign visitors were recorded this January, a 1.4 percent increase compared to 268,818 international arrivals for the same period last year.

The average occupancy rate in Metro Manila hotels went up to 75.74 percent last January from 75.42 percent. First-class hotels registered the highest occupancy rate of 80.44 percent, followed by deluxe hotels at 75.83 percent while standard hotels registered 74.64 percent occupancy.

Hotels in Pasay City or those near the airport posted an 88.36 occupancy rate while those in Makati, Pasig and Mandaluyong had a 78.45 percent occupancy rate.

DOT records, however, showed that hotel guests’ overall average length of stay was 2.51 nights, which is 9.7 percent lower than the 2.78 nights spent by travelers a year ago.

Most of the tourists who flocked to Metro Manila are South Koreans, followed by those from the United States and Japan.

Other countries whose nationals choose the Philippines as a destination are China, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

shadow_can2003

March 26th, 2007, 01:31 PM

^^^ To lure more tourist, i think it's time now to put advertisement on the major TV network.

Espma

March 26th, 2007, 03:02 PM

Source: Asia Properties, Inc.

Asia Properties Targets Philippine Islands Acquisition
BELLINGHAM, Wash., March 26, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) (PRIMEZONE) -- Asia Properties, Inc. (Pink Sheets:ASPZ) announced today it has targeted a major island acquisition in the Philippines islands.

Asia Properties CEO, Daniel McKinney said, "I have been spending most of my time in the Philippines since early last year examining beach sites, retaining lawyers and conducting due diligence. We have now targeted several world-class island sites and have been negotiating with the current owners since mid 2006. We plan a shift of our major focus from Thailand to the Philippines as we feel the investment environment and opportunities are even better there. Our planned acquisition in the Philippines will be the largest investment and single most important transaction in the history of API. We have already moved the necessary cash and assets into the Philippines to complete the purchase in anticipation of this procurement. This deal will transform API from a seller of villas and homes into a major player in the resort developer arena in the region. Becoming the owner of prime beach and island land to develop 5 star resorts has been our goal for many years."

Please see: http://www.asiaprop.com/palawan-island/imperial-beach.html

McKinney also stated, "This first acquisition that we are currently negotiating to acquire is 100 hectares (approx. 250 acres) which includes three pristine white sandy beaches. We consider the Philippines far more picturesque and scenic and a much better value than beach sites in nearby countries. Two of the pristine secluded white sand beaches are over one kilometer in length. API's goal is to develop several 5-6 star resorts with major international hotel brands managing the resorts and we are in discussions with several at this time."

About Asia Properties, Inc.: Asia Properties, Inc. was established to invest in resorts and prime real estate in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Asia Properties currently operates as the only listed U.S. public company focusing on S.E. Asian real estate investments, where investors can invest in Asian real estate and hold the investment in the form of a security trading on a U.S. securities market. API is a Nevada corporation and trades on the Pink Sheets under the symbol "ASPZ." There are currently 9,829,028 fully diluted shares consisting of 3,213,601 free trading and 6,605,427 restricted. The transfer agent is Computershare, Inc. of Golden, Colorado.

nayki

March 26th, 2007, 04:32 PM

^^Wow! :banana:

TheAvenger

March 27th, 2007, 07:34 PM

^^Wow! :banana:[/QUOTE]

Asia Properties Targets Philippine Islands Acquisition

I thought they were only investing but now the word acquisition is used which means buying our lands.

kayong mga Elitista ang gusto nyo lang ay ibenta ang Pilipinas sa mga foreigners .......

