Fast Rising Tourist Spots in the Philippines 5

Bohol attracts Chinese tourists

Officials of the Department of Tourism (DoT) have presented the island-paradise of Bohol as “focus destination” in Beijing recently, according to a report by Manila Bulletin. Leading the promotion of Bohol as the heart of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines“ slogan is the Bohol Tourism Council.

Bohol is at the cusp of a “great leap forward” economically – anchored on eco-tourism, agriculture and soon business process outsourcing, said DoT..  Bohol has two universities and a host of good colleges to provide qualified personnel for the hospitality and call centre markets.

Bohol attracted PhP11.1 billion in new investments (2012-2013) with 70 percent going to hotels, resorts, pension houses and inns, and 30 percent in dwellings (subdivisions and condominiums).

With a new airport in the offing, the leading resorts like Bellevue Hotel, Bohol Beach Club, Bluewaters Resorts, Panglao Island Resorts, Henann Resort and Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa are planning their own upgrade and expansion projects.

Las Farolas opens in Pasig

Las Farolas, an urban sanctuary of over 3,000 exotic river monsters from various continents, was opened on 24th April 2013 to help promote domestic tourism and protect freshwater aquatic resources.   Las Farolas at the Fish World is located on Frontera Drive beside Tiendesitas on Ortigas Ave., Pasig City.

Casiguran rises as ecotourism zone

Economic officials said the establishment of an agro-aqua and ecotourism zone in Casiguran, Aurora can promote growth and development in the area and its adjoining municipalities.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the development of Casiguran under the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) “has intrinsic economic potential as an agro-aqua and ecotourism zone” given that the activities proposed are going to be well supported by the resources of the area.

“A well-defined market for outputs within and outside of the ecozone as well as the abundant agri-aqua raw materials and human resources in the area serve as a strong draw for locators,” NEDA said. “This new plan would generate employment and spur development not just in the catchment area of Dilasag-Casiguran-Dinalungan in Aurora, but also in the nearby provinces.”

Albay top tourism spot in 2013

Members of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) have chosen Albay as 2013 “Summer Destination of the Year,” according to a report by Manila Standard Today.  Philtoa president Cesar Cruz announced the choice of Albay as the 2013 Summer Destination during their 2nd General Membership Meeting of the group on 10th April 2013.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda thanked the organisation for the honour and revealed their aggressive tourism marketing campaign.  He said Albay is now the fastest growing tourist destination in the country posting last year an all time high growth rate of 49 percent. It was highlighted as a global tourist destination at the recent ITB-Berlin Tourism Fair in Germany.

Albay has new destinations, among them, the Albay “Green Zone,”  the Vera, Busay and Botong waterfalls; the Pototan and Hoyophoyopan caves; three hot springs, hectares of shoreline mangrove plantations; the  ATV lava adventures at the foot of Mt. Mayon, and the Agroethnic centre being developed.

Subic ecotourism

Subic has become a favourite destination of Filipino families looking for a quick weekend or summer getaway from the stressful demands of working and living in a growing metropolis, according to a report by Philippine Star.

The easy drive from Manila via the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressways is an easy one-and-a-half hour smooth drive over well-paved roads.

Visitors to this 60,000-hectare complex can get lost in the ecotourism-themed adventures in the forested areas or rivers and beaches. Although not quite like the world-famous Boracay, Subic stands its place as one of the top 10 local tourist destinations in the country.

Catanduanes joins Almasor tourism

The Almasor (Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon) Tourism Alliance has welcomed into its fold the island province of Catanduanes, with its old churches, rock-hard mountains and waterfalls, and idyllic beachfronts with waves that are known to surfers as among the “best right hand barrels in the world,” according to a report by Manila Standard Today.

Catanduanes, which formerly belonged to the tourism group Catanduanes-Camarines Norte-Camarines Sur Link, opted to leave and join Almasor. Two Camarines Sur towns — Buhi and Bato — both with rich tourism potentials and which border with Albay, may also join Almasor soon.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, chairman of the  Bicol Regional Development Council, said the South Bicol Tourism Development Area, more popularly known as Almasor, will be provisionally referred to as “ALMASOR +” while awaiting the formal merger documents.

Cruise ship calls on Leyte coastal town

Luxury cruise ship MS Europa surprised residents of the sleepy island of Kalanggaman off Palompon, Leyte when it anchored off the town and unloaded hundreds of tourists on its white sand beach, according to a report by Manila Standard Today.

The cruise ship arrived on 20th March 2013 with about 400 tourists and crew onboard and their 12-hour stop sparked great interest in the potential benefits of tourism-oriented activities.

The ship’s captain put a marker with a photo of the first cruise ship; Europa has already signified that they plan to return with a new batch of tourists in April after visiting four other destinations in the country aside from Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cross-sea zipline in Mindoro

The first cross-sea zipline in the Philippines, or probably in Asia, will start construction in the second quarter of this year to connect three islands, including the world-famous dive site, the Apo Reef, according to a report by Manila Standard Today.

Mayor Eduardo B. Gadiano of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro said the first phase of the zipline project will start from the clifftop of Parola Park in the Sablayan mainland to Pandan Pequeno Island with a length of 1.5 kilometres or 1,500 metres.  “Its construction may take about six months,” he said.

The first cross-sea zipline project is self-funded by the Sablayan municipal government, costing PhP6 million. 

El Nido wins tourism award

El Nido Resorts was among the four leading sustainable tourism businesses and destinations awarded at the recent World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2013 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards (TTA) in Abu Dhabi, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

El Nido Resorts (Ten Knots Development Corp.) bagged the Community Benefit Award for playing a vital role in community development and livelihood.