23 February 2010
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Published on February 23rd, 2010 @ 08:13:30 am, using 187 words, 254 views
hilippine Airlines has announced the early deployment of its latest aircraft, a brand new Boeing 777-300ER to serve Sydney and Melbourne from this Saturday, February 20.
The aircraft’s arrival one month ahead of schedule will set new standards on the Australian routes, offering a larger and more spacious aircraft with wider seats, wider aisles, more headroom and seat-back video on demand throughout all cabins.
Its business class will offer the most modern features available on direct flights between Australia and Manila, including the only fully flat beds.
The 370-seat aircraft’s debut is part of a significant new investment in the Australian market by Philippine Airlines and will be followed by the March 18 launch of the carrier’s new twice-weekly A330 services from Brisbane.
A new schedule coinciding with the introduction of Brisbane services will see the 777 fly five times a week from Sydney to Manila and three times a week from Melbourne, in addition to another two Melbourne services each week aboard an Airbus A330.
Philippine Airlines is also working closely with wholesalers and the trade to offer a range of new Philippine holiday packages.
04 July 2009
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Published on July 4th, 2009 @ 11:08:58 am, using 186 words, 1015 views
By Arj
Graywall Resort, tucked away in the seaside town of White Beach Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, a 650 square meters landscaped, tropical resort with half mile long beach fronting the Batangas Strait. It is a secluded hideaway where tranquility and activity meet.
A place which sets you free to do and enjoy things out of the ordinary in a convivial setting of sun, sea and sand. Laze in a hammock under the palm trees, dive or snorkel for a look-see at beautiful marine life, explore the resort by pathways or jet skies or simply enjoy beautiful Graywall tropical setting.
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Graywall Resort is now offering a low-season package for as low as Php2,900.00 only per person including 3 days and 2 nights stay, transportation from Manila to Puerto Galera to Manila, FREE breakfast and welcome drinks. The best offer ever in a peaceful and memorable place for your family and friends. This special offer last until October 15, 2009 only, for inquiries and reservation you can visit the website at www.graywallresort.com or call the manila hotline +632.3033772 / +632.4501565 look for the reservation officers Ryan or Roma / email: info@graywallresort.com.
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Published on July 4th, 2009 @ 10:48:36 am, using 656 words, 1411 views
Philippines is one of the dive paradise haven in the world. Because the 7,101 islands Philippines is surround by crystal blue water, it has many dive sites that tourist can visit and explore the thrills of the deep sea. Divers around the world was so amazed of the dive sites here in the country that they keep on returning to back to dive. The Philippine waters is full of colorful, exotic and different underwater wildlife that divers around the world would like to explore.
Philippines is located in the center of the coral triangle which boasts of the most biodiversity and marine-rich waters on earth. Because of this, Philippines is called as Asia’s Dive Capital according to the Department of Tourism. Philippines is known to the world to have more than 500 coral species and more than 2,000 species of exotic marine fish in the world.
Philippines has many dive sites, here the popular world-class dive destinations that divers around the world always visit.
1. Anilao: This dive spot is the favorite diving destination of local divers that came from Manila. Because this is very close to Manila, it became the weekend paradise. Anilao dive site is located at the southeast tip of Batangas.
2. Coron Bay: This dive destination is located in Busuanga island, Palawan and is also the home of the wreck Japanese World War Ships. This is also the one of the best wreck dive site in the world. In the waters of Coron Bay, you will find limestone walls which rise to heights of 22 meters offering a spectacular view above and below water.
3. Moalboal: This dive spot is located in Cebu. Moalboal boasts the Pescador and Sunken Islands where it is one o the favorites of the underwater photographers, divers and snorkelers. Moalboal has a beautiful reek that it house beautiful marine life such as eagle rays, turtles, devil fish, white tips, moray eels and etc.
4. Puerto Galera: This dive destination has the most beautiful natural harbor in the world. Puerto Galera is known as the Pearl of Mindoro. Puerto Galera has world-beach resorts, coral reefs and beautiful dive sites.
5. Apo Reef: This dive destination is located in the west coast of the island of Mindoro. Apo reef has an amazing drop-offs and walls. Divers love to dive in this site because has an excellent visibility and is good for photography. Here at Apo Reef, you will find big school of fish like tuna, barracuda, trevally, hammerheads, white and black tip reef sharks, manta, eagle and sting rays, and turtles.
6. Malapascua: This dive destination is also the home of the world-famous beach resorts. Malapascua has beautiful coral gardens and excellent dive spots. If you would like to see thresher shark everyday then Malapascua will not disappoint you.
7. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park: This marine park is located in the southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This marine park is composed of two beautiful reef systems - the North Reef and the South Reef. You can see rare species of endangered sea turtles as well as rare species of exotic fish.
8. Apo Island: This dive destination is the most populous and diverse aquatic ecosystem in the world. This ecosystems was replicated at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on a 27,000 sq. ft. area costing million. Apo Island is located in Negros Oriental.
9. Balicasag Island: This dive site destination is located in Bohol. This island is surrounded by coral reef that it is good for diving and snorkeling. There is a marine sanctuary at the southern side of the island and you can see soft and hard corals there. You find exotic marine life such as anemone, crinoids, sponges, barracuda, jacks and etc.
10. Subic Bay: This dive destination is one of the best wreck dive site in Asia. It has 25 Japanese war ships that sunk during World War II. Subic Bay is best for wreck divers.
04 May 2009
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Published on May 4th, 2009 @ 01:20:47 am, using 140 words, 592 views
An ordinance by the provincial government of Bohol aims to restrict the public viewing of captive tarsiers in the island. The restriction has recently been made to protect the population and natural habitat of tarsiers in Bohol.
The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is the only body that is sanctioned to do public viewing of the tarsiers in Bohol. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc., is the only sanctuary with the area, facility, and expertise to handle the conservation and preservation of the Philippine Tarsier and thus was given the exemption.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 38 included the Philippine Tarsier among the national protected wildlife species. The Philippine Tarsier is native to the island of Bohol.
Issues with existing owners of tarsiers and breeders who has raised tarsiers in captivity remains a debate.
30 April 2009
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Published on April 30th, 2009 @ 10:57:53 am, using 272 words, 588 views
by Kenny Lim
MANILA - The Department of Tourism, Philippines, has collaborated with MTV Asia for an integrated drive to showcase the country to youth markets across the globe.
Launched across 12 countries - Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, the UK and US, the ‘MTV Revelations’ campaign employs digital media channels to create an integrated push while also featuring well-known Filipino celebrity, Christine Gambito, or Happy Slip, as its ambassador for Philippine Tourism.
The first phase has kicked off through a website that includes an online contest, various clips of specific destinations in the Philippines to create dream holidays plus vignettes of MTV VJs enjoying themselves. The clips are also broadcasted through MTV channel feeds across the region.
“MTV Revelations was conceptualized specifically to target youth travel. By interconnecting and engaging the youth audience via on-air, online and social media, MTV provides the diverse platforms to reach out effectively to the youth target markets. The Philippines presents a rich, unique and diverse travel experience that only the Philippines can bring and we want to extend the this experience by reaching out to the MTV audience,” said Philippines Department of Tourism Secretary, Ace Durano.
“As the undisputed brand most synonymous with youth, MTV embodies youth culture, music, lifestyle and travel across the globe. We are excited about the MTV Revelations campaign and we are ready to kick off a series of planned activities throughout the year that will engage and involve the youth audience in promoting the Philippines as an ideal tourist destination,” added Indra Suharjono, executive vice-president and managing director of MTV Networks, Southeast Asia and Greater China.
24 March 2009
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Published on March 24th, 2009 @ 10:15:59 pm, using 273 words, 456 views
The most awaited (GD) Gunther Deichmann's Photo Safari/Workshop is now officially open for registration and AGAIN this photo safari / workshop will be held at SIAM REAP, CAMBODIA on September this year. Exact date and further details will be plug very soon on GD's blog, so if you're interested you can register now and experience the mystery and color of Cambodia at its BEST!
Announcement from GD Blog:
Due to popular demand I have posted some more details on the GD Photo Workshop for this coming September in Siem Reap Cambodia, see below the details:
Cambodia Photo Safari / Workshop
This workshop will include the Tonle Sap Lake and the Water Village, furthermore we be exploring some ancient Temples/Ruins seldom visited by others except you.
Of course we still visit and shoot at Angkor Wat during Sunrise and Sunset, plus a lot more during this trip.
As you know I am always good for a surprise or two...
Total lengths of the Workshop is from Sunday (exact date to be announced in May) to Saturday (7 nights in a luxury Boutique Hotel) Photography in the field, the workflow and critic after the shoot - class room sessions at the Hotel...but don’t worry we spend more time in the field and get the shot right in the first place.
More details; what to bring, cost per person, etc., will be available in May, but participants can travel from their Home destination to Siem Reap in Cambodia direct, upon arrival we have made all the necessary arrangements for your transport to the Hotel.
You can contact me @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/contact/contact.php
GD
19 March 2009
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Published on March 19th, 2009 @ 03:12:06 pm, using 1006 words, 354 views
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by GIBBS CADIZ
PUERTO GALERA, Philippines — Amid imperiled economies all over the world, with travel and leisure among the biggest industries to be hit by the downturn, some Philippine tourism experts—practitioners as well as policy hands—are pinning their hopes on a sector that might yet prove to be recession-proof: scuba divers.
