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WOW Philippines E-Newsletter - NOVEMBER 2008
In this issue:
• Message from the Tourism Attaché
• Activities
• Tourism News
• Destination of the month
• Travel Trends 2008
• Upcoming Events
Message from the Tourism Attaché
Your spa indulgence in The Philippines
The Philippines spa industry is relatively young and small compared with other countries in terms of size, but we have the most effective tools for healing - our skillful hands and our sincere hearts.
In the Philippines, health tourism integrates the use of traditional healing techniques using local herbs and applications of indigenous healing methods.
Moreover, it is believed the Philippines has a competitive edge in health destinations because of the presence of many mystical healing mountains (one of them is Mt. Banahaw) and natural places such as hot springs and other healing resorts that have curative and even rejuvenating effects.
Spas which feature mineral salt or marine herb scrubs abound in the metropolis of Manila, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao and continue to increase in number. Many of these introduced herbal remedies, cosmetics, organic and natural products such as muscovado sugar, fresh bananas, coconut virgin oil and vegetable chips.
With the growing market demand for wellness services, the Department of Tourism has devised Medicinal Health Tourism packages which incorporate four major components such as medical, health beauty and travel. This project aims to attract tourists by promoting health-related service and facilities in addition to regular amenities.
Ms. Gerosel Siquian
Tourism Attaché
PHILIPPINE TOURISM OFFICE
DoT Activities
DOT Philippines booth at ITB Asia well received
The DOT Philippines booth at ITB Asia 2008 in Singapore was well received by buyers and trade visitors. The inaugural ITB Asia B2B travel show saw better than expected attendance with 6,208 delegates joining the three-day event.
Buyers and trade visitors arrived from 70 countries. In total, there were representatives from 90 countries at the event.
Initial survey results from delegates have shown an 86% overall approval rating for the inaugural event. Over 95% said they would recommend their business partners to attend ITB Asia. More than 94% said they would visit ITB Asia 2009. The next ITB Asia takes place 21-23 October, 2009.
Strong fundamentals to insulate The Philippines economy
President Arroyo says strong economic fundamentals make The Philippines resilient against global shocks
Buttressed by strong economic fundamentals, the Philippines is more resilient than ever before and it will continue its economic growth even in the face of a feared global recession next year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in a speech at the Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
The President discussed her administration’s food and energy security and fiscal programs crafted to enable the country to withstand external shocks arising from the global economic slowdown and the financial turmoil gripping the US.
Although the Philippines is not insulated from the global economic slowdown, the country’s projected growth of 4.3 percent this year and 4.2 percent in 2009 is “generally very positive” compared to the market situation in the Americas, Europe and Japan.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) foresees that the performance of the global economy would also be affected given the problems of the United States, the world's largest economy.
The IMF is projecting the global economy, which grew 4.9 percent in 2007, to drop considerably this year, including a worst-case scenario of global growth dropping to 3 percent or even less in 2009, which could result in global recession.
Tourism News
Opportunity in crisis for Philippines health and wellness industry
The DOT Philippines hosted "Embracing Health and Wellness in the Heart of Asia", the region’s biggest medical tourism and wellness summit at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila from October 22 to 25.
Tourism undersecretary Cynthia L. Carrion said the time was right for the Philippines to market itself as a health and wellness destination as the cost of treatment in the country is lower. Carrion said the first and greatest misconception that the summit addressed is that the Philippines had "third world" health care.
“We have the best doctors, the best medical training centers and the so-called Centers for Excellence in medical care providing the latest and high-tech aesthetic treatments for anti-aging and rejuvenation to serious weight-loss procedures like bariatric surgery,” she said.
“As the world reels from the credit crisis, they are also in crisis on health," said Carrion, who handles sports tourism and wellness at the Department of Tourism.
"With the financial crisis, many will now have to find other areas where they could still get quality medical care using their available insurance coverage and yet keep extra money," she added.
In the Philippines, she said, the cost of one surgery in a reputable hospital is just US$7,000 compared to US$25,000 in the US.
The DOT also promotes traditional wellness and holistic healing like hilot or touch therapy and even alternative medicine practitioners, including herbalists, homeopaths, acupuncturists, Pranic healers, Reiki practitioners and yogic healers. The Philippines is also home to destination and day spas as respite from the stresses of work and play.