TheAvenger

March 27th, 2007, 07:37 PM

^^Wow! :banana:

WOW ......... THE PHILIPPINES IS FOR SALE

:bash: :bash: :bash: :nuts: :nuts:

tisoycuba

March 27th, 2007, 11:44 PM

WOW ......... THE PHILIPPINES IS FOR SALE

:bash: :bash: :bash: :nuts: :nuts:

hindi for sale ang pilipinas bro,nang invite nang mga foreign investor.. hindi kayu nakakaintindi bro.punta kayu dto sa bahamas halos foriegner ang investor dto . kaya nga dami mga ibang tao galing sa ibang bansa work dto.. o kaya sa cayman island pasyal kayu para malaman ninyu ang kahulogan nang foreigner investor bakit dyan sa clark at subic halos lahat nang mga negusyu sa pinas ay foreigner ang may ari .. :cheers: :cheers: hala pasyla na lang kayu dto sa orlando buti:lol:

TheAvenger

March 28th, 2007, 01:57 AM

Of course foreigners is very much welcome and their setting up of businesses here in the Philippines will provide jobs and improve our economy.

But foreign investment does not mean they have to own completely the lands / real properties their businesses is set up. In the constitution foreign corporations is allowed only to own 40 percent of the land while the 60 percent should be own by Filipino citizen partner. What is wrong is if the Pinoy owning the 60 percent share in their corporations is their own dummy.

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/index.cfm?GPID=110

Land Ownership by Foreigners/Former Filipino Citizens

Foreigners Owning Philippine Land

Only Filipino citizens and corporations and associations at least 60% of whose capital is owned by Filipinos may acquire private lands.

Foreigners are allowed to purchase a condominium unit, provided that total foreign ownership of the condominium corporation does not exceed 40 %. They may also inherit real property from their deceased Filipino spouses or parents.

Children born to a Filipino parent, whether legitimate or illegitimate, may inherit the property of the Filipino parent, even if the child is not a Filipino citizen

Filipinos who lost their Filipino citizenship will remain the owners of any property they have acquired before changing nationalities. On the other hand, a natural-born Filipino citizen who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private land, subject to the following limitations and conditions:

Land Ownership by Former Filipinos in the Philippines

Natural-born Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship are entitled to own or acquire lands in the Philippines.

Article XII, Section 8, of the Philippine Constitution provides that a natural born citizens of the Philippines who has lost his or her Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private lands, subject to limitations provided by law.

Section 7 of the same Article entitles former Filipinos to own and acquire lands through hereditary succession, i.e. by virtue of inheritance.

GOVERNING LAWS ON LAND OWNERSHIP BY FORMER FILIPINOS

The laws on land ownership by natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship are governed by Batas Pambansa Blg. 185 (BP 185), which was enacted in March 1982, and Republic Act 8179 (RA 8179), which amended the Foreign Investment Act of 1991.

BP 185 stipulates the guidelines on land ownership by former Filipinos for purposes of establishment of residence while RA 8179 (Section 10) specifies entitlements and conditions for land acquisition for investment purposes. The acquisition or transfer of private lands refers to either voluntary or involuntary sale, devise or donation. Involuntary sales include sales on tax delinquency, foreclosures, and execution of judgment.

The following are the provisions of BP 185 and RA 7042, as amended by RA 8179, pertinent to land ownership by former Filipinos:

PARTICULARS
PROVISIONS UNDER BP 185 (Applies to acquisition of land for purposes of residence)
PROVISIONS UNDER RA 7042 AS AMENDED BY RA 8179 (Applies to acquisition of land for purposes of business or commerce)

Size/Area Coverage Maximum of 1000 sq. meters for urban land
Maximum of one (1) hectare for rural land
Maximum of 5000 sq. meters for urban land
Maximum of three (3) hectares for rural land

Land Acquisition for Both Spouses Either of the spouses may avail of this privilege
In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purposes, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum
Either of the spouses may avail of this privilege
In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purposes, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum

Additional Land Acquisition In case he/she already owns urban or rural lands for residential purposes, he/she may acquire additional urban or rural lands, which when added to those he/she presently owns shall not exceed the authorized maximum area. In case he /she already owns urban or rural lands for business purposes, he/she may acquire additional urban or rural lands which when added to those he/she presently owns shall not exceed the authorized maximum area.
Limits to Acquisition of Land
A person may acquire not more than two (2) lots which should be situated in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines, provided that the total area of those lots do not exceed 1,000 sq. meters for urban land or one (1) hectare for rural land for use as residence.
An individual who has already acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa.
A person may acquire not more than two (2) lots which should be situated in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines, provided that the total area of those lots do not exceed 5,000 sq. meters for urban land or three (3) hectares for rural land for use as residence.
Under Section 4 of Rule XII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 704 as amended by RA 8179, a transferee who has already acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa. However, if the transferee has disposed of his rural land, he may still acquire rural land and vice versa, provided that this will be used for business.
A transferee of residential land acquired under Batas Pambansa Blg. 185 may still avail fo the privilege granted under this law.

