Issue 45 – October 2022

by PDOT Team | 21 Nov, 2022 | Newsletters, Travel Industry Updates

The Philippine Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board Philippines are leading the Philippine delegation to the World Travel Market (WTM) London to be held at the ExCel Exhibition Centre, Royal Docks E16 1XL on November 07-09, 2022.

More than 2,500 global exhibitors from 100+ countries will be present at the WTM, one of the world’s most important travel fairs.

Twenty companies composed of leading Philippine tour operators/DMCs and hotels/resorts specialising in the British and European markets are exhibiting at the WTM-Philippine Booth located at the Asia Pacific Hall AS600.

Apart from the face-to-face business appointments, the Philippine Booth will also feature cultural performances, local food demonstration and tasting, award-winning rum sampling, and raffle promotion for a free trip to the Philippines in partnership with Turkish Airlines.

The Philippines is also hosting a travel trade and media reception at the WTM-The Retreat (located near the Philippine Booth) on November 08 from 4:30PM to 6:00PM.

Last Call to Vote for the Philippines!

We are on a nomination streak at the 29th World Travel Awards. After winning in three categories in the Asian region, the Philippines is nominated in four of the World’s categories:

• World’s Leading Beach Destination 2022
• World’s Leading Dive Destination 2022
• Intramuros, Philippines – World’s Leading
Tourist Attraction 2023
• Siargao, Philippines – World’s Leading
Island Destination 2022
• Philippines, Department of Tourism –
World’s Leading Tourist Board 2022

Cast your votes by registering an account here: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/register Voting closes on November 20, 2022 at 12:00 midnight.

#WTA2022 #WorldTravelAwards2022

Source: DOT Office of Public Affairs & Advocacy

Siargao, a priority for Tourism Development — Frasco

“The message of the Marcos Administration is that tourism is a priority. And with that, Siargao is a priority. In the next few years, your island will continue to flourish in partnership with the national government,” DOT Secretary Frasco stressed.

Siargao, a priority for Tourism Development — Frasco

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco formally lauded the beginnings of the tourism recovery of Siargao Island during the opening ceremony of the 26th Siargao International Surfing Cup on Saturday (October 15).

“The resumption of this International Surfing Cup is not only a celebration of the fact that you have been able to put this up for 26 years, but also because you have been able to stage this notwithstanding everything that has come to pass…Truly, this international surfing cup is a celebration of the strength of spirit of the people of Siargao,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco remarked during her keynote address.

The tourism chief also announced that the DOT identified infrastructure and gateway access as key solutions to key destinations such as Siargao, stating that “the national government is here to help Siargao recover, is here to help Siargao rise to the primary position that it deserves in the world”.

A tourism-first island, Siargao welcomed 14,404 tourists, with the bulk coming from domestic tourists, at 12,870 and 1,534 foreign guests for the first semester of the year, according to the Provincial Tourism Office.

Among the line-up of side activities of the World Surf League (WSL)-sanctioned competition are surfing masterclasses, communal yoga, salsa, arts and cultural show, a bazaar, beachside bonfire, sound sessions, beach clean-up drive, and a free concert.

Also present during the opening ceremonies of the week-long festival are Representative Fransico Jose “Bingo” Matugas of the First District of Surigao del Norte, Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, Cebu Fifth District Board Member Michael “Mike” Villamor, Mrs. Toni Grace “TG” Villamor, 19th Congress Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, General Luna Mayor Sol Matugas, Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga, WSL Tournament Director Gerry Degan, William Vincent “Vinny” Marcos, Atty. Lalo Matugas, Former Mayor Cecilia “Yayang” Rusilion, DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, and DOT XIII Regional Director Nelia Arina.

Secretary Frasco also presented a one-million peso check to the Municipality of General Luna as a manifestation of the support of the national government to the international surfing competition of Siargao.

For non-surfers, the World Travel Award (WTA) 2022 World’s Leading Island Destination nominee, recently, reoffered a wide array of nature-based and sun and beach tourism activities at the Magpupungko Tidal Wave Pool in Pilar; tri-island hopping of Daku, Guyam, and Naked Island in General Luna; Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen; Sohoton Cove in Socorro; and Coconut Mountain View in Dapa.

