THE Cebu City Government is open to the possibility of making the city a cruise ship destination to boost its tourism industry. Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho Wei Hong told Mayor Michael Rama during the former’s courtesy call on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, that Cebu City has the potential of becoming a port […]
Tag: tourism
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 […]
Villafuerte wants to impose $25 entry tax on foreign tourists
By Beatriz Marie D. Cruz A LAWMAKER has proposed imposing an entry tax on foreign visitors to help fund tourism development programs. “The fixed rate of $25 is proposed to be competitive with that of the current taxes other countries have set,” Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund “L-Ray” F. Villafuerte Jr. said on Wednesday. He […]
Developers told hike tourism investments amid rosy outlook
A PROPERTY research firm advised local developers to increase their tourism investments, particularly in key provinces in the country, following the anticipated boom in tourism this year. In 2022, the country posted 2.65 million tourists, way higher than its target of 1.7 million. Tourism revenues reached P209 billion (US$3.8 billion) in 2022, up 2,466 percent […]
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 […]
Number of tourism companies grows 5.5% in 2014-2020 period
THE number of companies registered as tourism establishments grew 5.5% in the six years to 2020, driven by optimism about the industry’s growth before the pandemic set in, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Citing preliminary data on Wednesday, the PSA said the 2020 Survey of Tourism of Establishments in the Philippines (STEP) tallied 40,815 […]
Senate bill to revive 2007 law on ‘holiday economics’
A SENATOR has filed a bill that seeks to boost local tourism by setting national holidays that fall on a weekend to the following Monday. “The increase in the number of long weekends can help reduce stress, prevent burnout and promote work-life balance for both employees and students by allowing them to decompress and spend […]
NAIA privatization seen driving tourism revival
THE PROPOSED privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is expecting to support the growth of the tourism industry, according to Go Negosyo Founder Jose Maria A. Concepcion III. “Our airports create the first impression of our country, and since tourism has (the potential) for growing our economy, any improvement made here will […]
PHL urged to diversify markets after achieving scale in services
THE Philippine service industry has achieved sufficient scale to start exploring diversification into new markets even during the looming global recession, economists said. “The goal is to be able to expand our investments and trade in services, such as in food, business activities and health, beyond our borders since economies of scale in the service […]
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 […]
Foreign tourists in PH reach 2.65M in 2022
INTERNATIONAL tourist arrivals in the Philippines soared to 2.65 million in 2022, breaching the 1.7 million target, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Tuesday. The visitor count as of Dec. 31, 2022 translates to P208.96 billion or US$3.68 billion in tourism revenue, a 2,465.75 percent increase from the same period last year. The holiday season […]
Philippine international arrivals hit 2.65M in 2022
THE Department of Tourism (DoT) said the Philippines logged 2.65 million international arrivals in 2022, beating the 1.7 million target and raising hopes for the arrivals goal to be met in 2023. In a statement on Monday, the DoT said that of the 2.65 million international arrivals in 2022, 2.02 million were foreigners while 628,445 […]
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 […]
Tourism office asks for funds to promote Cebu City in NYC, London
THE Cebu City Tourism Office is proposing a P34.9-million budget for 2023, more than double its budget this year. In a report provided by the Cebu City Public Information Office, City Tourism Officer Neil Odchigue said they are seeking a budget increase because they want to develop more tourism attractions and activities now that global […]
Bohol official says tourism code to address overpricing issues
A PROVINCIAL Board member of Bohol said price regulation for goods and services will be included in the proposed local tourism law after another issue of overcharging, this time involving van drivers. Board Member Tita V. Baja, chair of the committee on tourism and urban/rural development, said “regulating the prices or commissions, may be considered […]