Travel and Tourism

The Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC), a partnership among six leading Filipino conglomerates and US-based Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), has submitted a P100-billion unsolicited proposal to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).  The consortium is made up of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corporation, Alliance Global – Infracorp Development, Inc., Filinvest Development Corporation, and …

International passenger demand remained solid, driven by the robust recovery in leisure and business travel in Asia and globally, as opposed to global cargo market, which was lackluster, according to March 2023 traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).  The easing of travel restrictions, coupled with strong travel appetite, led to a 494.6% year-on-year increase in the …

Online travel platform Agoda has found that the Bacolod City in Negros Occidental is the country’s cheapest tourist destination.  Agoda analyzed the average room rates of tourist destinations for April 2023, and after crunching the numbers saw that rooms in Bacolod cost an average of P2,650.  Beyond affordable room rates, the company noted that Bacolod — coined the “City of …

By Alvin Fidelson  THE Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) decision to lower the applicable fuel surcharge rates for domestic and international flights is expected to be advantageous for guests who will be booking their flights from next month to later dates, as they will not have to bear any additional fuel surcharge costs. This Level 5 fuel surcharge is relatively lower …

The best Thai product and cultural trade show is back to win the hearts of Filipinos again. Thailand Week 2023, which is organized by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), through the Thai Trade Center in Manila, will take place from 30 March – 2 April 2023 at the SMX Convention Center, Hall 4. The fair …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is confident international passenger arrivals could reach 12 million by 2028, before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ends his term.  Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco confirmed the goal is “achievable”, against a 4.8-million target for 2023.  Frasco showed DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) of 2023-2028 without annual targets for domestic and foreign arrivals, inbound …

A recent Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight – Manila-Guam-Manila – was entered into the flag carrier’s rich history for being operated by an all-women crew.  PAL took pride at the all-female flight crew for its March 22 PR110 Manila-Guam and March 24 PR111 Guam – Manila flights.  Capt. Emmie Inciong-Ragasa took command of the flight to Guam and was assisted by …

After a two-year suspension due to the pandemic, competitive sailing returned to Taal Lake Yacht Club (TLYC) with the recent 2022 Philippine Hobie 16 National Championships, the country’s longest-running Hobie sailing event.  Situated by the lakeshores of Talisay, Batangas and a jump-off point to Taal Volcano, TLYC has been dubbed by Lonely Planet as the country’s “sailing mecca” because of …

The Philippines boasts 7,640 islands that offer untouched beauty and international-level grandiosity that are underrated and unfamiliar to many.  The most well-known Philippine beaches have been swarmed by foreign tourists and local wanderers. Some look for serene quiet time while lounging around. Now with borders opening up to greater extents, whether you’re just stopping over for a quick visit to …

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is committed to “modernize” and improve the country’s transportation system to foster growth and revitalize the economy. During the contract signing of the electromechanical systems and track works of the North-South Commuter Railway in Malacañang, the President recognized that an “efficient” transportation system will have a multiplier effect on employment and on the economy. “As we …