Siargao was recently applauded as Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Island in Asia in 2021 and was included among Time Magazine’s list of “The World’s 100 Greatest Places of 2021”.

Source: DOT Office of Public Affairs & Advocacy

“DOT celebrates Philippines’ back to back wins at Conde Naste Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards; Boracay claims spot as top island in Asia anew”

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the Philippines’ back-to-back wins in the Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The world-renowned Island of Boracay was awarded the Top Island in Asia. Of the Top Ten Islands, Palawan ranked eighth. The Philippines was also awarded one of the Top Countries in the World ranking 30th.

“We are extremely grateful for these international awards for the Philippines based on the opinion and experience of travelers from all over the world. As we usher in this new era of travel post-pandemic, our focus is to continue building confidence towards travel to the country by ensuring improvement in ease of access, prioritizing tourist safety and convenience, and encouraging sustainable tourism practices,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco shared.

“Recognitions such as these affirm our efforts to herald not only our country’s natural wonders but also our readiness to become the premier tourist destination in Asia. The Department is one with all our tourism stakeholders, from the local government units, private sector partners, and our fellowmen in celebrating these victories for the Philippines from Condé Nast Traveler. We are confident that the acclaim for our flagship destinations will help garner more international interest for our country. With President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s thrust to expand and equalize tourism opportunities nationwide, the development and promotion of our other emerging destinations will follow suit soon,” the tourism chief added.

Palawan, which garnered an 88.99 rating, is joined by equally heralded island destinations from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Japan in the CNT Asia list.

“With the relaxation of the Philippines’ mask mandate and our efforts towards the continuous review and recalibration of the country’s existing health and safety protocols, taking into consideration the current health situation, and benchmarking on the best practices of ASEAN countries, our tourists can now all the more enjoy our nature-based tourism destinations like Boracay and Palawan all over the archipelago while still being assured that their health and well-being remain our priority,” the tourism chief added.

Other citations of the country in the CNT Readers’ Choice Awards, ranked by almost a quarter of a million voters, include Top Resort in Asia awards for Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort (5th), El Nido Resort – Pangulasian Island (8th), and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu (20th).

Insight Guides: Unmissable eco-adventures for your Philippines vacation

Home to coconut palm-fringed beaches, lush jungles, and miles of sapphire ocean, you don’t have to travel far in the Philippines for a postcard-perfect view. Yet this archipelago is more than just pretty to look at.

El Nido boat trip © R.M.Nunes/Shutterstock

Its natural environments are integral to local livelihoods, ancient traditions, and unique wildlife you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.

To protect this, the Philippines is dedicated to a greener future. Almost half of its total energy use comes from renewable sources, with Asia’s highest concentration of geothermal power.

Beaches like Boracay have famously closed for temporary stints, in order to recover from over-tourism. And to combat illegal wildlife activity, local groups have kickstarted initiatives that serve to educate visitors and fund conservation efforts.

As a traveler, participating in eco-tourism is one of the best ways you can support these efforts. Check out these unmissable eco-adventures to make your Philippines trip a sustainable one.

Kayakasia Firefly Kayaking Trail (Bohol)

The banks of Bohol’s Abatan river glimmer with the golden glow of pteroptyx macdermotti. This is one of the world’s rarest species of firefly, endemic to the mangrove forests that they light up like Christmas trees.

However, they are under threat from the use of tourist motorboats. The boats rip through the river and destroy their nests along the riverbank.

Kayakasia Philippines runs conservation kayak tours, where profit is invested into protecting the fireflies’ habitat. The organization also hires the children of local fishermen as guides. Atop a salary, Kayakasia has sent several alumni to college, creating social mobility within the community.

The tour will set you back 1,950 pesos ($36) per person. You’ll find their office just under five miles from Taglibaran. Once there, you’ll quietly paddle into the abyss of night, the stars (and fireflies) lighting the way.