"It's an upscale market, certainly not for the backpacker type," said Yvette Lee, director for marketing and media affairs of a company that operates a mix of resorts and diving boats aimed mostly at foreign, usually European, divers.
The company's typical "Liveaboard" package of seven nights on a specially outfitted diving boat and three nights on shore in a first-class resort cost around 1900 Euros. A rather steep price, but "it's a top-tier package that brings you to some of the best diving sites in the Philippines, and even 100 Euros can go a long way here," explained Lee. "That amount is inclusive of meals and accommodations already, so it's a pretty good package."
Proof that the market for diving in Philippine waters remains on the upswing is that, even if the summer season hasn't started yet, Lee said her company's trips to the Tubbataha Reef are almost fully booked for the year.
"The Philippines as a diving destination is relatively low-cost, so it will remain attractive," echoed a (Puerto Galera dive operator). "In Puerto Galera alone, there are 25 to 30 diving sites within 15 minutes of each other, so it's very convenient.
Exhibit
Philippine-based tour operators joined the Department of Tourism's (DOT) participation in France's premiere diving exhibit Salon de la Plongée, held a week ago at the Parc des Expositions-Porte de Versailles in Paris.
They were in Paris with DOT to try to capture a significant chunk of France's diving market. The French are among the world's most enthusiastic divers. Around 400,000 are registered practitioners, members of some 2,500 active clubs around the country.
Salon de la Plongée is, in effect, their exhibit—an international fair that brings together French and foreign exhibitors specializing in diving. Last year, it hosted more than 400 exhibitors and around 40,000 general public visitors, majority of whom held Grade 2 (Advanced level) diving skills on the French grading system.
The fair offered not only an array of global diving destinations, but also companies and brands hawking all manner of diving gear and accessories, even lessons in a large indoor pool.
The Philippines was "Destination of the Year" in the 2008 exhibition, a distinction that, with the country's extensive exposure on the TV show "Koh-lanta" (the French version of "Survivor"), resulted in greater awareness of the Philippines as an alternative leisure destination for the French.
According to DOT records, French tourists accounted for the highest percentage growth (24.4 percent) among European visitors to the Philippines in 2007. From January to October 2008, despite the creeping economic squeeze, French arrivals still managed a respectable 20.94-percent increase. This makes France one of the country's fastest-growing tourist markets in Europe today.
Not only are the French, and European tourists in general, high spenders, they also stay in the country longer—around 10 days, spending around 100 US dollars a day. It's not hard to see why, said Mark Sutch, France country manager for Cathay Pacific, which has the biggest share—about 45 percent—of the French tourist market to the Philippines.
"You've got a fantastic array of diving sites, the sites are relatively unspoiled, Filipinos are a very welcoming people, and European visitors get a lot of value for their money, with hotel prices, food and drinks very affordable," he pointed out. Sutch himself dived in Philippine waters during his stint as Cathay's country manager in Manila a few years ago.
"If the Euro remains strong, the Philippines will remain a very affordable and attractive destination," said Sutch. "People into diving are very passionate about it; the industry will hold up, I believe."
"We'll just have to offer them the right package," said Venus Tan, Philippine tourism attache for the Western, Central and Eastern European markets.
"Travel is sacred to the Europeans, and with 'Koh-lanta' and other French diving operators featuring the Philippines as their main diving destination, we've created a buzz as far as this niche product is concerned. It's one of our strongest suits—we have the highest marine bio-diversity in the world!—and we have to stay in this market and build on it."
Different breed
French tourists, said Tan, are a different breed. Generally they want rustic surroundings and greater interaction with local people and culture. "They don't like staying in concrete structures. They don't just stay in the resort to dive, they want to immerse themselves in local food, to talk with people. That's an advantage for us, because we're very sociable. The impression always is that Filipinos are very friendly and hospitable."
Tan is looking at another sub-set of the market—airline employees with travel privileges, a big sector in Europe—to buoy the market, through active advertising and editorial presence in consumer magazines, newsletters and other publications.
The sustained PR campaign the last two years has resulted in many French travel firms taking a second look at the Philippines.
About 14 major French diving operators have or are featuring the country in their 2008-2009 campaigns, while Nouvelles Frontieres, one of France's biggest tour operators, pushed the Philippines as a top destination in its sprawling exhibit booth and dive brochures.
Air France, too, devoted 17 pages of its in-flight magazine to Philippine destinations, while the popular French Travel Guide had nine pages of pictures of Bohol, Palawan and other main attractions.
