Travel and Tourism

The Philippines will chair and host this year’s meetings of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), starting with the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum scheduled from January 28 to 31 in Cebu. The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it has been collaborating closely with the Cebu provincial government, especially with the Cebu City Tourism Commission, and other national government agencies. …

Spreading online posts saying entry to Canada is “visa-free” for Filipinos need clarification. To qualify for a visa-free entry from the Philippines, the traveler must meet the following criteria: Must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or a current non-immigrant visa for the US. Must have a valid passport. Must be traveling via air. These …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) insists they did not pay Philippine Topics magazine to feature the Secretary of Tourism for its cover story. DOT sought to address misleading online posts claiming the magazine featured the face of Tourism Sec. Cristina Garcia-Frasco on its cover, instead of promoting local destinations. DOT emphasized Philippine Topics is a private publication and not a …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will construct three new EDSA Busway stations this year to improve efficiency and accessibility on Metro Manila’s most efficient road transport project. The new stations will be located in Cubao, Magallanes and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed DOTr to improve the busway’s time and motion to encourage more …

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez instructed Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Atty. Vigor Mendoza II to immediately penalize abusive, rude and arrogant drivers of taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) who cancel bookings or overcharge or refuse to accept passengers during the ongoing holiday rush. Sec. Lopez said they are issuing a memorandum …

The Departments of Tourism (DOT) and Migrant Workers (DMW) have partnered to launch the Investment in Philippine Opportunities for Nation’s Tourism (IPON Tourism) program, which provides returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with opportunities to invest in tourism-related ventures as partners, owners or entrepreneurs. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said IPON Tourism would enable OFW to reintegrate while expanding tourism as …

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is upgrading its cameras for the no-contact apprehension system by equipping them with speed-detection capability, according to Chairman Don Artes who said most fatal over-speeding incidents occurred late at night. Artes said the agency currently relies on manual speed guns, but engineers are finalizing the integration of speed radars into the MMDA’s AI-powered NCAP …

Baguio City’s famous chilly weather in December has officially arrived, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recently recording a temperature of 13.8 degrees Celsius. Health officials urged the public to dress appropriately such as jackets, sweaters, bonnets and socks and by drinking warm water, tea or soup. They also advised getting enough rest to help prevent …

Seven properties of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) are being considered for possible privatization, according to TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid. is open to fully privatizating seven of its properties, among which is the once-popular Paoay Golf Course and Mt. Data Hotel. Lapid said, “For the properties that we own, that are titled to us, we …

ATPI – global leader in marine travel and logistics – confirmed that the Philippines remains top source of seafarers for international maritime operations. This admission came after the global maritime industry decided to adapt major operational shifts such as tighter crew rotations and increased group movements  Alongside the heightened emphasis on safe, timely crew rotations, the industry’s worldwide growth is …