Category: News

Cebu Pacific Air, the budget airline unit of the Gokongwei group, has edged out the Philippine Airlines (PAL) as the largest domestic carrier in the country as of August 2006, following the arrival of its new Airbus 319s and 320s under its refleeting program.

A study on the vacation habits of rich Asians shows that pristine beaches and upscale hotels top the list for family vacations, and the Philippines may just be in a position to grab this opportunity, according to a report by Philippine Star.

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.
 

The Philippines is becoming a major destination for Asian students.  The Bureau of Immigration reported that Korean students who received special study permits (SSPs) totaled 26,823 in 2010.  Foreign students who wish to take up elementary, high school and special courses in a Philippine school need to apply for a special study permit or SSP.

The SSP is different from the student visa or so-called 9[F] visa, which is issued to a foreigner taking up tertiary education in a Philippine college or university.

The Department of Tourism announced that the government granted a 30-day visa-free status for travellers coming from 166 countries in a bid to boost tourism.  Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said foreign retirees who choose to stay in the Philippines will “automatically get a six-month visa.”

By yearend, senior citizens from other countries will likely get “rights to senior discounts,” he said.  “We are now working with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance on the mechanics of such a move.”

SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s hotel unit is spending PhP2.5 billion to double the number of hotels under its portfolio to 10 by 2018 to tap the vast potential of tourism in the country.   SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. President Elizabeth... Read More | Share it now!

Property developer Rockwell Land Inc. will open The Aruga Serviced Apartments at Edades Tower and Garden Villas in July 2014.   The Aruga Serviced Apartments at Edades will be the first of Rockwell's several ventures into hotel and... Read More | Share it now!

Property developer Ayala Land Inc. has exited its plan to acquire Puerto Azul seaside estate in Cavite from Boulevard Holdings Inc. (BHI), a resort developer led by businessman Jose Panlilio. BHI said it received letters from Ayala Land cancelling with finality its request for reconsideration regarding the planned ALI-BHI Puerto Azul memorandum of agreement dated 13th March 2014.

Major diving destination. The Philippines has been recognised as among the world’s top destinations for diving in this year’s Top 100 Readers Choice Awards by Scuba Diving Magazine, which is “based on opinions of thousands of divers from across the globe.”

The Philippines, which is part of the Pacific and Indian Ocean region, was named Best Value of Diving Dollar by the magazine, surpassing four other destinations: Palau, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.