The next question is, What outdoor travel accessories should I bring? For sure you need backpacks, light travel clothing if you are visiting a sunny destination, toiletries and other travel accessories like Swiss knife or sog knives.

You don’t have to bring all travel accessories that you have and just always bring the basic ones unless you really need it. The goal is to always travel light right? Make sure that you only have some travel accessories you’ll never be sorry you packed. Be sure to have mesh ditty bags for packing and organizing T-shirts, underwear and other light clothing’s. Consider buying folders that can hold several dress shirts, blouses and tourers if you want your clothing wrinkle free.

Keep your toiletry in one small toiletry bag where you can place your soap, shampoo, toothbrush, razor, sunblock. Get the one that has special pockets, holders and containers for a variety of personal-care items.

For security purposes, be sure to have padlocks for your backpack and luggages specially if you are staying in a hostel or guest houses. I saw several Pacsafe products that has security features that provides comprehensive security. Not only that, It also allows you to secure your bag to fixed objects with the locking system to deter theft.

Here are some other optional accessories that you might want to bring when you take your next trip: Binoculars, Music player, Mini-flashlight, Camera, Clothing steamer, Mini-umbrella, Luggage rack, Door alarm and First-aid kit.

It would not be surprising that you might have additional options to this list, or you might have a list entirely different from the list above. Check out The Blade Shop and Internet sites that sell travel accessories, you would learn that there are many products out there that you thought you never needed but turned out to be the contrary!

Photo shows (7th from left) Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Planning and Promotions, with (2nd from right) Venus Tan, Tourism Attaché of DOT Frankfurt, and (3rd from left) Verna Buensuceso, Team Europe Head, with representatives of the top 4 Swiss travel operators.

The DOT welcomed the group with a colorful performance by the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company.

The travel agents are slated to visit their market’s top six destinations, namely Manila, Bohol, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan and Northern Luzon.

Together with partners KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Annset Holidays, 16 local tour operators will host these familiarization trips.

Hiking or Nature tripping requires for you to have an outdoor gear but buying an outdoor sporting gear doesn’t have to break the bank and prevent you from enjoying the most awaited summer adventure.

Your defense gear during an outdoor activity needs to be reliable, durable and best of all – it should be affordable right? Locally you can buy outdoor accessories from outdoor gear shops like ROX in Bonifacio High Street but you can also buy it online eg. YourDefenceGear.com.

If you are looking for a trusty luggage, a good camera bag or a plain backpack, you should visit the yearly Travel Gears Bodega Sale in Binondo organized by Travel Gears Bodega Sale in Binondo organized by Primer Group in State Centre Building. Checkout brands on sale which includes Sanuk sandals, Samsonite, Columbia Sportswear, The North Face, Victorinox, American tourister, World Traveller, Tough Jeans etc.

You can also find camping gear and equipment, ranging from backpacks to electronic gadgets to camping tents. Camping gear categories, which we supply, include backpacks, books, clothing/apparel, clothing/footwear, cookware, electronics & instruments, flashlights & lighting, food and food processing, furniture, insect control, kayaks, canoes, rafts, camping knives & accessories, personal care, poles, staffs and canes, ramps, carriers & vehicle acc, recreational, camping sleeping bags, stoves and fuel, tent accessories, camping tents, videos, dvds, cds, water treatment & transport, you name it and we have it.

You can find some great camping equipment like tents, stoves, etc. in most specialty shops here in Manila but I would suggest for you to consult mountaineers or a friend who is a member of an outdoor club to get a referral as to where to go and buy this things.

Even in a tight budget, you can still enjoy this year’s summer break! Try to borrow outdoor gears and equipment if you cannot buy your own. Or you can watch out for online sales and promotions if take advantage of the largest selection of high quality gear and tools related to the great outdoors.

Convened by Tourism Secretary Ace Durano in pursuant to Republic Act 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009), the pioneer members of the Tourism Congress included, among others, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PhilTOA), the Board of Airline Representative (BAR), the Movement of Incentive Travel Executives (MITE), the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), Spa Association of the Philippines (SAPI), the Philippine Association of Health Organizations in Medical Tourism (PhilAsHOMe), Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Retirement, Inc. (PRI), Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA), Davao Tourism Association (DATA), Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), Boracay Foundation, Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA), and other travel agencies, hotels, resorts and restaurant associations from all over the country.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her inaugural speech thanked the private sector for pouring P555 Billion in tourism investment in the accommodation, tourist transport, infrastructure and utilities. President Arroyo said, “The private sector participation in tourism has taken a new promising turn in recent months, with major players investing not only in resorts, or airplanes but even in infrastructure projects, such as the modernization of Caticlan Airport and waste water treatment facility in Boracay Island.”

President Arroyo further congratulated the valuable members of the private sector of the tourism industry, which are now officially recognized by the Tourism Act through the Tourism Congress. The President stressed, “This Congress convened for the first time must be repeated again and again in the future.”

Former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor was selected as Presiding Officer while Rose Libongco, President of the HSMA, as Secretary of the Tourism Congress.