"Our goal is to make the Philippines a destination that can compete with the Caribbean and the Red Sea among French divers," said Tan. "Divers will travel to dive, and we're here."
What about French tourists who aren't too keen on diving? The country, it seems, has got them covered, too.
In March this year, another international fair called Destinations Nature! will open in the same venue. The focus this time is eco-tourism, and its featured destination: The Philippines. Vive le honeymoon.
14 March 2009
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Published on March 14th, 2009 @ 12:31:49 am, using 800 words, 609 views
Author: Mediatrix P. Cristobal
MANILA, March 14 (PNA) - The gentle butandings of Donsol, emerald beaches of Visayas and other cultural heritage sites across the country sum up why 3.14 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines in 2008.
The country, which is experiencing a surge in interest among rich vacationers and backpackers despite the global financial crisis, has identified its tourism industry as a veritable minefield that has been keeping the Philippine economy afloat by having locals engaged in the tourism business.
“Under the Grassroots Entrepreneurship and Employment in Tourism (GREET) program, the focus will be the participation of the community, among others,” Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said.
GREET is a component of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visionary program called Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) which initially intended to provide employment for Filipino workers who have trouble finding jobs and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by massive layoffs abroad.
Due to the reeling effects of the global financial crisis, President Arroyo expanded CLEEP and poured on more budget, P10 billion to be exact, to help Filipinos through programs involving jobs generation, skills training, business financing and other measures that can help them get through the economic crunch.
Tourism has proved to be a rich source of employment. In Bicol region alone, 86,996 jobs were created out of tourism during the second quarter of 2008. Estimated receipts amounted to P168 million.
In Donsol, Sorsogon where the famous Butanding sightings are frequent, Durano led the Tourism department in promoting a program called Turismo Mismo (TM), a program that underscores the role of tourism in uplifting the lives of local communities in poverty-stricken areas of the countryside, particularly the Bicol region.
Durano granted financial assistance to the Butanding Boat Owners Association to improve and upgrade boat facilities and safety features for use of both local and foreign tourists.
The program has contributed socio-economic solution to the community as at least 60 people, some of whom were former communist insurgents, have returned to normal living and are now advocates of ecotourism following their trainings in the TM program.
GREET and TM are twin programs that seek to enhance livelihood opportunities among micro-entrepreneurs in the tourism industry while advocating environmentally sustainable and socially equitable practices in local communities, particularly in Donsol—the whale shark capital of the world, and one of the better ecotourism destinations in the country.
Leyte and Samar are lucky as well.
Under the TM program, the Himokilan Tourism Council of the island barangay of Himokilan in Hindang, Leyte, was awarded with a P100,000 funding for the construction of 1 unit motorized banca in Himokilan Island and development of a mini-park and resort with cottages and telescopic viewing deck.
Himokilan Island is just one of the Philippines’ hidden treasures, the largest island of the Cuatro Islas where the big delicious coconut-cracking crabs called “tatus” are found. It is a potential dive site, but is currently declared as marine sanctuary, allowing only snorkeling for recreation activity.
The Cambaro Cave Protectors and Farmers Association will be given P100,000 for its Tour Guiding, Food and Beverage and Accommodation Project. The project calls for the setting up of tour guiding, accommodation facilities, food and beverage facilities and souvenir shops at Cambaro, Macrohon, Southern Leyte.
GREET is a CLEEP component mainly implemented in Regions VI and VIII, where a huge chunk of tourist visits is seen.
In Region VIII, the DOT allocated an initial funding of about P730,000 for the first six beneficiaries of the Grassroots Entrepreneurship in Tourism (GREET).
A P100,000 funding will be given for the construction of Colorful Wooden Boats for Rent at Barangay Lake Danao in Ormoc City; the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar will be given a P100,000 grant for the purchase of surfing equipment such as long board leg ropes for their Surfing School at Barangay Bato in Borongan City.
The Basey Tourism Services Association of Basey, Samar, will be given a P230,000 funding for its Community-Based Sustainable Tourism Project which calls for the construction of a floating restaurant going to the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge.
These tourism-booster programs aim to benefit from the tourism industry as much as neighboring countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia, among others, do from thousands of visitors who flock to see their temples, parks and cities.
CLEEP was also designed to protect the most vulnerable sectors from threats and consequences of reduced or loss of income as a result of the global financial crisis by providing emergency employment and funding and supervising livelihood projects.
It is aimed at achieving two crucial objectives: to build the capacities of Filipino workers and afford them the skills they need to compete in tougher job markets; and to create as many jobs as possible in the least possible amount of time for the poor through investments in public works and enterprise development.
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