Medical tourists in the Philippines now account for 10 per cent of the total number of accommodated patients by hospitals, double from 5 per cent two years ago. Revenue from medical tourists clocks in at slightly below P1 billion annually. Carrion said in two to four years, revenues from healthcare tourism could reach P$2 billion.
Climate impact on global tourism
Climate change, persistent poverty, wars and environmental protection have significant impact on tourism all over the world, whether those of island-nations or continental countries.
These factors dominated the discussions in the 6th United Nations International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities held in Cebu. Delegates from 157 countries attended the forum from October 22 to 25.
“These are pressing issues that the tourism industry is facing, and tourism professionals should address and prepare for these. This tourism forum is indeed of utmost significance, as it signals our responsiveness to the present and future challenges in tourism,” said Tourism Secretary, Ace Durano. The forum also tackled other issues like ethics in tourism and the economics of tourism.
Asian speakers in the forum included Dr. Sasithara Pichaichannarong, permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who talked on sustainable development; and Shahram Saber, regional director of the Philippine Asia Travel Association (Pata), who discussed climate change.
Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, presented a case study on the Coral Triangle and the efforts of concerned governments in Southeast Asia to promote initiatives and opportunities in tourism and travel that contribute to climate-change mitigation and adaptation.
Philippines pursues community tourism
The Department of Tourism (DoT) is pursuing community tourism through a partnership with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Foundation.
Volunteer association GK builds colorful houses for indigent families and strives to eradicate poverty and inequity in the Philippines through educational and community programs.
DoT will promote GK villages as community tourism destinations and is training 120 GK women delegates as guides through a workshop on Tourist Reception and Guiding Techniques for GK's Mabuhay Ladies, a group of women from the various GK villages around Metro Manila.
DoT Tourism Investments Promotions Group head and Office of Tourism Standards director, Ms Victoria Jasmin, said: "This will be greatly beneficial to international tourism since volunteers from different countries are always excited to visit and take part in GK activities."
DoT has created the Communities Benefiting through Tourism (CBT) programme and is working with the International Trade Center, a joint agency of the UN and the WTO, to develop and promote local community products from various provinces around the country.
Pagcor joins divers’ team in ocean cleanup
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) supported a team of scuba divers as they recently took a break from fun diving to clean the ocean floor in Anilao, Batangas.
Melanie Felix, Pagcor’s environment and tourism ambassadress joined Divenet Philippines in celebrating the International Ocean Clean-up Day, an event spearheaded annually by scuba divers across the globe. Together with the divers and the Pagcor team, she helped collect loads of non-biodegradable waste from the waters and shoreline of Balayan Bay.
"It is unfortunate that a lush environment such as this is being taken for granted. I hope that more and more people will recognize the significance of preserving the natural treasures of this planet," Felix, a Filipino-American national who bagged the first Ms. Pagcor International title said.
Joy Castillo, president of Divenet Philippines expressed her gratitude to Pagcor for supporting their groups’s environmental crusade. "As diving enthusiasts, we are living testimonies of how marvelous the world underwater is. But these amazing treasures are on the brink of destruction because of pollution, global warming among the other environmental issues," she said.
She added that with Pagcor’s effort to support their cause, more and more corporations might also include earth-saving campaigns in their social responsibility programs.
According to Pagcor chairman Efraim C. Genuino, environmental preservation should be a commitment of everyone. "We only have one planet. Unfortunately, its resources and natural beauty are dwindling so fast because of human irresponsibility. If we will take a stand in environmental preservation, then the future generation can still experience the beauty of this living planet," he said.
Puerto Laiya takes shape
Porto Laiya is a coastal getaway that is taking shape on the southern shores of Barangay Laiya Ibabao, San Juan, Batangas. Now in the process of being developed by the Active Group, the same developer behind the world-class Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club, Porto Laiya is envisioned to become a premium beach resort and residential community development that will have the best of affordable seaside living.
Spread over 22 hectares, it will be a cool, cozy escape from the more hectic shores of neighboring coastal towns. Porto Laiya is accessible via a scenic two-hour drive from Manila. From Manila one can reach Porto Laiya along two access roads through Lipa City or through San Pablo City via the South Luzon Expressway.
One can enjoy the laidback beach lifestyle at Porto Laiya. On offer is a dazzling ocean view and this is going to be complemented by the planned beach club with full recreational amenities, including beach and water sports facilities, casitas, spa, specialty food outlets, open-air stage, nursery and children’s playground, among others. Aside from the residential component, Porto Laiya will also feature future beach resort condominiums with unobstructed views of the sea.
