as seen on tv
Choose Philippines!
For people of third world origin a vacation can be an aspiration next to winning the lottery. When people are so poor and can barely make the next meal (or terrified with other seasonal concerns such as school expenses in June) a summer vacation or a dream to escape from normal life is just indulgent.
But in the first five months of 2010, many Filipinos went on vacation frenzy, whether in famous tourist destinations here and abroad, or just in their home provinces, said the Department of Tourism (DOT) which has brandished the banner year that 2010 has been, for Philippine travel.
According to the DOT, tourism growth was at its all-time high in the nation’s capital. Many traveling Juans chose Metro Manila, whose tourist arrivals increased by 35.4 percent from last year. Metro Manila with its gargantuan malls, theme parks, and restaurants provided tourists a taste of urban diversity and great shopping bargains.
Thanks too, to hard times – many of the rich scrimped on travel or downgraded their options from the ideal vacation abroad to a trip to a local destination. A colleague of mine for instance took her family of five to Bohol instead of a planned vacation to Singapore. That trip made a few Tagbilaran vendors, van drivers, and resorts a little richer.
The economic crisis provides an opportunity for many cities in the country to show off what they have to offer and lure local tourists. Filipinos look homeward for bargain vacations on a tight budget. These days, cities are getting creative in adding attractions. Cebu has added sky walking among its usual beach and food offers. In Davao, nature parks with zip lines have drawn tourists for adrenaline rush.
Also in the last few months the country’s two fiercely competing airlines (PAL and Cebu Pacific) have tried to outdo each other offering rock bottom prices for air travel. Their promo fares have attracted travelers to see the country or other countries.
New (refurbished) budget airlines such as AirPhil Express, Zest Air, and Sea Air have also attracted new markets by flying to destinations neglected by leading airlines. Start up airline Sky Pasada even reopened air routes to Baguio City and Batanes. All these offer cheap seats to the dismay of inter-island ferry companies whose market budget airlines have munched into. Inter-island ferries and shipping companies caught up with their version of ultra-low fare.
And then there are buses plying abridged Philippines via the nautical highway bringing tourists all over the archipelago. Before the roll on-roll off (RORO) ferry it was unimaginable for one to board a bus from Zarraga, Iloilo and ride all the way to Cubao. Today, some of the country’s most profitable tourist spots such as Cebu, Boracay, Bicol and Batangas are RORO stopovers.
A major tourism driver in the past months had been the El Nino. While the dry spell had affected the energy and agriculture sector, it gave tourism a head start.
The soaring temperatures drove people out of their homes to vacations, malls, and even to filthy Manila Bay, which had a record number of adventurous bathers during the Holy Week, sans warnings on the dangers of the bay’s highly toxic waters.
* * * *
The top three destinations in the Philippines according to figures from the DOT are Metro Manila, Cebu and Boracay.
Metro Manila as the nation’s capital was a convergence point for anyone who wanted respite from provincial life. Cebu is a destination in itself with its trademark Visayan beaches as it is an alternative to NCR with its equally engaging urban treats, great food, and adventure zones. Boracay Island recorded a spike in visitors especially during the Lenten season, which is traditionally the peak of local tourism.
Camarines Sur which came fourth in the DOT’s list, is fast becoming the country’s water sports capital. Baguio City, despite a 14 percent dip in tourist arrivals is still the fifth most popular tourist destinations in the country, especially during the El Nino months.
Other fast-growing tourist destinations in the Philippines include Davao City (6th), Zambales (7th), Bohol (8th), Camiguin (9th), Negros Oriental (10th), Cagayan (11th), Ilocos Norte (12th) and Puerto Princesa (13th).
* * * *
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group is advocating local tourism as it encourages Filipinos to see more of what our country has to offer. Check out its Facebook Page – CHOOSE PHILIPPINES – where some of the country’s tourist treats (both famous and well-kept secret destinations) are shared with Filipinos by Filipinos.
Simply go to http://www.facebook.com/Choose-Philippines and Like the page. The website provides information and pictures of Philippine tourist destinations under “PINASyal”, food and local delicacies with “PINASarap”, famous Pinoy personalities and celebrities under “PINASikat”, and events, festivals and parties all over the country under “PINASaya”.
Choose Philippines!
