INDEED there is a huge opportunity for our tourism industry to develop and expand without destroying our heritage and the natural beauty of our country. Reports have it that some 3.92 million tourists visited the Philippines in 2011 surpassing the government’s target of 3.7 million. I witnessed the wonderful Kasadyahan and Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo. Wow!Such display of talents, creativity, forbearance, hard work, innovation, patience, fun and humor and everything else beautiful and positive. The presentations were awesome. The audience was appreciative. The presenting teams designed and made their own costumes, sets, props, paraphernalias, everything they used for the presentations. They were colorful and “modern” and made from shells,... Read On

A travel website has named the Philippines’ famous Boracay island as the best beach in Asia. The website www.TripAdvisor.com’s Travelers’ Choice 2011 also voted the island as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. “At only 4.5 miles long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don’t let its small size fool you—you’ll have several excellent beaches to choose from,” it said. “Yapak Beach is known for beautiful white shells; White Beach has picture-perfect sunsets; and Balinghai Beach is a secluded spot, perfect for honeymooners. As long as you visit during dry season, you’ll agree this is one of the best beach... Read On

What would be on the up-and-up the coming year? Inquirer Property continues the fearless forecast of the real estate industry for 2012: Ø  Emerging trends will spring up from various sources in 2012, fueled in great part by Internet marketing. Property analysts also see pocket developments in new central business districts, while competition will shift to the home-buying experience, which, says Enrique Soriano, professor at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and senior adviser at Wong+Bernstein Business Advisory, would revolve around hybrid residential-cum-leisure projects. Soriano adds that locations most likely to “break out” and make themselves known would be Alabang, Laguna and Cebu. Ø  Condos will continue to lord... Read On

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—“Clark is a prime candidate simply because it’s ready.” Thus said business tycoon Manuel “Manny” Pangilinan as he pushed for an international airport at Clark “with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila reaching its saturation level in about three years.” He was the guest of honor and speaker of the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA) here on Sunday night. “It’s clear that an alternative international aviation gateway is needed sooner rather than later,” said Pangilinan, chairman of Smarts Communications Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC). Pangilinan, however, stressed that “of course, the relevant improvements in facilities and avionics as well as expansion of... Read On

MANILA, Philippines — There are many things going for Philippine tourism. Tourism in the country is booming, thanks to the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos and natural attractions, and historical and cultural sites. More tourists are expected to arrive for the Christmas season. In the first nine months of 2011, 2.88 million tourists came to the country, 12 percent higher than last year. Domestic travel remains the backbone of the Philippine tourism industry. There has been a marked improvement in domestic tourism, as municipalities nationwide promote their tourist spots. Airline companies, through their promo fares, make it possible for Filipinos to fly and visit the country’s tourist spots. With... Read On

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) sees higher revenue from the Bonifacio South property following the decision of SM Land Inc. to improve its offer. Arnel Casanova, president and chief execu1tive officer of BCDA said, SM Land is improving its unsolicited proposal for the development of the 33.1-hectare property in South Bonifacio. SM Land is expected to top its offer of P36,900 per square meter, already a premium over the price of another joint venture of BCDA with Megaworld Corp. for the JUSMAG property also in Fort Bonifacio which fetched P33,000 per sq.m. “We’re waiting for the improved offer and if accept the offer, then it would be... Read On

MANILA, Philippines – Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. said Wednesday it is close to signing an agreement to develop a 400-hectare property at the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Megaworld said it would build a P7-billion mixed-use project on the site that will include office, retail, leisure, residential and health and wellness components. Megaworld is signing the agreement with Clark Development Corp. Shares of Megaworld fell 3.6% to P1.89 apiece in the market. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/11/23/11/megaworld-finalizing-deal-400-hectare-site-clark Read On

CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said it is expecting at least 100,000 tourists to flock to this Freeport during the upcoming Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) slated on February 9 to 12, 2012. This was announced by CDC President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the state-run corporation and the PIHABF Foundation, Inc. held Tuesday at the CDC Corporate Headquarters. Does Gloria Arroyo deserve to be placed under hospital arrest? Cast your vote. Remollo signed the MOA with PIHABF Foundation’s Joi Roa, signaling the start of preparations for the 17th staging of the balloon fest to... Read On

THE NUMBER of passengers on domestic commercial flights increased 14% to 14.03 million in January to September from the 12.28 million recorded in the same period last year, data from the Civil Aeronautics Board showed. Cheaper rates have encouraged more locals to travel by air. Cargo volume, however, dipped 5% to 127.73 million kilograms from 134.24 million kg in the same comparative periods, according to the same set of data released on Monday. Neither CAB nor airline officials were immediately available for comment. CAB data showed Philippine Airlines (PAL) posting a 16% decrease in passengers carried in those periods to 3.44 million from 4.10 million. Cebu Pacific, on the... Read On

A week before it spins off its non-core businesses on Oct. 1, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Saturday that it will temporarily reduce the number of selected domestic flights by 30 percent and international flights by 12 percent. “PAL is adopting contingency measures during the transition period to shield its customers from unnecessary inconvenience and hassles,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said. “We’re not taking any chances. These measures will help alleviate the inevitable minor kinks in PAL’s service as we go though this difficult but necessary transition period,” Villaluna added. She sought the understanding of the flying public for the temporary arrangement and thanked the Manila International... Read On