BEFORE I start this column, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua.
On March 1 I received an e-mail from Ms. Carla Mortel-Baricaua advising me that BusinessMirror Publisher T. Anthony Cabangon and Editor in Chief Jun Vallecera were inviting me to start a Monday column that would touch on tourism and entertainment. In the past I shied away from writing columns, as I preferred to devote time to the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), which we started in Subic. In the succeeding columns, I would like to introduce this nonstock, nonprofit school in more detail.
This year is the fifth anniversary of ISST and so I thought this may be the right time to accept this invitation. When I look back on my past works and business involvements, they were always about marketing, selling and promoting the Philippines and its products. I JUST LOVE THIS COUNTRY!
But do you know what the word Philippines stands for?
The Philippines was not misnamed, whatever the nature of the prince it got its name from, the name itself is a gem fit for a jewel of a land. So writes Nick Joaquin in the book published by the Department of Tourism in 1996, titled The Philippines: A Manifold Land. The name “Philippines” begins with the Greek word for love and signifies a love for energy, as the root word, philip, means a love of horses. This can be translated as a love of energy and speed, with horsepower still our measure of energy.
TOURIST ARRIVALS Tourism is one of the world’s biggest industries. According to the report of Financial Express in February this year, by the year 2020, on projections, there would be 1.6 billion tourists worldwide, and tourism receipts would touch $2 trillion, creating one job every 2.5 seconds. Imagine if we can tap even 2 percent of this figure, what tremendous economic benefits this will translate for our communities where most of the best tourism destinations are.
In recent years travel has seen changes in airfare costs, visa and other amenities being offered by hotels and online-service companies.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to which the Philippines is a member, reported that overall international arrivals are up 4 percent, with 1.2 billion in 2015. This is the sixth consecutive year of above average growth in arrivals worldwide.
According to the UNWTO, the 4-percent growth in arrival was driven by the strong showing of Europe. The whole of Europe showed a 5 percent increase in arrivals, which surprised many of those in the industry, for a rather mature travel destination,and in spite of perceived safety problems in certain European destinations.
The openness of countries to make access to visa easier has been on the rise. The UNWTO further reports that 18 percent of the world’s population is able to travel without visa, 15 percent could receive visas on arrival, and 6 percent were able to obtain e-visa.
CONGRATULATIONS and happy anniversary to Philippine Airlines on its 75th year. The last conversation we had with President Jimmy Bautista was that they were opening up flights to two European destinations. Hope many took advantage of the great promo offerings of PAL to certain destinations at 75-percent off of published rates.
BATANES An idyllic destination which could be likened to certain European sites with cows standing on green rolling hills. The large number of cows grazing on the hills has cut the grass short. The quaint landscape and historical churches and thunderous waves that hit the rocks are dramatic experiences. The native Ivatans are Philippine hospitality personified. My first trip to Batanes was with the late President Cory Aquino. I remembered buying a lot of garlic which are plentiful in Batanes and woven nito place mats which up to today are what we use daily for our table settings. The best time to travel to Batanes is during summer. So I decided to visit Batanes again and hope the old Ivatan houses are still there, the cogon hats are still available. I am looking forward to partake their famous bukayo and fantastic varieties of fresh fish. If you wish to join the Batanes trip, call Mike Quitorio at 09054876855. I understand there are already some 30 participants signed up and the group will be in Batanes from May 5 to 8.
Mabuhay!