Araneta Coliseum, which is known as the Big Dome in Cubao, Quezon City, has been renamed the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  The Coliseum, which used to be the largest covered coliseum in the world, is undergoing a major redevelopment.

The International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) offcially opened in Subic Bay on March 23, 2011.    The school is the first institution of its kind that in the ASEAN region that provides both short-term courses (seven days to three months) and facilities that inspire and encourage quality of tourism human resources, environmental and cultural conservation, marketing and product development strategies on sustainable tourism.

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, trooped to the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City on Saturday nights from February 12 to March 12, 2011, to witness the dazzling display of fireworks dancing to the tune of popular music.

The Second Philippine International Pyromusical Competition in 2011 put on an amazing shower in the sky of explosive colors and electrifying music, best viewed at the Seaside Boulevard at SM Mall of Asia.

Participating countries include South Korea, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, Canada, Australia and the Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino III has issued Proclamation No. 84, which identified the holidays in 2011. This goes against the previous administration’s practice of moving the holiday to the nearest Monday to enable workers to enjoy long weekends.  The previous administration pursued the so-called holiday economics which encouraged people to visit tourist destinations during long weekends.

The Department of tourism (DOT) aims to promote cultural spots, rather than the numerous white sand beaches dotting the country's 7,000 plus islands, according to a report by GMANews.   "This year we are going beyond the sun and sea destinations. We want to highlight our cultural and heritage sites as well as health and wellness destinations," Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim was quoted as saying.

Manila will host the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2012.  The Philippines has successfully won the bid over other strong contenders.  The event is scheduled to take place at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City.

Christmas in the Philippines is a spectacle of lights and vibrant colors that convey a festive mood and jolly atmosphere.  As a Christian country, the Philippines joins the rest of the world in celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This makes Manila and other major cities in the Philippines a tourist draw during the Christmas season.

From lively interior decors inside homes to giant Christmas trees outdoor, the country comes alive with a kaleidescope of neon lights and beams on the nights of December to early January.

Metro Manila is particularly glowing with rainbow colors in December.  Favorite destinations during this time of year include Cubao in Quezon City which has the tallest outdoor Christmas tree matching the size of Araneta Coliseum, the twin giant malls of SM City North EDSA and Trinoma also in Quezon City, Roxas Boulevard in Manila, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Greenhills in San Juan and the Ayala Center in Makati City.

Makati Business Club (MBC) executive director Alberto Lim has been appointed as the new secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), in place of Joseph Ace Durano.  Secretary Lim will have the chance to manage a more vibrant tourism industry and a stronger DOT organisation, following the enactment of the Tourism Act of 2009.

Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest cruise group, has made the Philippines one of its stops in its Asian packages.  Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said cruise companies venturing to the Philippines open up more possibilities for tourism.  The firm’s three ships, Costa Allegra, Costa Classica and Costa Romantica, have started regular visits to Manila.

Metro Manila hosted several major tourism events in 2009.  These included the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia, East Asia Seas Congress, Asian Congress on Health and Peace Tourism, Eco-Products International Fair, World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau Meeting, Asian and Oceanian Stock Exchanges Federation General Assembly, Licensing Executives Society International Annual Convention, and Federation of Asian Bishops Conference.

He could make a beautiful song out of "Filipino", "Bebot" or "Take U to the Philippines".  Apl.de.ap, or Allan Pineda Lindo, a Filipino-American member of the hip hop group Black Eyed Peas certainly celebrates his Filipino heritage through his music.

Recently, apl.de.ap has collaborated with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and MTV Asia to promote the Philippines through his music.  "I wanted to represent where I came from," said apl.de.ap. "I wanted to showcase all the beautiful spots in the Philippines and invite all Filipino-Americans to come visit the Philippines."

Apl.de.ap, who was born in Sapang Bato, Angeles City in 1974 and moved to the United States at the age of 14 with the help of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, said this is his way of giving back to the country.

Jiangsu province in China and the Philippines have agreed to intensify their marketing efforts to accelerate the movement of tourists between the two sides.

"For 2009, we are optimistic that the growth of arrivals from China will be sustained.  We will intensify our marketing efforts and strengthen mutual cooperation," said Ms. Arlene Alipio, head of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Team China during a visit by a 30-person delegation from Jiangsu province in Manila this week.

Cebu Flowerpecker has recently received the Bird Life Species Champion award in the British Birdwatching Fair 2009 in Oakham, Rutland, United Kingdom.  Known as the ‘Woodstock of Birders,’ the British Birdwatching Fair is an exclusive event where all sectors in birdwatching and wildlife conservation from all over the world gather.

Presented by BirdLife International, the award was given to the Department of Tourism (DOT) which was also named as the Species Champion for the said endemic bird.  “This award seals our country’s status as a premier birdwatching site in the global birders’ community.  More importantly, it will draw further support for biodiversity awareness and wildlife preservation from our local sectors,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

Foreign travel agencies that attended the recently concluded Phitex Philippine Travel Exchange or Phitex 2009 have agreed to promote the Philippines as an ecotourism destination.

Xpert Holidays, a dynamic travel company from Hong Kong which provides personal & professional services to people who are looking for adventurous, exotic and unique holidays, said it will include the Philippines in the promotion of ecotourism to their segment. 

“The Hong Kong market is high on eco-travels, and we respond to this by offering one-of-a-kind tours.  We have found that the Philippines appealed to a wide range of clients,” said Chi Ping Phoebe Tang, assistant operations manager.

The Department of Tourism or DOT has launched kayaking as the latest attraction in the Philippines, to drive more tourists to the country, despite the global economic downturn.  Faced with the challenge of drawing at least 3 million tourists this year, the DOT has promoted new products such as bird watching, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism highlighting the natural wonders of the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has asked hotels, resorts, spas, tour operators, and transportation stakeholders to create more options and flexible packages. 

"We have a very broad range of options to offer the most picky tourist.  Group tours will also be big as we all know that Filipinos love to travel with their families and friends," he said.

Tourism between the Philippines and Japan prove its resilience amid the economic global scenario as activities still abound.  In line with the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s efforts to intensify marketing campaigns for the Japanese market, DOT Team Japan and Cebu Pacific have developed a stimulus plan which includes direct flights to Manila from Osaka, accommodations, tours, and transfers.

“These are fruits of our partnerships with tourism establishments such as airlines, hotels, tour operators and service providers.  During these challenging times, we see all the more that working together is important to spur growth in the industry,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

The Department of Tourism, DOT, has worked with its partner airlines, hotels, and tour operators to offer cheap travel and tour packages in the Philippines for the US market of as low as $799, including air fare and accommodation.
 

Flora Filipina (Philippine Flowers)

Good prospects for horticulture industry cited
From MANILA STANDARD TODAY

Commercial growers and hobbyists have cited the great potential of the Philippines as a major exporter of ornamental horticulture products.

At the opening ceremony of the Flora Filipina Expo in February 2006, the Philippine Horticultural Society Inc. and the Philippine Orchid Society have committed to join together in putting the local industry at par with those of Thailand and Singapore.

Israel has opened a monument in honor of the Philippines, which declared an open door policy for Jews during the Second World War.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano witnessed the unveiling of the Open Doors monument at the Rishon Lezion Memorial Park in Israel on June 21.

“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,” said Durano.