Travel and Tourism

While most Filipinos have adjusted to the new normal, and access to COVID-19 vaccines have made it safer to travel now than the previous two years, many of us are still facing the challenges of navigating various travel threats. On top of COVID-19 and the threat of seasonal viruses such as influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), would-be travelers also face …

The Philippines was again voted as the “world’s best country tourism destination” in the 2022 Uzakrota Global Travel Awards, cementing its position as a top-of-the-mind travel spot even during the pandemic. The country bested other countries nominated with 721 votes, bagging the award for the second time since it held the title in 2020. The initiative was led by the …

Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) will now oversee the operations of the Clark International Airport. CIAC officer-in-charge Darwin Cunanan said that Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista directed the agency to exercise “regulatory supervision and oversight of activities occurring within the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, including CRK,” beginning last November 7, 2022. As DOTr implementing arm, CIAC will exercise oversight functions of …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume commercial flights to Baguio beginning Dec. 16, using the 90-seater De Havilland Dash 8 Series 400 next generation aircraft, operating the Cebu to Baguio and vice versa route. The Cebu-Baguio route is the latest addition to PAL’s network of domestic flights connecting the Queen City of the South to various cities in Luzon, Visayas, and …

Japanese tourists are invited to visit and experience the now fully opened Philippines. The government had been doubling efforts to attract more Japanese to the country, who were the fourth top market prior to the pandemic. Arrivals from Japan reached 682,788 in 2019 but figures dramatically went down to 136,664 in 2020 and 15,024 last year as coronavirus compels countries …

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted the benefits of transitioning to the new eTravel system for returning Filipino residents and tourists, saying this allows for better mobility and enhanced traveler experience. Frasco said the agency has supported the removal of the One Health Pass, the transition to the e-arrival card and now the full integration of the arrival and departure system …

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is deploying 25,000 staff for Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2022.  According to PCG Commandant, Admiral Artemio M Abu, Coast Guard Districts, Stations, and Sub-Stations nationwide will be on heightened alert from December 15, 2022 to January 7, 2023.  This is to ensure that the riding public will have safe, secure, convenient and comfortable sea travel …

The Philippine Consulate General in New York City lit two big Christmas lanterns that flown from Pampanga to give the Filipino community there a sense of home while allowing Americans to get a glimpse of Filipino Christmas. The first-ever lighting ceremony of big lanterns at the Philippine Center was headed by Consul General Elmer Cato and graced by Ambassador Antonio …

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, a heritage resort, home to more than 60 heritage houses, is recipient of numerous awards including the 2021 “Best Historic Hotel in Asia and the Pacific” by Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence. This citation placed Las Casas among the 300 hotels and resorts across the globe that are recognized for preserving and maintaining …

Taal, the world’s smallest active volcano, lies within Taal Lake which is suffering from pollution from all forms of household waste.  SATALA (Sagip Taal Lake), a non-governmental organization that Club Balai Isabel helped establish with the support of the private sector, local government units, as well as local volunteers, spearheads the movement to promote the beleaguered lake’s conservation through education, …