Category: Destination

Once a sleepy coastal village located at the northwestern tip of Sorsogon province, this town now eyes to be a first-class municipality, thanks to giant sea creatures that are now attracting hordes of foreign and local tourists who infuse millions of pesos into the local economy. "Donsol was elevated to a third-class municipality in 2006 from a fourth-class status in 2003 and fifth-class in 1998, because of the butanding," Mayor Salve Ocaya said, while giving tribute to the whale sharks, considered as the world's largest fish that have found a home in the plankton-rich municipal waters of Donsol.

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. "The right time to do it is now," orchid society president Kelvin Manubay said. "The Philippines' potential to be an exporter of orchids and ornamental plants is very, very high." more…

Interest in ecotourism has been on the rise, as tourists from around the world began to appreciate the beauty of nature, which abounds in tropical archipelagos such as the Philippines.

International visitor arrivals to the Philippines rose 1.5 percent year-on-year to a record 3.14 million in 2008 despite the global economic downturn, thanks to the rising interest for ecotourism among Europeans who are drawn to the country's natural wonders.

The Tourism Department said new tourist products in the market such as diving and bird watching provide impetus to stimulate awareness of the country's tourist potentials and bring in high-value visitors, with greater propensity to stay longer and spend more.

Makati and Ortigas Districts

Across the Pasig River from Intramuros is the Binondo area, home of Chinatown. The district is filled with all things Chinese from Peking duck and Buddhist temples to gold watches, snake soup, and wonder herbs. The high chords of Chinese songs and the permeating smell of incense complete the uniquely Chinese ambiance. It is said that this quaint district was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spaniards came in 1571.
 

The number of foreign tourists who visited the Philippines' top 16 regional destinations outside Metro Manila rose 6.4 percent year-on-year in the first six months of 2009, according to the Department of Tourism or DOT.

"Foreign arrivals in key destinations increased 6 percent in the first half of the year despite a decrease of 6 percent in inbound visitors into East Asia and the Pacific," Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said in his semestral report.

Filipinos are encouraged to vote for the Philippines' Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the world’s Seven New Wonders of Nature, according to Manila Bulletin.  The Subterranean River Natural Park, also known as the Underground River, is the only Philippine entry that qualified for the global search.  From over 440 participating locations in 220 countries, the Underground River was chosen as one of the 28 finalists for the final voting to determine the Seven New Wonders of Nature that will be announced on 11th November 2011.

What to see and do in Quezon City?  A lot, if you are indeed talking about the largest city in Metro Manila.  It is also the richest and most populous city in the Philippines.  Quezon City is so big that the widest roads in the Philippines are found here, including EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Elliptical Road, Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, East Avenue and Aurora Boulevard.

On the highway to Pagudpud from Laoag City, a left detour somewhere in Burgos, Ilocos Norte is a rustic, dirt road that leads to the South China Sea.  On a slope where vehicles cannot pass anymore, tourists get a glimpse of what is about to amaze them.  Most would feel the urge to brave the heat of the sun and carefully hop from one rock to another during low tide towards a hill that seems to get brighter every step of the way.

The adventure is a part of the foot trail to the Kapurpurawan rock formation, a hill of white limestone rocks in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.  Otherwise known as the Ilocos white rock formation, Kapurpurawn captures the fancy of both old and young alike, thanks to its white marble-like rock surface that shines under the sun.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) have unveiled a list of “Top Emerging Destinations for 2010”, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.  Among the criteria used in the preparation of the list are good accessibility, communication network, availability of meeting facilities and standard accommodations.

Listed as emerging destinations are Laoag and Dagupan (Region I) for their heritage sites and beaches;  La Trinidad Valley (Cordillera) for its magnificent strawberry fields, vegetable terraces, and  cut flowers industry;  Zambales (Central Luzon) which is a multifaceted destination for beach holidays, mango agri-tourism, and sports adventure activities;  San Juan, Batangas (Region IV-A)  that boasts of endless beautiful beaches and stylised type of resorts; Marinduque (Region IV-B)  with its world class resort and rich cultural traditions; Sorsogon of Bicol ( Region V) which is synonymous to eco-tourism activities like interaction with friendly whale sharks and firefly tours.

Thousands of people head south of Manila to spend a day of fun-filled relaxation and adventurous excitement within the American-style walls of Enchanted Kingdom, a 17-hectare world class theme park conveniently located in the outskirts of Sta. Rosa, Laguna.