Members of Tourism Congress toiled at the discussion of adoption of their Constitution and By-Laws as well as election of its Board of Trustees charged to follow through the ratification and formulation of detailed guidelines for the conduct of the organization, membership and nomination to the governing boards.

Elected to the Tourism Congress Board of Trustees (BOT) were Charles Uy, President, (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Boracay); Mike Albana, Executive Vice-President (HRRAC); Alma Jimenez, Vice-President for Luzon (PhilAsHOMe); Jenny Franco, Vice-President for Visayas, (NAITAS-Cebu); Susan Palad, Vice-President for Mindanao (Davao Association of Tour Operators); Wanda Teo, Secretary (NAITAS Davao); Gene Bangayan, Treasurer (Davao Tourism Association), as well as Jaime Cura and Dexter Deyto, Organizers and Suppliers (CREBA of the Philippine Association of Convention/ Exhibition).

Newly elected BOT President Uy expressed that, “The private sector is committed to working closely with the Department of Tourism in the development, implementation and coordination of tourism plans and policies.” With the view of strengthening collaboration among the private sector and the government, Uy lauded the new Tourism Act, its proponents and the DOT for making said partnership possible.

BOT Treasurer Bangayan said, “The Tourism Congress is a very welcome development for stakeholders in Davao and Mindanao as it opens new avenues for networking in the industry.”
On the participation of the members, Libongco said, “Delegates were informed, articulate and gave valuable inputs on the Constitution and By-laws of the Tourism Act. We look forward to a vibrant industry ahead.”

Felix Cruz, President of BAR likewise commended the exercise, “The Tourism Congress is a breakthrough in tourism, giving new momentum in the promotion of the tourism industry specially for the airlines and transportation sector.”
Pursuant to RA 9593, the Tourism Congress serves as the private sector consultative body to assist the Department of Tourism in the coordination of tourism policies.

Philippine Kayak Marathon

Entitled Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol crossing, the 3rd run will follow the route of Mactan Island to Bohol, where paddlers will cross the 125-km scenic route passing through a motley of islets, coves, mangroves and river deltas. The DOT together with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) is supporting the event.

“We have 7,107 islands, with infinite possibilities for kayaking adventure. Exploring the span of our clear waters surely opens travelers to the unique splendor of our country,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

The tourism chief also commended different sectors for their active participation in boosting the eco-adventure package, “The Philippines can undoubtedly become the Kayaking Capital of Southeast Asia with these overwhelming support from the private sector and local communities.”

Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions highlighted the country’s bountiful natural waterways, “This unique eco-adventure allows tourists inside secret coves, inlets, channels that lead to stunning views of our mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, unspoiled coastlines and other exciting mysteries around our islands.”

With more than 100 participants expected to attend the three-day event, Kayak Explore Cebu and Bohol will begin from Punta Engano following a 5-km coastal run along Mactan Island passing through resorts and other sites, then on to Olango, down to Getafe, Bohol. The race will then move eastward towards Panglao passing through coastwise and municipal waters; stopping by at designated control points where local packages and tours may be introduced.

Apart from the kayak marathon, the event will also conduct kayaking clinics, 5-km novice races, eco-touring flotilla, island hopping, moonlight paddling. A mini fair of eco-tour packages such as the New Adventure-Kayak Hundred Islands, Historic Manila Bay Kayaking Adventures; Luxury Kayaking Safari in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, and Bohol Extreme Packages: Kayamping (Kayak and Camping) will be held on site.

Kayaking Philippines was introduced to major foreign buyers at the Philippine Travel Exchange ’09 (PHITEX).

One of the world’s best kayak sites and trails found in the Philippines include, Pinacanauan River, Hundred Islands, Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan, Caramoan Peninsula, Northern Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Siargao Island, and Samal Island.

The Caramoan Peninsula offers a view of limestones, rugged coastlines, and white sand-ringed islands, complemented by a stunning view of underwater marine life by snorkeling around shallow waters.

For the high-spending market, the DOT offers Luxury Kayaking in Palawan. Known for its idyllic beaches, lagoons and caves, Palawan enjoins travelers to kayak in El Nido and Coron.

Cebu draws attention to paddling in Hilutungan Island and Marine Sanctuary, Sulpa Island, Olango Island and Mactan Island for moonlight kayaking.

Bohol, the frontier of ecotourism, lists several sites for kayaking which include, Banacon Island, Pandanon Island, Dumog and Ubay Islands, Abatan River, and Punta Cruz, which teem with mangrove forest and sandbars. Lagoon moonlight paddling is also offered in Panglao Island.

In Samar, the unspoiled waters of Marabut, and Sohoton Natural Bridge Park are featured. While Siargao has Guyam Island, Sohoton Cove, and Del Carmen Lagoon. Samal Island in Davao is likewise a kayak site, promising reefs, mountains and caves along the way.

For inquiries, call (02) 4687091; 0915-435-9321; email philkayaking@yahoo.com or visit www.justgo.ph/kayak; www.kayakphilippines.com.