Use of Land The acquired land should not be used for any purpose other than for his/her residence Section 5 of RUle XII specifically states that "the land should be primarily, directly and actually used in the performance or conduct of the owner's business or commercial activities in the broad areas of agriculture, industry and services including the lease of land but exluding the buying or selling thereof.

Sepcial Requirements In addition to the requirements provided for in other laws for the registration of titles to lands, the transferee should submit to the Register of Deeds of the province or city where the property is located a sworn statement showing the following:

Date and place of birth
Names and addresses of his/her parents, his/her spouse, and children, if any;
The area, location, and mode of acquisition of his/her landholdings in the Philippines, if any;
His/her intention to reside permanently in the Philippines;
Date he/she lost his/her Philippine citizenship and the country of which hw/she is presently a citizen.
In addition to the usual registration requirements pertinent to the conveyance of real estate, the transfer contemplated shall not be recorded unless the transferee submits to the Registry of Deeds of the province or city where the land is situated, the following:

Certification of business registration issued by the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection of the Department of Trade and Industry;
Sworn statement same as that in BP 185;
Certification from the assessor of the municipality or province where the prpoerty is situated that the subject land for transfer is in an urban or rural area;
If an agricultural land is acquired, a certification from the Department of Agrarian Reform that the land is a retained area of the transferor and an affidavit of the transferee attesting that his total landholdings inclusive of the land to be acquired does not exceed the 5-hectare limit fixed by RA 6657 (the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act - CARP).

Pls read other links :

http://www.investph.com/forums/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=61

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/expat-section/owning-land-property-foreigner-470.html

http://www.atayala.com/information.php?infoid=3

venntro

March 28th, 2007, 08:26 AM

Asia Properties CEO, Daniel McKinney said, "I have been spending most of my time in the Philippines since early last year examining beach sites, retaining lawyers and conducting due diligence. We have now targeted several world-class island sites and have been negotiating with the current owners since mid 2006. We plan a shift of our major focus from Thailand to the Philippines as we feel the investment environment and opportunities are even better there. Our planned acquisition in the Philippines will be the largest investment and single most important transaction in the history of API. We have already moved the necessary cash and assets into the Philippines to complete the purchase in anticipation of this procurement. This deal will transform API from a seller of villas and homes into a major player in the resort developer arena in the region. Becoming the owner of prime beach and island land to develop 5 star resorts has been our goal for many years."

Bring 'em on. Biases aside, I really believe that the Philippines can offer more than Thailand. We are an archipelago so there are potentially more beaches to develop plus we have the English language proficiency which the Thais don't possess. What are the potential sites and how much will be the investments?

NOVO ECIJANO

March 28th, 2007, 08:57 AM

Bring 'em on. Biases aside, I really believe that the Philippines can offer more than Thailand. We are an archipelago so there are potentially more beaches to develop plus we have the English language proficiency which the Thais don't possess. What are the potential sites and how much will be the investments?

if thailand has phuket the phillipines has 1000 phukets,we can help promote our tourism industry by posting our tourist sites in internet...

venntro

March 28th, 2007, 09:38 AM

^^ I totally agree. But Boracay is better than Phuket especially after the tsunami. We have to do our part in promoting the country to foreigners.

Sinjin P.

