Affiliates
Contact Us
Century International Hotels
TravelSmart.NET

PHILIPPINES
HONG KONG
CANADA
EUROPE
USA
INDONESIA
SINGAPORE
THAILAND


THE WEBSITE
Philippines

TOURISM One of RP’s brighter options (1/2)
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: By Lynda B. Valencia
Date: 2004-10-15
 
Tourism is one of the Philippines’ brightest options to bail it out from its financial straightjacket. It has always been a potential and it has now become one of Southeast Asia’s major dollar earners.





There are a lot of things positively going for Philippine tourism. For one, tourism becomes Filipinos who are natural tourism assets themselves. They are warm and hospitable and are largely at home with English, the world’s language of business.



Their being largely Christians also gives them instant affinity with Christians from Europe and the Americas, the country’s traditional tourism markets.



The Philippines is never short of natural attractions, which are among the best. Centuries of foreign rule has enriched its history and culture, which are now reflected in a wealth of historical sites and cultural festivals.



Some of the major tourism destinations which receive more foreign visitors as well as those that show great potentials have designated as priority areas the government has programmed for more intensive tourism promotion and infrastructure development.



Clustered into eight tourism complexes, these places include Clark-Subic, Metro Manila-Tagaytay, the Cordilleras, Ilocos, Cebu-Bohol- Siargao, Northern Palawan, Boracay, and Davao.



Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said the plan to fasttrack the promotion of “the big eight” has earlier been identified in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s 10-point “legacy agenda.”



Durano said the country’s identified target tourist market are Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong for the short haul, and North America, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and France for the long haul.



“North Asia is the priority target market in the short and medium term, China in particular, will be our biggest market. There are over 20 million Chinese tourists. Of that, only 0.2 percent came to the Philippines,” Durano said. Next year, he added, “will be the banner year for China tourism.”



The period, he said, begins in February 2005 with the Chinese New Year followed by summer in May, and October for the Double Ten celebration – the three windows of the year and three week-long holidays “when we can bring in as many Chinese tourists as possible.”



This year, DoT targeted 2.5 million tourists. This figure is projected to double to five million in five years or by 2010. The five million tourist arrivals will translate into more revenues for the country.

“Assuming each visitor spends at least US$1,000 here, then that’s as much as the $6 billion to $8 billion in Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) remittances that have been propping up the economy for years,” Durano said.



Tourist arrivals rose 32.4 percent to 1,140,517 in January to June this year, from 861,643 in the same period last year. Americans remain as the top visitors of the country, with 252, 612 arriving within the first six months, followed by visitors from Japan (184, 223), Korea (179,071), Hong Kong (82,617) and Taiwan (58,447).



The beaches and dive sites of Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, Palawan and Boracay are frequented by Koreans and Japanese. Laoag and Vigan are favorite destinations of the Taiwanese because of its proximity to Taipei and the availability of direct flightsbetween Kaoshiung and Taipei, and Laoag International Airport, aside from the various natural, cultural and historical attractions.



Mainland Chinese, on the other hand, prefer entertainment centers like casinos, and world-class business and investment facilities and opportunities being offered by Manila, Tagaytay, Clark, and Subic.



Cebu City, known as the “Queen City of the south, is the springboard of tourism in the Visayas, and area’s center of business and trade. One of its major attractions is the cross planted by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on April 14, 1521



The 1.268 haystack mounds popularly known as the Chocolate Hills are the main attraction ofBohol. Also of special interest is the tarsier, the smallest primate found only in the province.



Siargao in northeastern Mindanao is Asia’s “surfers’ paradise.” Located there is the so-called “Cloud Nine” which is the best known surfing break. Siargao enjoys the world reputation of being on the “Top Surfing Waves.”



Metro Manila is the gateway to the “magical islands” of the Philippines. It combines the rhythmic cadence of the horse-drawn calesas with the pulsating beat of dazzling nightlife, high-tension discos, bars, restaurants and 24-hour diners.



Palawan is known as the Philippines’ last frontier. It has perfect spots for swimming, scuba diving and other water sports. El Nido Beach is still the loveliest place where to commune with unspoiled nature’sbeauty.



Boracay remains the favorite and number one tourist destination in the country. Its seemingly endless stretch of fine white sand beaches, clear blue waters and serenity are alluring characteristics of the island that attract many visitors from all over the world.



In the Cordilleras, one can enjoy going to Baguio City, the Philippines summer capital, not only because of its cool climate, but also the many attractions that include Burnham Park Mines View Park, Camp John Hay, and the Philippine Military Academy. In Banaue, one can see the famous rice terraces, which is considered as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”



Visit old churches and the preserved heritage houses in Laoag and in the Ilocos and relive the ambience of the 18th century. While in the Ilocos, visitors may also feel the heat of the sand dunes of Calayab, the “Sahara Desert of the North” and marvel over the beauty of Lake Paoay, as well as visit and see the torture chambers in Sarat and Bacara and the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Pagudpud.



Davao is the biggest city in the world in terms of size. Its beauty and wealth is partly vested in its vast greenery of mountain ranges and virgin forests, fertile valleys and coastal planes.



to be continued...
 

Indonesia Thailand USA Europe Canada Hong Kong Philippines