Issue 41 – JUNE 2022

by PDOT Team | 14 Jul, 2022 | Newsletters, Travel Industry Updates

DOT’s Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) returns to Manila in August 2022

Time to gear up and get dive-ready as the Department of Tourism (DOT) stages the Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX), the country’s largest platform for the diving community, on August 19 to 21, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, Manila.

PHIDEX’s third edition seeks to continue the narrative of conservation, community, and convergence within the diving community through the theme “Back into the Blue: One with the Sea”.

The expo will also showcase the Philippines’ readiness to welcome dive tourists from all over the globe, gathering local and international dive industry experts, dive tour operators, and partner dive businesses to share their ideas and experiences.

“The entry of international travelers is a welcome development that will lead to growth in the travel and tourism sector, restoration of jobs, and the generation of much-needed revenue for tourism-related enterprises and communities. We are optimistic that these economic benefits will also extend to dive destinations around the country. The country remains a leading dive destination, which tourists all over the world are eager to visit after a long wait of two years,” said Tourism Development Undersecretary Woodrow C. Maquiling, Jr.

“The DOT hopes to encourage divers to practice sustainability every time they dive to preserve the country’s seas. Sustainable diving practices are a huge part of the reason why the country’s dive destinations continue to operate despite challenges brought by the pandemic,” Undersecretary Maquiling added.

PHIDEX is the only dive show in the world that combines in one event a Dive Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), a business-to-business (B2B) meeting program for local and international dive operators, dive conference and seminars, and familiarization tours to top and emerging Philippine dive destinations. Exhibition booths will showcase dive resorts and centers in different destinations, as well as top-rated dive gear and equipment.

Through conferences, participants will also have a chance to learn about new dive destinations developed during the pandemic, product updates from key dive destinations, as well as up-to-date underwater photography gear showcases. International dive operators will also get to inspect and assess top and emerging dive destinations such as Anilao, Bohol, Camiguin, Coron, Dumaguete, Malapascua, Moalboal, Puerto Galera, Southern Leyte, and Ticao Island through familiarization tours.

At least 100 local and international dive buyers and media from the Philippines, US, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Singapore, are expected to attend the expo. Meanwhile, activities such as Dive TRAVEX and Dive Conference will be accessible online for participants unable to attend due to international border restrictions.

Registration as consumer and trade visitors and exhibition booth reservation will open on June 24, 2022 through https://register.phidex.asia/. For more information regarding the PHIDEX activities, follow Dive Philippines on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DOTdivephilippines) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dotdivephilippines/) or email the PHIDEX Organizing Committee at phidex@tourism.gov.ph.

Philippines tourism enjoys strong recovery

The impressive ranking of the Philippines as the world’s fourth fastest growing economy in 2021 was one of the topics that opened the discussions at the recently concluded Routes Asia 2022 held at the Da Nang International Exhibition Fair Centre, Vietnam last week.

“Despite the travel restrictions caused by COVID-19, Philippine tourism saw some significant recovery contributing 10.4 percent to GDP in 2021 – thanks to our people-centered initiatives which aimed, first and foremost, to keep our tourism workers safe and sustain our MSMEs,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Woodrow C. Maquiling, Jr. said during the Routes Asia “Panel Trends Discussion: Tourism Rebound – Future Travel” quoting the World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report.

The tourism undersecretary led the 14-man delegation from the Philippines namely Clark International Airport Corporation and Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Bi Yong Chungunco; Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)’s OIC-Corporate Planning Office, Marco Antonio Javier; Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA)’s Business Development Specialist Roland Gabby Acosta; Philippine Airlines’ VP for Network Planning Christoph Gaertner, AVP for Network and Fleet Planning Bryan Ang; GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation’s (GMCAC) Head for Airlines Marketing and Tourism Development Aines Librodo; and Cebu Pacific’s Network Management Manager Margaret Gelsana.

Speaking before senior decision-makers from leading regional carriers, representatives from trade associations, airline boards of directors, airports, and government ministries, the Undersecretary opened the discussions tackling the DOT’s calculated strategies that included its massive vaccination of tourism workers, investment in human capital, and provision of soft loans to small business players as key to the industry’s remarkable recovery.

He said, “It is essential that we recover in tourism because it translates to national recovery. With direct, indirect and induced effects, we have achieved as much as 22.5 percent of tourism’s contribution to the country’s GDP pre-pandemic,” referring to the tourism sector’s contribution of US$92.6 billion to the nation’s economy before COVID-19.

UK Ambassador ‘charmed’ by Ilocos Norte, promotes tourism

LAOAG CITY, June 15 (PIA) – During her visit in the province of Ilocos Norte, Laure Beaufils, United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, was charmed by the different tourist spots in Ilocos Norte and is pushing for other tourists to visit for increased tourism for the province.