With the Active Group creatively transforming San Juan, Batangas’ newest landmark development, Porto Laiya will soon take affordable seaside living to the next level, and is set to boom as a destination in its own right.
Agency aims for 4m retirees in 10 years
The Philippine Retirement Authority, an attached agency of the Trade Department, is drawing up new policies to promote the advantages of choosing the Philippines as a second home.
There are currently 20,000 retirees nationwide who are registered with the agency. But officials said the numbers are not representative of the actual number of retirees residing in the country.
“In Angeles, for instance, there are about 5,000 retirees there but less than 1 percent are registered with the agency. In Dumaguete City, less than 1,000 are registered,” said Reynaldo Lingat, general manager of the retirement authority.
To register with the retirement authority, those aged between 35 and 49 must place a US$50,000 deposit, while those aged 50 years old and above, must put a deposit of US$20,000, or $10,000 for those who have pensions.
Retirees, who register with the authority, enjoy a host of perks, including the opportunity to work in the Philippines.
Retirement condotels in the Philippines
At least 10 foreign retirement homes, led by a US$1.37-billion condotel of a Chinese developer, will rise all over the country as the Philippines positions itself as a retirement haven.
Edgar B. Aglipay, chairman of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), said these investments have been firmed up within the year and are to be completed in three to five years to host foreign retirees. Retirement is one component of the government’s campaign for the Philippines to become a health and wellness center in Asia.
Aglipay said retirees currently comprise just two per cent of the annual tourist arrivals with a greater percentage still going to medical tourism. Apart from beautiful locations, the Philippines offers world-class medical care and support to medical retirees as well as lower cost of living that would allow retirees to live comfortably using their pensions.
Sunshine 100 International, will build a condotel along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue near Mall of Asia and on Sheridan Avenue in Mandaluyong. Another Chinese group would build two condominium buildings in Binondo with 350 rooms each.
For the Korean market, four developments are expected, one each in Subic, Pampanga, Baguio City and Lapu Lapu City. The one in Lapu Lapu City by BXT Corp. would develop and operate a 556 standard and suite rooms hotel condominium.
For the Muslim market, a Malaysian firm would build a City Garden hotel in Cebu. A number of small-sized home care developments - about 100 rooms each - are being developed to cater to Filipino-American retirees.
These developments would boost the country’s position to become a retirement haven. Traditional destinations include Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao, Subic and the Fort where retirees from the US, Europe and Asia reside.
Aglipay said the Philippines’ retirement industry still has potential as young retirees aged 45 to 55 years are expected to number a billion in 2010. Retirees aged 65 and above from traditional markets like Japan, Korea, US, Europe and China are expected to reach 425 million by 2015.
The PRA said the industry aims to attract a million foreign retirees settling in the country in 2015, generating $44 billion revenues and 4 million local jobs
SMX Convention Center adds new dimension to Philippine MICE landscape
Since opening in November 2007, the SMX Convention Center has hosted several big events, including the Philippine College of Physicians convention, an Opus Dei gathering with 14,000 delegates, the World Marketing Conference, Philippine Fashion Week, and the Energy Summit.
Next on its international calendar are the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Congress 2009, the Eco Products Expo 2009, the 8th Asian Oncological Society, and the 33rd Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2011.
The 46,000m2 facility is located at the Mall of Asia Complex. Its facilities are continuously being enhanced. A Travel Cafe Philippines outlet opened in August, and other services such as cybercafes, coffee shops, media centre and a business centre will emerge within the year.
Three new meeting rooms that can double up as executive lounges will open this year. An 8,000m2 to 10,000m2 annexe behind the existing centre will be unveiled in 2010. The two-storey annexe will have three to four exhibition halls, three function rooms, and six to eight meeting rooms. It will be flanked by a convention hotel and an outdoor landscaped plaza for al fresco events.
SMX will eventually be complemented by two new events venues at the Mall of Asia Complex. Opening in mid-2011 is The Arena, a sports and multi-purpose venue. The Arena will accommodate 12,000 for basketball games, 15,000 for concerts and 16,000 for boxing matches. It will have 20 corporate suites, function rooms, fine-dining establishments and food kiosks.
Retractable seats at ground level also allow it cater to large plenary sessions. To rise between The Arena and SMX is a three-storey carpark with a landscaped roofdeck for themed corporate events for up to 2,000 people. Elevated covered walkways will connect all the buildings at the Mall of Asia Complex.