March 31st, 2007, 02:22 PM

I got this from a DOT Powerpoint Presentation:

Regional Brandings

NCR - “GATEWAY TO THE PHILIPPINES”
“SHOPPING CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES”
“CONVERGENCE OF CULTURE”

CAR - “THE WATERSHED OF THE PHILIPPINES”

Region I - “MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE”

Region II - “WHERE ADVENTURE NEVER ENDS”

Region III - “A WELLSPRING OF DIVERSITY”

Region IV (A and B) - “THE GREAT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE”
CULTURE, ADVENTURE, NATURE DESTINATION"

Region V - “GAYON BICOL”

Region VI - “WE’VE GOT WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR”

Region VII - “RESORT AND HERITAGE DESTINATION”

Region VIII - “HISTORY, CULTURE AND ADVENTURE”

Region IX - “ DIADEM OF THE PHILIPPINE SOUTH”

Region X - “SPLENDORS OF NORTHERN MINDANAO”

Region XI - “ISLAND TO HIGHLAND DESTINATION DAVAO”

Region XII - “CULTURAL TREASURES OF SOUTH CENTRAL
MINDANAO”

Region XIII- “ADVENTURE CARAGA”

Sinjin P.

March 31st, 2007, 02:25 PM

Profile of Philippine Visitors, 2005

Out of the total 2,623,084 visitors 2,586,367 or 98.60% came to the country by air

NAIA = 2,198,180 or 83.80%
Mactan = 275,284 or 10.49%
Clark = 52,678 or 2.01%
Laoag = 30,305 or 1.16%
Subic = 23,229 or 0.89%
Davao = 6,332 or 0.24%
Zamboanga = 355 or 0.01%

Sinjin P.

March 31st, 2007, 02:28 PM

Regional Statistics

Top Five Regional Destinations of Foreign Tourists for 2005
1. Region VII - 454,003
2. Region IV - 299,265
3. Region VI - 217,212
4. Region III - 146,835
5. Region XI - 61,432

Top Five Regional Destinations of Domestic Tourists for 2005
1. Region IV - 6,338,782
2. Region VI - 1,135,812
3. Region VII - 1,001,421
4. CAR - 789,268
5. Region X - 674,425

Where did the North Americans go in 2005?
1. Region VII - 55,530
2. Region III - 44,748
3. Region VI - 28,598
4. Region IV - 17,746
5. Region XI - 16,609

Where did the Europeans go in 2005?
1. Region VII - 45,698
2. Region VI - 32,499
3. CAR - 20,995
4. Region IV - 19,580
5. Region III - 8,312

Where did the East Asians go in 2005?
1. Region VII - 306,087
2. Region VI - 135,337
3. Region III - 66,275
4. Region IV - 36,985
5. Region XI - 25,656

Sinjin P.

March 31st, 2007, 02:31 PM

Tourism Campaigns

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/4347/philtourismsg7.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7140/philtourism2za5.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/905/philtourism3gh5.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/1127/philtourism4ra6.jpg

Askal82

March 31st, 2007, 09:20 PM

if thailand has phuket the phillipines has 1000 phukets,we can help promote our tourism industry by posting our tourist sites in internet...

I think way more than that. :lol:

OtAkAw

April 1st, 2007, 08:38 AM

nayki

April 1st, 2007, 08:51 AM

WOW ......... THE PHILIPPINES IS FOR SALE

:bash: :bash: :bash: :nuts: :nuts:

Sobra ka nman...d for sale ang Pilipinas,
d naman ibig sabihin na nakalagay dun sa article na bibili sila ng lupa d2 eh sa kanila na un ng buong-buo. Alam nmn nating pinagba2wal d2 un. Understood na un na my business partner sila d2 na Pinoy nho, d naman lahat ng detalye andun sa article.

Bosnyboy

April 1st, 2007, 12:22 PM

nayki

April 1st, 2007, 03:15 PM

^^Napanood ko din un, sa Jesica Soho Report... Oo nga ang ganda at ang peaceful nung place....