“I’ve been really impressed by the beauty of the natural environment. I know the province have invested in looking after the environment. You got a really pristine, very special place, and I will certainly be encouraging more tourists to come and visit this amazing province,” the Ambassador said.

Laure Beaufils, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, during her press conference in Ilocos Norte where she discussed different possible projects the United Kingdom Embassy can offer the province of Ilocos Norte. (EJFG, PIA Ilcoos Norte)

This morning, Beaufils and her team visited the town of Pagudpud, where they visited the beaches and the wind farms, which is the town’s ‘claim to fame’.

“When I landed, I already got a really fantastic vibe in the province, it feels very green, very peaceful, very safe, and very vibrant,” she expressed.

Beaufils expressed that she was blown-away by the beauty of Pagudpud Beach, saying that “the beautiful stretches of beach there is second to none.”

Last 2021, Pagudpud’s Saud Beach dubbed as “Boracay of the North” was included in the “25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World” list by American magazine Travel+Leisure.

Aside from promoting tourism for the province, the Ambassador also stated that there is a lot of potential trade and investment opportunities for Ilocos Norte and the United Kingdom, especially on renewable energy.

Beaufils recognized the province for being at the front-foot of renewable energy as the first country in Southeast Asia to have windfarms, specifically the Bangui Windmills.

Laure Beaufils, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, talks on renewable energy, tourism, disaster preparedness, health, and trade opportunities the United Kingdom Embassy can offer to the Province of Ilocos Norte. (EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)

“Having met today with ACEN (AC Energy Philippines), I’ve been to their windfarms. We were also able to discuss the opportunities for British companies to support in their supply chains,” she said. (JCR/AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)

DOT touts ‘future farms’ as new and sustainable tourist attractions

The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently launched “Future Farms”, a digital campaign to promote farm tourism, one of the sector’s promising gems, and to offer pandemic-weary travelers refreshing environment and new experiences.

“Future Farms” is the fruit of the government agency’s efforts to redevelop tourism products and seek out new types of destinations and activities for travelers in the new normal.

Since 2018, the DOT has been strengthening the development and promotion of farm tourism as a major tourism product. It supports stakeholders in innovating and diversifying farm sites around the country to include recreational and leisure activities for tourists in addition to food and wellness.

This innovation allows farm owners to maximize the potential of their property, employ more people, and give tourists more destinations to discover and agri-tourism products to enjoy.

The Farm Tourism campaign introduces a series of videos of must-see farms possessing unique characteristics of a ‘’future farm” — innovative, scenic, product-centric, and machine-oriented. The farms to be featured are located all over the Philippines and include sites such as Diaspora Farm and Resort in Bacolor, Pampanga, Amancio Nicolas Agri-Tourism Academy in Cordon, Isabela, Yamang Bukid in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Orchard Valley Farm in Pavia, Iloilo, Vita Isola Leisure Farm in Loon, Bohol, Damires Hills Tierra Verde in Janiuay, Iloilo, Taglucop Strawberry Hills in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, Agriya Farm in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, and JB Nature Farm & Resort in Sukailang, Surigao City.

The DOT said its farm tourism campaign “will definitely awaken the farmer in you as you explore the unique and fascinating farms in the country.” The Future Farms video series can be viewed at the “Tourism Philippines” YouTube channel.

Visit philippines.travel/futurefarms for more information on DOT’s Farm Tourism partner destinations.

8 best beaches in the Philippines you have to visit

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands (7,641 to be exact) which is nothing short of amazing. It’s also one of the most biodiverse places on the planet which makes the best beaches in The Philippines one of the most sought-after countries to explore.

Once you take a gander at some of the best beaches in the Philippines, you’ll no doubt find yourself with a whole lot of reasons to visit.

Like seriously, these places are absolutely stunning and one that can be visited pretty much all year round. The lowest temperature is about 21C in January, during the cool months which is like ‘summertime’ for us here in Europe!

If you’ve been to the Philippines before, then you’ll no doubt know exactly what I’m talking about and why you have to visit.

But this post is really about where to head when you do decide to visit so let’s skip a few notches and get right down to the best beaches in The Philippines you absolutely have to visit.

Featured Resort: The Farm at San Benito

Spend a Fun and Transformative Family Wellness Holiday

this Summer at The Farm

Summer is just around the corner, and for those who wish to have a healthy vacation in a COVID-Free environment while having fun and immersive wellness activities, The Farm at San Benito has got you covered.

The Farm is a multi-awarded eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort located in Lipa, Batangas – a mere 90-minute drive from Manila. The Farm is globally recognized as one of the best medical wellness resorts in the world, having won over 80 prestigious international awards including “Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World”. Known for its evidence-based approach to holistic healing and transformative retreats, The Farm offers medical-supervised health programs that address and treat chronic lifestyle illnesses.

