Hummmm ... Seems To Be Conflicting Stories Here

[Mike S]

Just like surveys tourists destinations seem to be a bit of a hoopla depending on who's reporting them and why ..... but this was a different slant on Philippine tourism as compared to the Pres's  recollection ..... oh well ....  :mocking: 

 

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ph-among-least-favorite-tourist-sites-southeast-asia-164436305.html

 

 

The Philippines is among the least favorite destinations in Southeast Asia, prompting assurance from Malacanang that the government is moving to intensify efforts to attract more tourists and convince them that it's more fun in the Philippines.

 

In a report released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the Philippines' tourist arrivals reached 4.27 million in 2012, compared to Malaysia's 25.03 million visitors, Thailand's 22.35 million, Indonesia's 8.04 million, and Vietnam's 6.85 million.

 

''While those are the numbers that were released by UN comparative to our neighbors, we would, again, rather look at the glass half-full. Why is that? We want to, one, our efforts will continue to attract more tourists to the country,'' Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said yesterday in an interview with DZRB.

 

Valte noted that the government is on track to meeting its targets on both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals.

''It's just a matter of continuing our efforts, of continuing to show to the rest of the world why it is more fun in the Philippines and it's more fun to visit this place,'' she added.

 

Under the government's tourism development plan, Valte said they intend not only to develop tourist spots but improve the country's infrastructure network.

 

''We want to make sure that from the airports, it's easy to go to the tourist spots,'' she said. ''So it's not just a matter of identifying which spots will be attractive to tourists, to foreign tourists, but we want to make the process easier when they're here,'' she added.

 

The Department of Budget and Management earlier announced that the government will spend P20 billion for infrastructure projects as well as marketing programs to boost the country's tourism sector next year.

 

The government has adjusted its domestic tourism target for 2016 to 56.1 million. A total of 37.5 million domestic travelers were recorded in 2011, surpassing the government's original target for 2016.

 

The government is also eyeing 10 million foreign tourists by 2016. The target for 2014 foreign tourist arrivals is 6.8 million.

 

[Old55]

This is spot on and its encouraging to hear it from Filipino government officials.

The comments are interesting to read.

Fact is much of Manila is a third world S-hole same can be said for large parts of other large Filipino city's. For the most part members here know what areas to avoid or have found it not a deal breaker however the average tourist is not going to handle it well and when they go back to their home country's will share with others.

There is real beauty to be found out in da Providences but other than diving or sitting by the sea not that much to do.

 

"Under the government's tourism development plan, Valte said they intend not only to develop tourist spots but improve the country's infrastructure network."

 

''We want to make sure that from the airports, it's easy to go to the tourist spots,'' she said. ''So it's not just a matter of identifying which spots will be attractive to tourists, to foreign tourists, but we want to make the process easier when they're here,'' she added.

Edited July 30, 2013 by Old55

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I wish them all the luck in the world.  They should take a lesson from Mexico.  It is still listed as a third world country, a majority of the country has a crappy infrastructure, and corruption is rampant (sound familiar?).  BUT they have tons of tourists!  Because someone figured out all you have to do is fix the hotel strips with good water and power, get some decent airports, have a separate tourist police force, and keep your tourists happy. 

 

But most of the politicians are so petty, they see everything in the now.  You can't kill the goose to get the golden eggs out of it...

[JJReyes]

I wish them all the luck in the world.  They should take a lesson from Mexico.  It is still listed as a third world country, a majority of the country has a crappy infrastructure, and corruption is rampant (sound familiar?).  BUT they have tons of tourists!  Because someone figured out all you have to do is fix the hotel strips with good water and power, get some decent airports, have a separate tourist police force, and keep your tourists happy. 

 

Mexico also has a very liberal visa policy for retirees. You can get a six months tourist visa for something like $25, cross the border for a day and get another one upon re-entry. You also don't need a visa for the first 50 kilometers south of the border under the NAFTA agreement. The permanent residency visa is five years and the fee is around $500.   

[MacBubba]

When we visited Puerto Princesa in Palawan, we were impressed with how efficiently they had set up their tourism machinery.  Nothing 5-star about it to be sure, but you definitely sensed that people were there more to help than to gouge.  Congratulations to their local government.  The rest of the country could take a page from their book.

[MikeB]

The Philippines is an isolated archipelago thousands of miles from the US and Europe, it has a completely different tourist market then Mexico (Caribbean, etc). Coming here from the west for a 1 week vacation is not very practical. It also has a well-deserved, less then positive global public image. In terms of tourism, Boracay and Palawan are the crown jewels. But the biggest concern for the average tourist family is safety; it's going to take a lot more then beautiful beaches, natural wonders, 30 day tourist visas, and catchy slogans.  

[Jake]

The Philippines is an isolated archipelago thousands of miles from the US and Europe, it has a completely different tourist market then Mexico (Caribbean, etc). Coming here from the west for a 1 week vacation is not very practical. It also has a well-deserved, less then positive global public image. In terms of tourism, Boracay and Palawan are the crown jewels. But the biggest concern for the average tourist family is safety; it's going to take a lot more then beautiful beaches, natural wonders, 30 day tourist visas, and catchy slogans.  

But the biggest concern for the average tourist family is safety; it's going to take a lot more then beautiful beaches,

natural wonders, 30 day tourist visas, and catchy slogans.  

 

Right on Mike B....triple like!

[generalmark]

airasiax abandoning clark should wake up those in charge of tourist development.

it has redeployed that flight to adelaide.

 

 

 

 

[JJReyes]

airasiax abandoning clark should wake up those in charge of tourist development. it has redeployed that flight to adelaide.

 

Hawaiian Airlines is also ending their four times a week direct flight from Honolulu to Manila. The aircraft will be used for the more lucrative Honolulu to Beijing route.