Category: News

New hotels are rising

Several large hotels are expected to open in 2008 and 2009, which would support the anticipated increase in international visitor arrivals, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.

Domestic air traffic up by 25 percent

The volume of domestic airline passengers rose 25 percent year-on-year in 2009, on the back of strong domestic tourism, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).  Data shows that the number of domestic air passengers rose to 14.7 million from 11.8 million in 2008, as airlines increased the number available seats by a fourth to 18.96 million from 15.13 million.

Spirit of Manila flies to Taipei

Spirit of Manila Airlines, the country’s newest carrier, is now operating thrice weekly to Taipei, according to a report by Philippine Star.  Spirit of Manila, the first Philippine airline to fly to Taipei out of Clark, said its timely expansion of more direct flights would have a positive impact in the China-Taiwan market, and would provide better service to passengers from Central and Northern Luzon.

Ascott Makati, first full wifi hotel

Ascott Makati, a serviced residences hotel at Ayala Center, bills itself as the first building in the Philippines with full wireless Internet coverage anywhere within its premises. “It is the first building in the Philippines to have 100 percent wireless Internet coverage,” Ascott general manager Lew Yen Ping said, during the 25th year anniversary of the Singapore-based Ascott International, the parent firm of Ascott, Somerset and Citadines serviced residence hotels.

No to sex tourism in the Philippines

 

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. has conveyed his apology to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario for his previous comment that 40 percent of male tourists visiting the Philippines do so for sex tourism, according to a report by Philippine Star. The American diplomat, who made his comment during a forum on human trafficking, caught the ire of some politicians who felt offended by a frank statement from a foreign dignitary.  Although sex trade is tolerated in night districts in Manila, Cebu, Davao and other major cities in the country, the government insists that prostitution is illegal here.

Why do tourists come to the Philippines?

Some 1.7 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines in January to April 2014, representing a growth of 2.9 percent from a year ago, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT).
 
The 2.9-percent increase in international visitor arrivals in the four-month period this year, however, was slower than 10.1-percent rise in 2013, 14.6 percent in 2012, 13.3 percent in 2011 and 10.1 percent in 2010.
 
 

Philippines wins tourism award

The Philippines was awarded the Destination of the Year at the 25th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2014, just a few months before the Department of Tourism (DOT) sets about raising the country’s international profile with its Visit the Philippines... Read More | Share it now!

Terminal Fee Included in Tickets

International passengers departing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will no longer have to line up to pay the terminal fee starting 1st October 2014.   The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it will start... Read More | Share it now!

Sangley airport to be built

Officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) plan to present to the country’s main economic planning body a proposal to build a US$10-billion international airport in Sangley Point, Cavite, by the third quarter of... Read More | Share it now!

Membership Hotel in Boracay

A vacation hotel that offers membership shares in Boracay is set to change the way Filipinos enjoy the country’s most sought-after destinations when it opens in 2014.