It’s your ideal holiday destination for learning healthier lifestyle habits as a family. The Farm has come up with cool and creative activities for kids so that the whole family can come and have a life-changing holiday. Not only that, families are also free to bring pets along.

There are many holistic treatments available at the Farm for adults, and also safe for teens, and kids that are carried out by Holistic’s Sanctuary internationally–trained integrative medical doctors and licensed health professionals. Live Blood Analysis, Nutritional Conversation, Hara Puri Treatment, Abdominal, Kidney and Belly Compress, Psychoemotional Stabilizing Techniques, Take Home Therapies, Oral Prophylaxis for dental services,

Kids also deserve some pampering and body nourishing treatments. The Healing Sanctuary offers kid friendly treatments: Little Prince and Princess – Choco Milk Body Scrub, Purple Bliss Body Scrub, Lullaby Massage, Hilot Musmos (Infant Massage), Teenage Earth Facial Care, Rosy Glow Facial, Happy Feet Enzymes Glow Foot Scrub, Kiddie Manicure & Pedicure, Hair Super Food Mask, Acqua Kids Therapy.

Capture some precious moments and enjoy the Family Aqua Wellness. It’s two hours of exciting and summer cool family bonding time with mom and dad treatments made up of different water therapy that are helpful in stimulating natural happy hormone chemicals resulting in physiologic changes that are beneficial to one’s health.

2-hrs Aqua Therapy includes: Hydraulic Massage Bed, Ring Water, Acupressure Pool, Gentle Water therapy, Vichy, Kniepp, Jacuzzi, Rainbow shower, Steam, Ice Bucket, Thermal Foot and Thermal Bed for ultimate relaxation experience.

Families can choose to stay in any of The Farm’s luxury pool villas. A paradise villa with breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle and majestic mountains.

Unveiling this summer, the Mahogany Luxury Residences is a 2-storey residence villa that can accommodate 7 persons and is ideal for family vacation. This 281 sqm villa offers a 2-bedroom suite with spacious living area and dining area, gourmet kitchen with mini bar, service kitchen with cooktop, quarters, an outdoor swimming pool and gazebo dining surrounded by a masterful tropical landscape, air-conditioning throughout the villa, a 50” Netflix ready Smart TV, home office area, high-speed Wi-Fi connection, and balcony overlooking the timeless ridges of Mt. Malarayat.

And for an ultra-opulent unforgettable stay, The Farm offers the 580 sqm Mahogany Luxury Elite, also a 2-bedroom villa plus a basement living space with 2 additional bedrooms, a pantry kitchen and a mini-bar. This stellar residence can fit up to 7-10 persons. Upscale and luxuriously designed interior furnishings by the Almario sisters with original artworks by contemporary Filipino artists like Jinggoy Buensuceso for the art installation, Anita Magsaysay Ho in Bernardaud for the wall art plates, Ramon Diaz for the Koi Painting Abundance and wall mural by Nell Del Rosario. It comes with a wheelchair lift / PWD lift home elevator, entertainment room, a 65” and 70” Netflix ready Smart TV in every corner, air conditioned gazebo perfect for dining, minibar with chiller. The Master’s bedroom is a perfect fit for the likes of a king and queen’s comfort with a pool deck – easy access balcony stairwell, and a bathroom with built-in steam and sauna. And for your convenience, it comes with its own private buggy to use.

No need to worry about your kids getting bored because there is so much more to do at The Farm.

The environment is ideal for nature walks, which the kids can enjoy every morning or late in the afternoon. They can let loose and be creative with the Mandala Flower Meditation and have fun with arranging different flowers of various shapes, sizes and colors. And to help them enhance their flexibility, strength, body coordination and awareness, they can join the kid’s yoga to improve their sense of calmness and concentration. In addition, there is kite flying at the Organic Farm, pet feeding and more cool activities to keep the little ones preoccupied and away from gadgets and just enjoy nature at its best.

You can never go wrong with bonding over food. The award-winning Alive! Vegan Restaurant, boasts of all natural ingredients grown and hand-picked from The Farm’s organic garden and prepared by highly-skilled and innovative chefs. Kids menu includes vegan nuggets, plant-based burger, cauliflower pizza, hash browns, healthy banana split sundae and more. Enjoy an outdoor family picnic in our sprawling garden and secret garden and The Farm will arrange everything for you, from set up to nutritious menus.

Parents looking for the ultimate getaway can be assured their trip to The Farm this summer season will be an immersive wellness experience that is truly life-transformative.

Book your wellness staycation now and experience a life-transformative holiday at The Farm. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thefarmatsanbenito Instagram @thefarmatsanbenito visit our website www.thefarmatsanbenito.com . For bookings and inquiries, call +63 918 884 8080 / +63 917 572 2325 / +63 917 572 2223 /+63 917 572 2977 or send us an e-mail at reservationsteam@thefarm.com.ph. Visit www.thefarmatsanbenito.com

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