ASEAN trade show generates over P100M in sales leads for Philippine tourism industry

THE Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) said a regional trade show generated over P100 million in sales leads for 16 exhibitors from the Philippine tourism industry. The TPB, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DoT), was reporting the result of Philippine participation in the ASEAN Tourism Forum. In a statement on Monday, the TPB […]

Senate leader pushes for PHL-Japan military agreement; Marcos asks for easing of travel advisories

THE PHILIPPINES’ Senate leader is pushing for a military agreement with Japan, which will broaden ongoing exchange programs on maritime and emergency response operations.      “Japan is already offering vital support to our coast guard, not just through vessels and equipment but also through other capacity-building opportunities such as training,” Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri […]

Taiwan wants visa-free travel to PH

TAIWAN’S Ambassador to the Philippines urged the national government to grant tourists from Taiwan with visa-free travel to the country as this will bolster economic and tourism activities between two nations. Currently, the Taiwanese government allows Filipinos to visit their country for 14 days as a tourist and without requiring them for a visa, said […]

Visitor arrivals expected to approach pre-pandemic levels in 2023

THE Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) is expecting international visitor arrivals in 2023 to approach pre-pandemic levels if no further global disruptions materialize. Michelle G. Taylan, chair of the PTAA 30th Travel Tour Expo 2023, told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of a briefing in Quezon City on Tuesday that the group projects international visitor arrivals of […]

Business chambers see tourism, agriculture driving 2023 recovery

BUSINESS GROUPS said they expect tourism and agriculture to drive the economic recovery in 2023, with remittances providing a cushion against any possible external shocks. George T. Barcelon, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said his organization is “cautiously optimistic” of the country’s economic performance this year. “Our economy will sustain a healthy pace […]

Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA)’s NusaTrip Opens Regional Office in Singapore to Service Booming Rebound in Southeast Asia Travel Market

SINGAPORE, Jan 4, 2023 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – NusaTrip, Indonesia’s first IATA-certified online travel agency (OTA) and the travel vertical of Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA), today announces the opening of its first regional office in Singapore and first office outside of Indonesia. The office opening positions NusaTrip as the travel platform of […]

Tourism brings in P149B; Gov’t banks on PPPs to boost sector

THE TOURISM industry generated P149 billion in tourism revenues as of November this year, according to Malacañang. Citing the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) yearend accomplishment report, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said 2.4 million foreigners entered the Philippines this year, exceeding the target of 1.7 million international arrivals after border restrictions were lifted […]

BI expects passenger traffic at airports to increase heading into 2023

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) on Monday said it expects passenger traffic to continue to increase up to New Year’s Eve as more Filipinos and foreign visitors arrive and leave.   “Usually during New Year’s, departures also increase since Filipinos who live abroad, especially our overseas Filipino Workers return to the countries they came from,” Immigration […]

SBCorp. approves P8.20 billion worth of loans to 50,003 applicants

THE SMALL Business Corp. (SBCorp.), has approved P8.20 billion worth of loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  “(As of December), P8.20 billion worth of loans have been approved to 50,003 MSMEs under the COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) Program and for SBCorp.’s other lending programs targeted […]