The spotlight was on the Philippines once again as Manila hosted the sixth United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Conference on Tourism Statistics, which was held last June 21 to 23. Some 700 foreign and local delegates from over 60 countries tackling policy initiatives on developing measurement and benchmarks for sustainable tourism.
According to the UNWTO, over one billion tourists traveled in 2016, with the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines included, yielding 25 percent of the total number.
The figures are projected to rise to 1.8 billion by 2030, adding that the tourism sector—if well managed—can foster inclusive economic growth, social inclusiveness and the protection of cultural and natural assets.
Tourism’s economic contribution to the Philippines’s 2016 GDP has been recorded at 10.6 percent, while the countr’s “sunshine industry” has contributed 10.3 percent to the total employment share.
With martial law still in effect in Mindanao and the Marawi conflict still unresolved, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai found the Philippines a safe tourism destination that the world’s people must go and visit at one time or another.
“You haven’t lived if you have not experienced the Philippines. The world is lucky to have the Philippines. Culture, nature, upbeat people give the country so much life. The Philippines is a country to travel and respect, and its greatest gift is its people,” Rifai told the media covering UNTWO’s ministerial visit in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, including the BusinessMirror.
Easily, Hotel Centro is the first choice of accommodation in this lovely province. Combining nature’s blessings with modern comforts, this city hotel provides guests with relaxation that’s uniquely soothing and utterly blissful.
Located seven to 10 minutes away from the airport, Hotel Centro is the premier converging point and epicenter for all business, social and leisure events requiring hotel accommodation and facilities in the island. Hotel Centro is 20 minutes away from the Honda Bay Islands and an hour’s drive to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site. Other interesting places that are accessible from the hotel are: Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Palawan Museum, Plaza Cuartel, Iwahig Penal Colony, Vietnamese Village, Puerto Princesa Bay, Honda Bay Islands, Ulugan Bay, Salakot Waterfalls and Cleopatra’s Needle.
The hotel’s new garden outlet “The IG Noshery”, has an ongoing unlimited offering at P299 net when we arrived for the UNTWO ministerial visit.
An unlimited serving of one food item selection per person is available daily from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight. Guests can choose from: Buffalo wings, Crispy Bagnet, Sweet & Sour Crab, Breaded Bacon, Burritos, Breaded Squid and BBQ Tacos.
If you’re in the mood for a Burger Madness, The IG Noshery —Monster Grab Menu will definitely bring out the monster in you: 8-inches Beef Burger good for four to five Persons has with variety of sides to choose from: “NEWBIE”–P488 (8-inches Beef Burger with Fries); “EXPERT”– P588 (8-inches Beef Burger with Fries and Tacos); and “TITAN”–P688 (8-inches Beef Burger with Fries, Breaded Fish and Firesticks).
For inquiries and reservations, call (048)4341110 or 09175991912.