It’s more fun in The Philippines. That is the new slogan rolled out this week by the Philippine Department of Tourism. Complete with a Twitter hashtag #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines, the hope is to drive more tourists to the islands.
I have always regarded The Philippines to be the Rodney Dangerfield of Asia, they just get no respect. Travelers to Asia flock to Thailand or lately Viet Nam and Cambodia but The Philippines has never quite captured the same allure.
Personally I love the Philippines and always found it to be a great place to visit. For one, the majority of Filipinos speak English and all the signs are in English so it is easy to get around. The people are friendly and with over 7000 islands there is a lot to explore.
With its new slogan and efforts to enhance the tourist experience the Tourism Department is hoping to increase travel to the islands. The goal is to attract over 4 million visitors in 2012 with a target of 10 million in 2016.
Some involved in the Philippine tourism industry feel that the Department needs to concentrate more on the Safety and Security of visitors. I have never felt unsafe while traveling there. However like anywhere else there are dangers. The Philippines does have its problems, from kidnappings to the ongoing battles with Islamic separatists in the Southern part of Mindanao. But a little situational awareness can go a long way. In other words don’t put yourself in a bad situation by backpacking in rebel territory and don’t be flashing money in Manila’s China Town.
There are some things that need to be improved in order to make The Philippines a more tourist friendly location. Arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is not the most pleasant experience. The airport is dated and it is a pain getting transport after arrival. People meeting incoming passengers line up by the hundreds behind a fence outside the airport. Unless you arrange a pickup you are at the mercy of airport taxis which charge a whole lot more than a normal taxi. This is being addressed in part with airport renovations and money being put into other airports such as Clark just North of Manila.
I agree, its really too bad that the Philippines is overlooked. I a planning a trip there for next year, and am really excited for it!
There are a lot of really beautiful places there. I really like the the Philippines and I am sure you will have fun.
Philippines has a lot of beautiful places to see – well, not in Manila though – and it’s sad that a lot of people are overlooking such an amazing country and all its beaches and delicious food. I hope this campaign gets more tourists to visit the Philippines although I agree with you, it does need to get some work done to make the campaign a success. And yes, it should all begin with the renovation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Yes first impressions do count. Not with me I don’t really care about the airport but if you are trying to attract tourists, that is probably not the first impression you want to give them. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
In Manila, you can visit Rizal Park to see the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Diorama of Rizal’s Martrydom and Lapu-Lapu’s Monument. Did you know that Kilometer Zero is also there where all distances from Manila are measured? If you come on a Sunday, you’ll get to see the locals practice arnis and wushu.
If you are into history, Intramuros (including Fort Santiago) will take you back in time to the Spanish era. Maintained by the U.S. Embassy, the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig offers a serene and reflective respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. As soon as you pass the gate, you’ll feel like you are in the U.S.
Did you know that you can also visit the Presidential Museum and Library at Malacañang Palace (equivalent of the U.S. White House)? All you need to do is to send them an e-mail request indicating the date/time of your intended visit. If you are a foreigner, you need to include a copy of your passport.
Spain ceded the Philippines to the U.S. for $20M in 1898. To give you a sense of the importance of Corregidor Island as a strategic military location to protect Manila, the U.S. spent $150M to fortify it. And yes, Gen. MacArthur lived up to his promise of “I shall return” by retaking the island from the Japanese. The island is only a 75 minutes on an air-conditioned boat from Manila.
If you have children, you can take them to Splash Island. If you like shopping, the Power Plant Mall at Rockwell in Makati carries all of the expensive name brands. The mall is small compared to the malls in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore but its size gives it an exclusive and intimate feel. If you prefer big malls, go to the Mall of Asia and make sure to try ice skating, complete with falling artificial snow, while you are there.
Do you like food? Join an “eating walking tour” of Binondo. If you are less adventurous, the cafeterias at various malls offer a wide variety of choices from regional cuisine to international flavors. You can easily spend a week in Manila by visiting the attractions that I listed above or by using it as a home base for day trips to Mt. Pinatubo, Tagaytay and elsewhere.
Good tips, The Philippines has a lot to offer. Great beaches, food and friendly people. Manila has some interesting places but getting out of Manila can be rewarding also from Palawan to Baguio, Puerto Galera and Boracay there is a lot to see and do.
We landed at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark International Airport). It was so much better than NAIA because the immigration line is so short and your checked-in luggage will be waiting for you by the time you get out. AirAsia offers cheap direct flights from Kuala Lumpur which we didn’t even know until AirTreks booked it as part of our RTW ticket. Check out Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Jin Air and South East Asian Airlines as well.
Clark is getting more and more passengers and I heard they were expanding it even more. It will be a good alternative to NAIA in Manila
Philippines has a lot to offer beautiful tourist destinations.
It does, the Philippines is a great place to vist.
I love the beaches in the Philippines!
Just got back from Puerto Galera had a great time
Thanks for sharing a great deal of information about the Philippines. It’s a great place to visit and people have many misconceptions about our great country. The place is great and the people are very hospitable.
Thanks for visiting. The Philippines is a great place and one of my favorite places.
It’s true what you say. The Philippines don’t seem to get the same attention as the rest of the region. Perhaps I should take a stab at becoming one of the 4 million this year…
I recently returned and again had a great time. There is a lot to see and do, the country is beautiful and they have some great beaches.
awesome post! I thank you for taking your time out to write about the Philippines and one that is useful to everyone intending a visit here. As a travel blogger myself, I share your passion for traveling. I hope to see you around the Philippines though and hope to travel with you, backpacking to sightseeing places I have still to visit.
You know I love the Philippines. I have been several times and have still not come close to seeing everything. Too many beautiful islands to explore and so little time, such is my dilemma.
Thank you for this. My country needs all the boosters it can get to make the slogan work for its people. We Filipinos need to work smart to reach that tourism goal; we have a lot of work to do. I agree there is definitely a lot to see and do in the Philippines. We only have to develop as a nation.
Thanks for stopping by. The Philippines has a lot to offer, but your right there are some changes needed. Every time I go there I enjoy it more and more. I think the country is beginning to attract more visitors, but needs to improve some services and make it a little more tourist friendly.
I’ve only heard good things about the Philippines – would love to get there someday!
Like my second home I can’t get enough of the place.
I get the same frustrations when I’m at the airport, but I’m glad that you like my country in general! 🙂 I hope you got to visit the beautiful beaches, got to experience first hand the famous Filipino hospitality! 🙂 I’m going on an RTW trip soon and Manila is my first stop. It will be good to go home again 🙂
Cheers!
I love the Philippines and travel there as often as possible. I have met some great people and seen a lot of the country, though I still have more to see. Since this post was written, I have heard there are plans to open 15 more International Airports in the country and there is talk of shutting down NAIA in manila and moving the main airport to Clark. That will definitely help in the congestion.