TheAvenger

April 1st, 2007, 07:01 PM

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/grotto.jpg

Askal82

April 1st, 2007, 09:33 PM

^^Me too. Especially because I think that Thailand has already exposed much of its cultural and natural treasures for the tourists' consumption. Unlike us, even Filipinos don't know that such beautiful scenes exist here. even I didn't know that there are limestone cliffs ala El Nido/Phi Phi in Caramoan and Coron nor did I know that a Church of Italianate appeal stands in Morong, Rizal. What more if we publicized and developed the secrets that we have in this country, who knows?

Phuket at phiphi marami rin sa Pilipinas nyan, buti lang mas kilala ang Talipandas dyan, kumbaga damage control. At least hindi kilala ang Sexmoan :) :lol:

I do hope that Philippines will develop more on ecological tourism similar to Galapagos Islands National Park in Ecuador.

pau_p1

April 2nd, 2007, 01:09 AM

Saw this program yesterday on ch 7. They featured several beaches in the country. In one segment they featured pagudpod in ilocos norte. The host sed its the boracay of the north sans the multitude of people. Really serene. Also featured there is an old lighthouse over a hundred years old. It also sed that the paint used were from natural materials, siguro wala pang commercial paints dun. One caucasian tourist cant help but exclaimed how beautiful the light house is. He admired the achitecture and was pleasantly surprised that it is over a century old and still working. The place indeed looks very romantic.

Yeah.. it was Jessica Soho Reports... they featured beaches in Ilocos, Bicol and Cebu...

First was the Boracay-like beach of Carimoan, Camarines Sur... it's an island of the coast of Camarines Sur.. quite an exclusive island because they only allow 18 visitors at a time..... Of course they also feature the new Xtreme Sports park.. the CamSur Wakeboarding resort which will be the site of the World Wakeboarding Competition this year I think... they also featured the Bacon Geothermal park where there is this boiling lake beside a cool lake...

Second was the Boracay of the North which is Pagudpod.... before it was featured in the show.. it has been sites for shooting films by Reyna Films (Siguion-Reyna's)... it is indeed beautiful... they also showed this Hispanic lighthouse made of egg yolk and honey... I think they used them instead of cement...

Last was this beach at the southern tip of Cebu... I forgot the name of the place though..

pau_p1

April 2nd, 2007, 01:13 AM

Oh.. another thing.. if you have seen the new commercial of Dawn Zulueta for Ph Care.... they shot the commercial in Batanes... the place really looks very scenic!

basti

April 3rd, 2007, 03:41 AM

World's Best Beaches
as voted by Yahoo users

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2. Miami, Florida
3. Cancun, Mexico
4. Kaanapali, Hawaii
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
6. San Diego, California
7. Boracay Island, Philippines
8. Key West, Florida
9. Sydney, Australia
10. Santa Barbara, California

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-13243343;_ylt=ApeXw4sQewkk1zJg6TtLGpOhpYMA

basti

April 3rd, 2007, 03:56 AM

It's very interesting while reading in Yahoo Travel the reviews of foreign visitors to Manila, they rated their visit high because how Filipinos are the nicest and friendliest people they have met. (Weren't we voted as one of the happiest people on Earth??? I thought I read that somewhere)

Just proves that it's not all about glamour and how grand a place is. This can be boring for some (or for most) visitors. Some may show how glamourous a location can be, but in truth they lack warmth, and sincere hospitality.

Kulang na lang ng disiplina pagdating sa mga kalat-kalat hehe

TheAvenger

April 3rd, 2007, 03:57 AM

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=382986&page=6

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/new...ticle_id=57862

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 06:45pm (Mla time) 03/30/2007

PAGASA ISLAND, Kalayaan, Philippines -- The military has released P31 million for the rehabilitation of the air strip here located in the disputed Spratlys chain in the South China Sea, which officials want to develop as a tourist spot.

The amount is enough only for the eastern portion of the air strip and additional funding is needed for the western part, Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said in an interview with reporters here.

"We released funds already for the repair of the runway… The air strip itself needs improvement. We will see how we can source additional funds," said Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Once he returns to Manila late Friday, Ebdane said he would "find a way" to secure funding for the project.

