Aptly themed “Beyond the Usual Philippines,” the event, organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT), is designed to showcase what is unique to the Philippines.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza, who signed a memorandum of agreement with PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz recently, said the SBMA would also be an official partner of the 20th PTM that will be held on September 4-6 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Cruz said SBMA’s infusion of fresh ideas in developing eco-tourist sites in Subic provided a classic example of what the industry should do to realize the country’s full tourism potentials.

Cruz cited the SBMA’s “hop-on, hop-off” transport scheme, whereby commuting tourists or “backpackers” can now tour the vast expanse of the Subic Bay Freeport, aboard double-decker buses plying Subic’s scenic route at regular intervals.

“Subic’s novel hop-on, hop-off scheme can be adopted anywhere in the country,” Cruz said.

Cruz also said that the Subic tourist transport system would be featured in tourism seminars during the 20th PTM, which also serve as an avenue for tourism stakeholders and students to discuss emerging trends in the industry.

Cruz further praised SBMA, the agency that administers the Subic Bay Freeport, for constantly adding new dimensions to its positioning as a prime nature hub.

Arreza, meanwhile, said that tourism developments in Subic revolved exactly around what were considered the free port’s jewels— its unspoiled beaches and virgin tropical forests.

“Our top tourist draws — the Treetop Adventure, Jungle Joe’s World, Zoobic Safari, and Ocean Adventure, to name a few, offer unique adventures, which we constantly upgrade by introducing new activities like bird-watching,” said Arreza.

He said that Subic Bay had been named by the DOT as one of the country’s official sites for bird-watching, a young but increasingly popular activity among nature lovers.

“We are also introducing the newest fads in adventure tourism, like wind surfing, kite boarding, sailing, and other water sports. Actually, one can do almost anything in Subic,” said Arreza.

For the upcoming travel mart, Arreza said that SBMA would showcase a complete set of Subic’s attractions at the mall’s 24-sqm pavilion.

The Subic Bay Freeport greatly benefits from the annual travel event, which brings in thousands of local and foreign corporate buyers, consumers and other stakeholders in a single venue for travel and tourism.

Arreza said the travel mart had carved a niche in the international market as a prime venue for Philippine tour packages and other tourism products.

“Last year, 50 foreign buyers went straight to Subic right after visiting the travel mart,” he said.

Arreza also said the SBMA has a successful partnership with the PHILTOA, which is the biggest association of tour operators and agencies that exclusively promote domestic and inbound tourism.

Cruz said the PHILTOA expected about 300 foreign buyers to visit this year’s event.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Underground River

Votation for the second stage began in January 7, 2009. A total of 261 nominees and multinational nominees 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. Palawan’s Underground River is at second place under the category of Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves, with the Amazon River at no. 1 (source: Ranking © www.new7wonders.com). Only 77 of the 261 nominees will remain after voting ends in July 7, 2009. People who took part in the first stage of the poll may vote again in the ongoing second stage.

Sec. Ace Durano in Palawan

“Once again we urge Filipinos from all over the world to keep their eye on the prize. All the voting and support have already generated immense publicity for our country. It would indeed be a feat for the Philippines if the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park becomes one of the 7 phenomenal sights in the world,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

Renowned as the world’s longest underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park also features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape. Inside its large chambers are stalactites and stalagmites formations, while at the mouth of its cave
thrives a bustling ecosystem which includes monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels.

“We ask everyone to join us on this long but gratifying road to victory. But more than the people’s votes, we urge preservation and protection of our natural sites because they are the irreplaceable
wealth of our country,” said Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions.

After the top 77 candidates have been determined, the New7Wonders Panel of Experts, led by Prof. Dr. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, will then take over to select the 21
Finalists.

Voting will resume after selection of the 21 Finalists. The nominees will compete for vote against candidates within their category. Simultaneous with the voting, the New7Wonders World Tour will visit the 21 Finalists to give each a chance to be seen by the whole world.
The final 7 will be announced in 2011.

Secretary of State Guergis met with Senior Undersecretary Thomas Aquino of the Department of Trade and Industry, Government of the Philippines, on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Arequipa, Peru, to make the announcement.

“I am very pleased to announce a new and expanded air transport agreement between Canada and the Philippines, which will enhance relations between our two countries,” said Secretary of State Guergis. “Expanded air services are an important contributor to trade in goods and services, providing increased capacity and access to more choices for both passenger and cargo traffic.”

“The new Canada-Philippines air transport agreement should facilitate further growth in trade, investment and tourism,” said Minister Cannon. “The new provisions are a reflection of Canada’s ongoing commitment to creating a greater range of travel options for passengers, shippers, air carriers and airports.”

The new provisions provide greater market access options for airlines from both countries for passenger-cargo combination services. In addition, both governments reached agreement on a new, flexible regime for the operation of air-cargo services, which will also contribute to the success of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. In 2007, two-way trade between Canada and the Philippines amounted to $1.2 billion.

The new agreement marks another step forward in the government’s move to liberalize Canada’s air transport agreements under Canada’s Blue Sky policy. Both countries have agreed to explore further areas for possible liberalization. Air carriers are reviewing the results of these negotiations
to determine what new air services initiatives may be introduced.

For further information: Lynn Meahan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, Ottawa, (613) 992-7332; Karine White, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, Ottawa, (613) 991-0700; Trade Media Relations Office, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada, (613) 996-2000; Media Relations: Transport Canada, Ottawa, (613) 993-0055; Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual
disabilities.

Beach-reads fly off bookshelves; shorts and tank tops tumble out of closets; patio umbrellas are unfurled; rooftop parties commence. And just as surely, the pitter-patter of flip-flops on the sand overlaps with the buzz of possible explorations under sunny, soon to be summery skies.