Developer SM Investments Corporation is exporting the SMX brand to at least five key Philippine cities, including Cebu and Bacolod. By 2010, SMX Cebu will open next to SM Mall and Sofitel Cebu Real hotel. SMX Bacolod will follow shortly at Visayan city’s SM Mall complex.
Philippines to host Asean conference on “Womenomics”
The Philippines through the National Council of Women of the Philippines, will be hosting the ASEAN Regional Conference on Womenomics and the 13th ASEAN Confederation of Women Organizations (ACWO) General Assembly on November 20-23 at the Manila Hotel.
Dr. Amelou Reyes who is the president of the National Council of Women of the Philippines and president of the ASEAN Confederation of Women Organizations, informed that
The theme of the Conference is " ASEAN Womenomics: Empowering Women and Expanding their Participation in the Globalized Economy."
The conference will bring together government officials, women leaders, managers, policy makers, development workers, educators, entrepreneurs and students from the ten ASEAN member nations, ASEAN plus Three (China, Japan, Korea), and dialogue partners from USA, Canada, Australia and other countries.
The conference promotes Womenomics as a development strategy to alleviate poverty and intensify women empowerment at the national, regional and local levels. It aims to give economic value to women's contributions in the global economy.
According to The Economist, the future of the world economy lies increasingly in female hands. The increase in female employment has been the main driving force of growth; these women have contributed more to global GDP growth than have either new technology, or the new giants India and China.
Heritage seminar on Philippines towns and cities
The Heritage Conservation Society, together with the City Government of Zamboanga, Urban Partnerships Foundation (UPF), and the Philippines Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) is organizing the "3rd Seminar on Philippine Towns and Cities: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future" on Saturday, 8 November 2008 at the Grand Orchid Hotel, Gov. Cummins Ave., Zamboanga City.
The seminar will examine current problems related to urban planning, management and revitalization. There will be welcome cocktails and a cultural presentation for all delegates and participants on Friday, 7 November at 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Grand Orchid Hotel sponsored by the Zamboanga City Government.
The seminar is sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Manila Historical & Heritage Commission (MHHC), Social Security System (SSS), Phil. Amusement & Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), Phil. Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Lepanto Tiles.
For more information, contact the Heritage Conservation Society at (02) 5212239 or hcs_secretariat@yahoo.com / info@heritage.org.ph
Destination of the Month
Top ecotourism spots in The Philippines
The Philippines is considered one of the world's best ecotourism destinations. The country is blessed with vast pastoral lands and lush mountains, extensive coastlines ringed by unspoiled beaches, and deep blue waters offering about 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs teeming with marine life.
However, these destinations are facing threats of environmental degradation, especially places heavily visited by tourists. The Department of Tourism (DoT), together with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is promoting ecotourism and sustainable development to protect the country's natural diversity.
With ecotourism, tourists take on the observer status to give due respect to the local community and their environment. The socio-economic benefits are directed to the community, while tourists benefit from the opportunity to experience nature's unadulterated grandeur and contribute to its preservation.
Sorsogon Located in the southern part of Bicol Peninsula, Sorsogon boasts of rolling hills and valleys that are carpeted with varying foliage. Travel to Donsol and witness for yourself the phenomenon that is the butanding or whale sharks, which has brought this once sleepy town to its feet.
Guimaras Tourists flock to Guimaras to see its 238.3-kilometer coastline, with long stretches of white, powdery sand considered among the worlds finest. It also prides itself in producing the sweetest mangoes in the world - the carabao mango.
Palawan Branded as the country's last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. And with more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and caves. It is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.
Banaue With tall rice terraces at the backdrop and cool breeze shuttling between mountain peaks, a journey across the Cordillera's Banaue rice terraces exposes one to an atmosphere strangely different from the daily offering of Manila and its suburbs. More importantly, it provides a peek into the ancient Philippine civilization.
Bohol
It is situated in the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. The Chocolate Hills, all of 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, are undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction in the province. It is also one of Asia's best diving destinations. Pamilacan Island is frequented by many diving enthusiasts for its whales and manta rays.
Pangasinan
Lose yourself among the Hundred Islands, scattered like emeralds in the deep blue waters off Pangasinan. This National Park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares with 123 islands. Only three islands have been developed for tourists namely: Governor, Quezon and Children's islands. Explore its numerous diving spots and caves.
