Philippine Tourism Discovers New Opportunities in Asia

Philippine tourism via the Department of Tourism (DOT) has endorsed more than 20 billion Philippine Pesos worth of investments for 2009, composed of tourism-related facilities and establishments, generating almost 3,000 jobs and more than a 2,000 room capacity.

“With this initial list of investments, the country is assured of a vibrant tourism industry, with bigger revenues and more jobs. And consequently, these lead to developments in transportation and road infrastructures,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

The said tourism projects endorsed by the DOT are classified into nine resorts, six hotels, two theme parks and one condotel.

The following DOT-endorsed projects which opened in the first quarter of the year include: Park Bed & Breakfast Hotel and Restaurant (48 rooms) in Pasay; Sugihara Villa Resort, Vauban Villa Resort, Salamanca Villa Resort, Almonavides Villa Resort, La Galice Villa Resort, Kapangyarihan Villa Resort, and La Pucelle Villa Resort –Amanpulo group in Pamalican Island, Palawan (28 cluster villas); Oakwood Serviced Residences (232 rooms) in Pasig; Imperial Palace Water Park Resort and Spa (616 rooms) in Cebu; and Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa (217 rooms).

Set to launch in the months ahead are Discovery Bay Misibis, Manila Ocean Park (additional facilities), the Picasso Serviced Residences, Newport Marriot Hotel, Maxim’s Hotel, Microtel Inns and Suite Puerto Princesa, and Silang Wakeboard Park.

Meanwhile, endorsement of Bella Roca Island Resort and Spa in Marinduque, which is included in DOT’s list, is currently being processed by the agency.

“Jobs generated from these projects are likewise foreseen to augment the rise in unemployment in these challenging times,” added Eduardo Jarque Jr., DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions.

Upon registration with the Bureau of Investments, these Philippine tourism endorsed projects, “are eligible to avail of an income tax holiday for four to six years, and duty-free importation of selected capital equipment for operation of accommodations and facilities,” said Victoria Jasmin, DOT Director of Office of Tourism Standards.

Philippine Tourism Discovers New Opportunities in Asia

In the ITB Asia in Singapore, the largest travel trade show for the Asian region, the Philippines was among the top sellers where tourism products for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) and leisure segments were featured.

"Our presence in this inaugural ITB in Asia is significant, as we maintain our mark in the Asian region, where a huge growth potential is certain," said Joseph "Ace" Durano, Secretary of the Department of Philippine Tourism (DOT).

Peter Long, CEO of TUI Travel PLC, a leading European leisure travel company, on the other hand, said "We expect to see another 600 to 700 million people traveling from and within Asia over the next five years – and mainly to other Asian destinations."

"The focus on Asian travel buyers and sellers is timely, as there are many opportunities to be tapped with the emergence of the middle-class in China and India, as well as other source markets in the region," Durano stressed.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Jargue, Jr., Undersecretary for Philippine Tourism Planning and Promotions, agreed to this, saying, "Career women from Southeast Asia are looking for places where they can unwind, and our beaches are among the best. Incentive travel is booming for the Indian market, and ESL students from Korea continue to increase in number."

ITB Asia believes that growth means change, change means learning, and learning requires insight into crucial trends and developments.

"The country joining this milestone signals our strong place in the Asian tourism industry despite the economic slowdown this year," Jarque noted.

Rica Bueno, DOT head for Team Asia Pacific, and head of the Philippine delegation to ITB Asia, believes, "This is an effective way to promote our country to major buyers. It has been a focused trade show with a bigger scope, linking us to countries beyond the Asia region."

"We have positioned the Philippines as a destination of choice in Asia with a strong emphasis on leisure and incentive travel," she said.

The Philippine tourism booth in ITB Asia featured a diverse line-up of products and services. The colorful native-inspired booth was even livened up by business appointments with sought-after establishments Subic Bay, Microtel Inns and Suites, Crowne Plaza, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, Maribago Bluewater Resorts, Plantation bay Resort, Eskaya Resort in Bohol, Philippine Airlines, and the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

"The participating companies were very much enthusiastic with the event's turnout, with serious buyers from Asian countries expressing full interest in Philippine Tourism," Bueno said.

The ASEAN region reflected a 7.5-percent share of total arrivals, where Singapore indicated a strong potential for growth with the highest share at 2.8 percent.

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