First Helium Balloon In Ph - Be Prepared To Pay More

[MikeB]

Like their counterparts at the Oslob whale shark spectacle, they charge "foreign tourists" more then double the charge for "locals". I wonder if that applies to Filipino tourists from other regions in the country. Do other SE Asian countries (like Thailand) that have successful and profitable tourism pull this crap? Anyone know?

"The country’s first helium balloon” is now open at the Hadsan Resort in barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City. The added tourism attraction in Lapu-Lapu City was launched yesterday, and complements the Yellow Submarine which has been operating for more than a year now and the “Flyboard” which opened last week also at the Hadsan Beach Resort. Up to 30 persons can ride at one time on the helium balloon which could fly as high as 150 meters. It has a diameter of 22.80 meters and is 34 meters high. Its control cable can handle up to 45 tons. winch.Mr. Jack Song, the Korean who owns the facility, assured that the ride is safe. “Over the last 15 years, it has been operating without any accident in 40 business areas in 20 countries,” Song told reporters. France Aerophile is the maker of Aero30NG (Helium Balloon), with 19 years experience in the field. Their products balloon passed international safety standards. The helium balloon operators coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the weather bureau to ensure safe flights. The place is open at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m. daily.

The ticket price for locals is P1,000 for adults and P700 for children two to 12 years old. Foreign tourists are charged $50 for adults and $30 for children. Mayor Paz Radaza said, “It is very timely that Lapu-Lapu City had just launched its brand where city investors and tourists can have world-class services for leisure, business and entertainment.” She thanked Mr. Song’s company for bringing the facility to Lapu-Lapu and expressed pride over its opening.

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/39646/first-helium-balloon-in-ph-flies-in-lapu-lapu

[Dave Hounddriver]

"The country’s first helium balloon” is now open

 

While that may be the first helium balloon (other than the kind they sell at the sea side), there have been hot air balloons here for years.  Can anyone give the pros and cons of riding with a helium balloon vs a hot air?

 

http://www.clarkisit.com/breaking-news-2014-clark-hot-air-balloon-festival-location-moved/

[Dave Hounddriver]

Foreign tourists are charged $50

Mr. Jack Song, the Korean who owns the facility

 

As you can see, it does not seem to be locals dong this to us foreigners, its other foreigners gouging foreigners.

[MikeB]

If they're running a business in the Philippines they are answerable to the govt of the Philippines. Given the country's tourism standing amongst it's neighbors this is exactly what they shouldn't be doing. Penny wise and pound foolish.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Can anyone give the pros and cons of riding with a helium balloon vs a hot air?

 

I think the pro would be that its attached to a wire rope so you wont find yourself in Jolo province. I guess that its safer as no gas burner would be another pro. Cons would be its really is a high lookout as you only go up and down.

 

[Methersgate]

 

Can anyone give the pros and cons of riding with a helium balloon vs a hot air?

 

I think the pro would be that its attached to a wire rope so you wont find yourself in Jolo province. I guess that its safer as no gas burner would be another pro. Cons would be its really is a high lookout as you only go up and down.

 

balloon2.jpg

 

There is a trick to this.If the balloon were free flying, it would have to valve helium to descend. That is very expensive. By keeping the baloon positively bouyant and using the cable to haul it down, against its bouyancy, the need to valve helium is eliminated.

[GregZ]

Like their counterparts at the Oslob whale shark spectacle, they charge "foreign tourists" more then double the charge for "locals". I wonder if that applies to Filipino tourists from other regions in the country. Do other SE Asian countries (like Thailand) that have successful and profitable tourism pull this crap? Anyone know?

 

The USA pulls the "crap" all over the place.

 

At least this is upfront foreigner pricing and in line with rides of this type elsewhere.  It is for all foreigners so fair in my opinion.  Locals get discounts everywhere in the USA and I don't hear people complaining much.  Resident discounts are given in Texas at the San Antonio River Walk attraction.  $8.25 – General Admission $6.00 – Bexar County Residents.  They aren't the only ones either.

  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/  This link is for Florida resident, Disney discounts.  There are many more.

 

Maybe we shouldn't whine so much about 2 prices?  :tiphat:  

 

The 'local' price is half in this case... where San Antonio is only 27% off.  But in both cases I am sure it is based on the expected disposable income available to buy a ticket and other attraction prices, plus the likelihood of repeat riders.  They are a business that only gets money if the customer comes after all.  They are looking for touists to MAKE a profit (they generally have more money) and locals to FILL SEATS so they don't LOSE money. 

 

:thumbsup:  I am glad that the lower price will let some of the locals get to experience the ride where at the full price they would stay home.

[Gerald Glatt]

It maybe that they feel fils only use half the space.

[MikeB]

The USA pulls the "crap" all over the place. At least this is upfront foreigner pricing and in line with rides of this type elsewhere. It is for all foreigners so fair in my opinion. Locals get discounts everywhere in the USA and I don't hear people complaining much. Resident discounts are given in Texas at the San Antonio River Walk attraction. $8.25 – General Admission $6.00 – Bexar County Residents. They aren't the only ones either.

https://disneyworld....rida-residents/ This link is for Florida resident, Disney discounts. There are many more.

Maybe we shouldn't whine so much about 2 prices?

First of all I'm not whining, I'm stating that in my opinion it's wrong and stupidly short-sighted. And no, the examples you cite don't apply. The discounts are for state residents based on the presumption that residents are already paying local taxes in Fl, Tx, etc.that, in part, subsidize these things by paying for the roads and infrastructure that allow access. Show me an example of an attraction or park in the US charging "foreigners" 1 penny more then non-state or county residents. Now college tuition is a different matter, that's where foreign students get screwed. The 2 places I cited are charging foreigners much more, more then double for the balloon ride, I'm not sure about the whale shark thing because I don't want any part of it but I think it's about double. I have no problem with them charging residents of Oslob or Lapu Lapu a reduced rate or even free but aside from that everyone should pay the same. The Philippines will continue to miss the tourism boat, except for the 60 year old guys strutting around the malls with the bevies of 19 year olds. That will always be the target demographic.

[GregZ]

First of all I'm not whining, ..... Show me an example of an attraction or park in the US charging "foreigners" 1 penny more then non-state or county residents.

 

I didn't mean to be offensive.  Hope nobody took it that way.  It just sounds like some are unhappy that they can't get the lower rate, not that the higher rate is too high for this type of attraction.  *opinion*  I want the lower rate myself. :1 (103):

 

"And no, the examples you cite don't apply.  The discounts are for state residents based on the presumption that residents are already paying local taxes in Fl, Tx, etc.that, in part, subsidize these things by paying for the roads and infrastructure that allow access."

My examples do apply. There in the Phils, the discounts are for locals that pay taxes that subsidize.... etc, etc.  But there is room for argument in the USA that these discounts are unfair to people from other states because federal money was used to build the infrastructure...  In the Phils you don't even have that situation.  Foreigners haven't paid a dime for any of it, except through travel and hotel tax.

 

My opinion is unchanged.  The states are large (country sized if you compare around the world) and someone from another state is a foreigner in the examples I gave.  Or another county, or country depending on the perspective of the people making the money and paying bills.  There are several angles to the topic here that can be argued on and on, great debate material.

 

In the end is $50 too much for a ride like this?  I think not.  Something similar in Kissimmee, Florida is $70 per person and $100 if you want a video remembrance for it.  The ferris wheel in Singapore is over $40 for an adult ticket.

:tiphat: