Travel and Tourism

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 …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) obtained a 12-year loan to be able to acquire new jet engines, the airline’s first export credit agency (ECA) financing in more than a decade after the airline grappled with a major post-pandemic restructuring due to enormous debt. The loan, arranged through ECA financing by Citi and UK Export Finance (UKEF), will used for the purchase of …

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Opening of the recent Dubai Air Show was marked by the announcement of Emirates (state-owned UAE carrier) ordering 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, as the carrier looks to expand its fleet arising from record earnings and mounting demand for flights through the East-West travel hub. Emirates valued the deal with Boeing and GE Engines at $38 …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will implement a proposed ferry system in Metro Manila starting 2026 after near completion of a feasibility study, with potential investors and private sector partners expressing interest. The feasibility study for the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake (MAPALLA) Ferry System was initiated some two years ago but completion was delayed after DOTr included new inputs from …

Wellness tourism was center of discussion at the recent 2025 TravMedia Summit Asia held in Singapore, attended by more than a hundred participants, including international media. Speakers included Flex Studio founder-director Heather Thomas; Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas wellness vice president Mark Sands; Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Regional Vice President Peter Draminsky; and Oster Group co-founder and chief medical …

The islands of Boracay and Amanpulo are included in separate lists of the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The 28th edition of the awards by the luxury lifestyle and travel magazine comes from the votes of readers in the United Kingdom. Amanpulo placed 5th in the Rest of Asia division of the Best Resorts in the world list, scoring 94.77 …