Philippine Travel Blog Rotating Header Image

Boracay tourist arrivals up despite economic crisis and H1N1 flu

Jul 2nd, 2009
by Philippine Travel Blog.
2 comments

The tourist arrivals in the internationally renown Boracay island has increased despite the global economic crisis and the reported cases of A(H1N1) flu.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Dir. Edwin Trompeta said that the tourism industry in Boracay and in the entire Western Visayas has remained to be strong despite the problems.

Boracay Sunset
No Crisis in Paradise Island 

Recent report by the DOT Regional Office VI showed that from January to May 2009, a total of 337,666 tourist arrivals in the paradise-island or 5.16 percent higher than the 321,094 during the same period in 2008.

Of the these arrivals, Korea ranked first with 30,369. Korea has been consistent in topping the list because of the number of Korean students who are here to study and who take time out to visit Boracay island in Aklan province, together with their vacationing parents.

Second is China with 11,084 tourists. The direct flight from China to Kalibo has contributed much to the high number of Chinese tourists.

Tourists from Taiwan also ranked third with 7,014; United States of America, 4th with 6,155; Hong Kong, 5th with 3,201; United Kingdom, 6th, 2,835; Australia, 7th with 2,669; Germany, 8th with 2,660; Japan, 9th with 2,357; and Canada, 10th with 2,264.

[Slashdot] [Digg] [Reddit] [del.icio.us] [Facebook] [Technorati] [Google] [StumbleUpon]

Posted in: Destinations.
Tagged: · ·

Palawan River falls behind Amazon River in New 7 Wonders of the World

Jul 1st, 2009
by Philippine Travel Blog.
1 comment

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River slips to number 2 on the New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN) poll, prompting the Department of Tourism (DOT) to appeal for support from voters. The Philippine entry is vying for the top spot, which is currently occupied by the Amazon River, among other 54 nominees under the category of Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves.

There are currently 261 nominees from all over the globe, competing in 7 different categories, only 77 of which will remain after voting ends in July 7, 2009. The campaign is at its second of three stages.

The contenders have been classified into 7 groups which are: Landscapes/Ice Formations, Islands, Mountains/Volcanoes, Caves/Rock Formations/Valleys, Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves, Lakes/Rivers/Waterfalls, and Seascapes.

“It’s time we go beyond voting. Let’s all take an active part in promoting Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River to the whole world,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism. Continue reading →

Posted in: Destinations.
Tagged: · ·

More Indian MICE groups set to arrive in the Philippines

Jun 26th, 2009
by Philippine Travel Blog.
No comments yet

The Department of Tourism is set to welcome more than 300 tourists from two Indian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) groups, Italco, a cement company and Quality Circle Forum.

Italco is a cement manufacturing company, while Quality Circle Forum is a group of professionals involved in quality control for both government and private entities in India.

The groups are scheduled for shopping and clubbing around Metro Manila’s cosmopolitan districts and island-hopping in Cebu’s prime beaches.

“The emerging market of India is a significant source of arrivals, specially since global tourism groups point to the remarkable growth of India’s outbound tourists which are also in the high-spending bracket,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism. Continue reading →

Posted in: Travel News Update.
Tagged: · ·

Philippine tourism unfazed by A (H1N1) situation

Jun 26th, 2009
by Philippine Travel Blog.
No comments yet

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) remains unhampered at the increasing number of A (H1N1) cases in the country, optimistic that complete recovery of all confirmed patients is on the upswing.

As of 3:00 PM yesterday, June 25, 2009, there have been 727 reported cases of the virus, of which 536 or 74% of the total confirmed cases since May of this year have fully recovered from the symptoms. Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), a notably rapid recovery is evident. To date, 85 more patients have completely recovered from the pandemic flu and were sent home, while new cases numbering 123 are being closely monitored.

According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, “From a global perspective, the H1N1 flu is no different from the known seasonal flu; it is mild and treatable. In fact, in the US and Mexico where it all started, it is perceived and responded to just like any other seasonal flu. The state of the global economy is still the biggest challenge for the industry.”

He added, “In Australia where the most H1N1 cases in Asia Pacific are recorded, the population has already overcome the initial psychological scare that an unknown virus naturally brings. Comparing such cases with the Philippine scenario, what we have is even milder. In the country, while the occurrences of the virus are in populated areas, these are not in main tourism destinations.” Continue reading →

Posted in: Travel News Update.
Tagged: · · ·

Philippines honored in Israel’s “Open Doors” monument

Jun 22nd, 2009
by Philippine Travel Blog.
1 comment

The Open Doors monument in honour of the Philippines has been unveiled at the Rishon Lezion Memorial Park in Israel on June 21, forging stronger ties between the two countries.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, who was Guest of Honour at the event, said, “This monument commemorates the Philippines’ selfless efforts in opening the country for thousands of Jews, where they found a safe haven during a difficult period in their history. It is indeed an honour to remember this strong connection, at a time when the world is faced with a lot uncertainty and challenges.”

The Open Doors marker now sits as a historical landmark recognizing the Filipino people for their ‘courage, hospitality and the determination… to give humanitarian support for the European Jews seeking refuge from the Holocaust in the 1930s,’ according to the Philippine embassy in Israel. Continue reading →

Posted in: Destinations.
Tagged: · ·

Puerto Princesa celebrates Feast of the Forest

Jun 21st, 2009
by Philippine Travel Blog.
No comments yet

It’s Pista Y Ang Kagueban (Feast of the Forest) here on June 27, and the city government is now busy preparing for the annual tree planting celebration at the Irawan Watershed in Barangay Inagawan.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Underground River
Puerto Princesa

For 19 years now, the Pista has been successfully bringing thousands upon thousands of people to the mountains of Irawan to plant trees to prevent its soils from eroding. Irawan is a watershed area that serves as major source potable water of the city.

Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn and the city government expect more than 50,000 people to participate in this year’s Pista to plant more than a hundred thousand fast growing and fruit bearing trees on a 15-hectare site that’s now being readied by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

As a customary, free rides on military trucks, buses, jeepneys and other modes of transportation will begin to ferry residents and revelers to the site as early as 5 a.m. from the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum. Continue reading →

Posted in: Destinations.
Tagged: · ·

← Earlier Posts