Cagayan De Oro Aside from being a white water rafting destination, in which it is best known for, it also houses a nature park - the Malasag EcoTourism Village, a 7.2hectare park etched with nature and eco-trails. Here, one finds a microcosm of all ethnic cultures in Northern Mindanao. It is nestled within the slopes of Cugman Watershed in Cagayan de Oro City and was dreamily inspired by the picturesque gardens of Granada in Spain and Butchart Gardens of Canada.
South Cotabato Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is recognized as one of the most important watershed areas in the country and its 92,450-hectare landscape is proclaimed as a protected area. The entire protected area consists of many small streams, creeks, rivers, and springs. Lake Sebu is one of the water bodies that provide irrigation water for rice lands throughout the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
Cebu Olango Island, just four kilometers off the east coast of Mactan Island in Cebu, is site of a 920-hectare protected wetland called the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (OIWS). Every year from February to April and from September to November, the OIWS serves as refuge to thousands of migratory birds traveling the East Asian Migratory Flyway, one of the most important shorebird and waterbird migratory flyways in the world. The Olango Birds and Seascape Tour offer a front-seat view of the wonderful world of birds and nature.
Travel Trends 2008
Metro Manila hotels switch to peso rates
Hotel rates in Metro Manila have gone up in 2008 and the weak US dollar has caused hotels to start charging in pesos this year. Greater demand has resulted in a seller’s market as most deluxe hotels run at occupancies of 75 to 80 per cent.
Bay area hotels are charging an average of 3,498 pesos (US$79.50) from January to June 2008, compared to 3,191 pesos during the same period last year. The increases were more significant in hotels in other parts of the metropolis. The average room rate (ARR) of Makati hotels increased to 6,779 pesos from January to June 2008, compared to last year’s 5,811 pesos. Hotels in Ortigas, Alabang and Quezon City had a combined ARR of 4,592 pesos, compared to 3,800 last year. At Pan Pacific Hotel Manila, the ARR is now 5,200 pesos. had renovated products.” At the Edsa Shangri-La Manila, rates went up by more than 10 per cent this year. Discovery Suites also enacted a 15 per cent increase this year. The outlook for Metro Manila hotel occupancies is expected to get even healthier in 2009 as the majority of new rooms will only come online from 2010 onwards. Waterfront Hotels & Resorts is planning a 10 to 15 per cent rate increase in its two Manila properties next year. The Dusit Thani Manila, fresh from a rebranding exercise and renovation, is hoping to grow rates and occupancy next year by targeting more corporate business. Edsa Shangri-La will likewise switch to charging pesos while rates continue to rise. Discovery Suites is planning a minimal increase if the global economic downturn continues into 2009. There will be 1,000 new rooms in Metro Manila from 2010 onwards. Until then, most hotels are maximising the opportunity to earn.
Upcoming Events
DOT Philippines confident birdwatching tours will take wing
DOT Secretary Ace Durano expressed extreme confidence that the art of birdwatching will be the wave of the future in tourism.
Durano said that he was encouraged by the efforts exerted by the Wild Bird Club (WBCP) of the Philippines and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC) in creating awareness of the new tourism product, particularly in Balanga City, Subic Bay Freeport, Candaba in Pampanga, and Bani in Pangasinan. Durano also launched “Birdwaching in the Philippines Volume 1” a book put together by a group of writers and bird enthusiasts led by writer Carlos Libosada Jr., Robert Alejandro, Arnel Telesforo and WBCP president Michael Lu as consultation. Durano also revealed that the tourism department will play host to the 1st International Birders Convention to be held in Balanga City in October next year. The secretary of tourism expressed his commitment to make this part of Central Luzon the birding capital in the country.
Balanga City is an attractive stop over for migratory birds as the Bataan Peninsula lies in what is known as the East Asian Australian Flyway. Three barangays (villages) of Puerto Rivas, Tortugas and Sibacan are the most popular stop over and feeding grounds for thousands of migratory birds that include gulls, terns, herons and egrets. Balanga City offers great opportunities for bird photography and learning experience in natural history. The Philippines is both home and temporary respite for over 600 species, of which 200 are endemic, making it a must-visit for avid birders. It is number three in the world after Brazil and Indonesia. For further information on birdwatching, contact the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp., Corporate Relations Department, 4/F Legaspi Towers, Roxas Blvd., Manila, c/o Project Director Stanie Soriano, Tel. No. (63 2) 525-9318 / 521-6165 or email at pcvcnet@dotpcvc.gov.ph or website at www.dotpcvc.gov.ph