The rehabilitation of the eastern portion of the air strip will take between four and five months, said Major General Bob Regala of the Air Force Engineering Wing, whom Esperon had tasked to oversee the project.

Rear Admiral Tirso Danga, commander of the Armed Forces Western Command, said some investors have approached him about the idea of developing the island into a diving site for tourists.

"There are proposals from some entrepreneurs to develop resorts here to entice Filipinos [to visit]. [The development] is also part of national patrimony," Danga said.

"We can have a diving resort here, fishing also. You can see the white sand beach is very beautiful," Danga said, adding, "This [island] is ours. It's ours. We might as well develop it."

The reported oil-rich Spratlys are being claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Edbane and Esperon were here Thursday to turn over a P13-million potable water machine, which the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) had donated.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/pagasaairstrip.gif

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/Thitu-PagasaIsland.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/jibrael_2007/smart_philstar-1.jpg

Pls see the Thread - Spratly off the coast of Palawan

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=382986&page=6

.

Kaze

April 3rd, 2007, 06:15 AM

Saudi Prince invests $ 153 M in ALI’s new hotel project

By JAMES A. LOYOLA

Dubai-based Kingdom Hotel Investments’ $ 153 million (P7.4 billion) in the joint venture with Ayala Land Inc. will kick off the massive redevelopment of Ayala Center with the construction of one of the most expensive and most luxurious hotels in the country.

The joint venture will develop a 7,377-square meter property along Makati Avenue corner Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) into a luxury hotel complex comprised of a 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel, and 189 Raffles branded private residences.

His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, member of the Saudi Royal family and the founder, majority shareholder, and chairman of KHI, visited the Philippines last night to formalize the joint partnership between his company with ALI.

The Prince headed a 40-member delegation and received an economic briefing from the economic cluster of the Cabinet, namely Trade secretary Peter Favila, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr.

ALI’s top officials led by Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and President Jaime Ayala met with the Prince who also paid a call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacanang.

"Makati continues to establish itself as the leading business destination in the Philippines and we are delighted to partner with Ayala Land, one of Asia’s most respected and established developers," said Prince.

KHI chief executive officer Sarmad Zok added that "Fairmont Makati Hotel and Raffles Suites and residences will enable KHI to generate attractive returns by combining a significant amount of branded residential development with premium hotel brands."

ALI president Jaime Ayala said the project "will capitalize of the growing demand for luxury accommodations in the region" adding that "the Philippines has become one of the fastest growing tourism and travel markets in Asia."

He noted that there has been no premium hotel constructed in decades within and outside the Makati central business district even though occupancy levels have been steadily increasing.

"The proposed luxury hotel complex aims to prime the Glorietta 1 redevelopment based on a masterplan for redeveloping Ayala Center. The masterplan for Ayala Center redevelopment aims to increase overall density and improving circulation of this premier regional shopping center, while unlocking the value of this asset," Ayala said.

He said Park Square 2 will be demolished to give way to this redevelopment and ALI has started construction of a new parking parking building between Landmark and Shangrila Hotel which will be operational by the fourth quarter.

Ayala said arrangements are also being made for the relocation of the tenants while they are currently studying options for a new terminal for public utility vehicles as the hotel complex will occupy the space of the current PUV terminal.

He said the project will begin construction early next year and is estimated to be completed within three years. The turnover of the property will be on November 2007.

KHI’s objectives are to develop, acquire, finance and actively manage high quality hotels in key city and resort destinations in the Middle East, Africa and in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Due to its industry focus and diversified investment portfolio, KHI is a prominent hospitality related private equity company with an underlying portfolio consisting of 33 hotels, of which 19 are operational and 14 under development.

KHI enjoys strategic partnerships with leading global hotel operators: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Raffles Hotels and Resorts, and Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts.

Prince Alwaleed has real estate ownership interests in hotel and resort properties throughout the world and has significant equity investments in leading international hotel management companies.

These are Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Raffles Hotels and Resorts, and Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts, which manage hotels throughout the world.

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2007040391061.html