Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director for Southern Mindanao Art Boncato also said with the Tourism Act fully implemented in Davao, which is now being in the top five destinations outside of Metro Manila, they can have proper documentation of their tourism statistics.

He said, with an accurate data, the sector would be able to develop a realistic marketing strategy vis-a-vis accommodation of hotels and tourism establishments.

He cited that in Davao City, only 1,300 rooms are recorded, although the total number of rooms runs to about 4,700.

“When the law will be fully implemented, we would be able to give the real number of visitors,” he added.

Araceli Ayuste, chair of the Davao del Norte Tourism Council and who is also the concurrent chair of the Mindanao Tourism Council, for her part, said they found a new direction with the industry especially when President Simeon Benigno C. Aquino III early on announced of the government’s support in strengthening the tourism industry.

She noted that with the President pushing for tourism as he expounded during his inaugural speech, the local government units especially in the Island Garden City of Samal where she operates a resort, is now a clear direction of the local government units (LGUs) with regards the tourism industry sector.

She said this has been their clamor for the past 12 years and now they see projects on infrastructure that would support the industry here.

“There are things to be addressed and mostly are on infrastructure which before the local government did not understand its importance to the tourism industry,” she said.

However, she said there has still to be a clear cut implementation of the “Environmental User’s Fee * (EUF)” because as an operator I would prefer a one time collection of fees that covers the different activities in identified tourism sites.

Meanwhile, former DOT Secretary Narzalina Z. Lim who discussed “Biodiversity Conservation and Community-based Tourism when asked about EUF said this must be thoroughly discussed and properly implemented among concerned stakeholders.

Lim who was one of the resource speakers during the 1st Davao Biodiversity Summit is also president of Asia Pacific Projects, Inc.

Expounding on a case study the Nam Ha Eco-tourism project where the government tapped the community in tourism related activities.

She said among others they were successful in their implementation as data showed in 2006 it already generated some 56,932 dollars in revenues.

She cited as an example the sharing of revenues from a one day river trekking where 28 percent goes to Green Discovery, 19 percent to the villagers, 27 percent for Community-based Tourism Development Fund, and 20 percent for taxes.

She said it is important that stakeholders know where the distribution of the revenue go.

She cautioned however that tourism could have negative impacts on biodiversity saying uncontrolled or unmanaged tourism could destroy biodiversity.

Among these are hunting of wildlife, collection of corrals/fauna, creating disturbance to wildlife, improper siting and design of buildings in natural areas, absence of solid, liquid waste disposal system.

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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.

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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.

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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

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