Travel and Tourism

Heritage structures, including a more than a century-old church, were heavily damaged by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu last September 30.  Social media posts showed the damage suffered by the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu, including photos of a ceiling partially damaged and rubbles off its century-old walls.  The Daanbantayan shrine suffered damage …

Beyond its cool climate and scenic beauty, Baguio City is more than a premier tourist destination and home to over 366,000 residents. Baguio City has also shown a strong commitment to sustainability and progress, with its local government consistently championing projects aimed at creating a livable, inclusive and creative environment for its Baguio 2043 vision. Towards this vision, the Baguio …

Air fares should remain stable in October ahead of the peak Undas and Christmas holidays with government maintaining the fuel surcharge unchanged. According to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), fuel surcharge remains at Level 4 for the third consecutive month in October, keeping fares stable ahead of holiday travels. At Level 4, airlines can collect a fuel surcharge of P117 …

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has been voted by passengers to win the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for Best Airport (5 to 15 Million Passengers Per Annum category) in Asia-Pacific, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World. The annual ASQ Awards recognize airport excellence in customer experience based on direct passenger feedback. The achievement reflects travelers’ appreciation for the …

Terminal fees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) increased after 20 years effective Sept. 14. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) earlier enabled the terminal fee hike despite calls from several groups to delay implementation. Under the agency’s Revised Administrative Order No. 1, which allowed for the fees to increase beginning the second year of the concession deal with …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently revealed that 28 Japanese firms have shown interest in bidding for the contract to operate and maintain the North-South Commuter Railway System. During the last leg of the government’s market sounding activity in Japan, DOTr Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the project was warmly received by several firms, including big names in …

GMR Group of India expressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr its “firm commitment” to help develop the Sangley Aerocity and the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) in Cavite and explore investment opportunities in Laoag, Siargao and Bohol regional gateways. This development “signals a strong partnership aimed at decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and bolstering regional connectivity,” sad the …

Coastal waters off the Siquijor municipality of Enrique Villanueva was recently designated as the Bitaug Marine Protected Area (MPA). Covering 149.46 hectares of coastal waters, the Bitaug MPA is the largest in Siquijor, accounting for nearly a third of the island province’s total MPA coverage. The MPA designation has been in the process since 2007, now achieved after participatory planning …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that personalized student Beep cards with an automatic 50% discount would become available starting Sept. 15, 2025, for the benefit of thousands of commuting students. According to a DOTr Facebook post, “This is in response to the directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make student travel faster and more affordable.” To avail of …

The Department of Tourism (DoT) recently unveiled Philippine Golf Experience (GolfEx) – a golf tourism program – at the Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Clark, Pampanga, to promote the country as a premier golfing destination. DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said the initiative aims to integrate the sport into the national tourism strategy. Frasco said, “We have always known that the …