In the Philippines, the choices for summer escapes are rich indeed. There’s a lot to be explored in a country made up of 7,107 islands, where the breeze is balmy throughout the year. In fact, the opportunity to discover something new is limitless; and this is exactly why Havaianas — being a brand that mirrors the easy vibe of the tropics — is giving you the chance to indulge in summer bliss all year round.

To underscore the country’s unexplored gems and to rediscover favorite coastal destinations, Havaianas launched “Flipping for the Beach” contest. The initiative underscored the inherent tourism potential of the country via an endeavor that invites locals to share the unique activities that one can do to experience the diversity that the Philippine coast has to offer.

Whether it’s diving the sunken cemetery of Camiguin, swimming with the stingless jellyfish in Siargao, reef walking in Siquijor or whitewater tubing in Davao del Sur, it’s your creativity that will allow these destinations to shine. The contest, which runs nationwide from April 1, 2008 to May 1, 2008, is open to all Filipino citizens of legal age and challenges you to write (maximum of 500 words, with at least 3 photos- taken at the destination) or document via video (60 to 90 seconds running time in VCD or DVD format) about a unique beach getaway in the Philippines, focusing on the distinctive experiences that you can expect from the chosen destination. Remember, it’s all about the experience and the destination, so photos and videos don’t necessarily have to have Havaianas featured in them.

A panel of judges including Mr. Vince Rodriguez, executive producer of Studio 23’s NewsCentral; Honorable Department of Tourism Sec. Ace Durano and Ms. Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Terry S.A., along with top travel writers, will choose seven (7) winners who will then each receive an exclusive Havaianas pair which is not sold in the market, a 3-day/2-night all-expense-paid trip for two to the destination he or she wrote about and summer goodies from David and Goliath, T-Box, and Dakine.

“It’s the ultimate showcase of the most unique travel beach experiences that a country like the Philippines has to offer,” explained Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Terry SA. “And partnering with Studio 23’s News Central as well as the Philippine Department of Tourism means that this effort highlights the country’s undeniable potential as a world-class tourism destination.”

Told through the voices of Filipinos who have chosen to explore what this country has to offer by taking the road less traveled, Havaianas hopes to become a catalyst who will tap into the Philippines’ inherent tourism potential.

For more details on the mechanics, please see flyers and counter-standees in select stores and for other inquiries, please call the “Flipping for the Beach” Secretariat at (632) 7809898 landline, (0927) 6621127 mobile, or email promo@havaianasphilippines.com .

Havaianas is available in All Flip-Flops, Celio, Chocolate Clothing Co., Gas, J & S Surfshop, Moana, Nail Spa, Rustan’s, ROX, Sepatu, Stoked, Souk, The Zone, Orange Juice and Kidsports. For provincial outlets, visit www.havaianasphilippines.com

The country’s top medical and wellness facilities and resort destinations take center stage as the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that it is organizing the 2nd International Medical Conference (IMTC 2007). The event will be held on November 19-23 at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City.

According to Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, “I am calling on local stakeholders in the medical tourism industry, such as hospitals, wellness resorts, and healthcare financing services, tour operators and transportation companies to participate in this event and take advantage of the opportunity to meet and network with their counterparts around the world.”

The four-day event aims to develop medical value travel and to be the catalyst for industry alliances among medical establishments, health benefits companies, insurance travel partners, government agencies and other related enterprises. IMTC 2007 is expected to draw in more than 250 trade participants from over 23 countries.

“Being part of IMTC 2007 opens boundless opportunities for the participants. It is the global platform for everyone involved in medical tourism to address important issues and to strengthen their trade ties,” explained Elizabeth Nelle, director of the DOT Office of Product Research and Development.

Nelle added that the global medical travel industry is currently worth $40 billion with over 780 million patients are seeking faster, more affordable and world class medical care outside their home country. Insurers are looking for alternatives to contain the escalating costs of healthcare, while providers are developing programs specifically for medical travelers.

IMTC 2007’s keynote address will be delivered by Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Medical Tourism Association, USA. He is set to speak on the next wave of medical travel. Edelheit is also the vice president of the Optimed Health/ United Group Programs, an American organization that specializes in creating and administering tailor-fit company health benefit programs.

Workshops will be programmed to assist participants understand key topics in medical tourism, such as designing the scope of medical travel services, internal and external resources to ensure service delivery, developing holistic packages and providing integrated services that cover transportation, interpretation, logistics, hospitality care and post care options.

Site visits and guided demonstrations will also be scheduled to provide first-hand experience of some of the best practices existing in the country. DOT will be arranging tours to The Medical City, St. Lukes’s Medical Center, World City Medical Center and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

The DOT will further arrange venues for medical contact exchanges, cross-country panels, business clinics, as well as sponsorships and exhibitions agreements. Forum sessions will cover case studies and best practices in India, Singapore and Thailand, as well as industry prospects in the Gulf Area and updates on the Philippine scenario.

Organizers will provide delegates with post conference trips to some of the country’s top destinations.

A special highlight of the said event is the International Medical Travel Excellence Awards, which will recognize the outstanding medical travel providers.

Durano revealed that the DOT is pushing to make the country one of the top destinations for medical tourism.

“We have some of the best hospitals and stand alone specialty clinics in Southeast Asia. The facilities and services are of top-notch quality and patients and customers can be sure to get the best value for their hard-earned money. Moreover, we have some of the best beaches and spa resorts. Our country is the place where medical travelers and their companions can be cared for with the warm, nurturing and friendly nature of the Filipino,” Durano added.