A thriving aviation industry is helping to drive forward a comprehensive tourism plan for the Philippines.
Philippines tourism is off to a flying start
W
ith its 7,000-plus islands, tourism is a natural focus for the Philippines and will
help diversify an economy that is built on agriculture.
Already, there are positive signs that the tourism sector is playing an increasingly important role in support of GDP and job creation. Through to October 2015, visitor arrivals and spending both increased, for example. Visitor spending in the Philippines grew over 8% compared with the same period in 2014 and, in fact, the October spend alone was more than 21% above the same month last year, indicating a longer term upward surge in the spending curve.
Department of Tourism figures reveal visitors from Korea spend the most, followed by visitors from the US, Canada, Japan and Australia. China sits just outside the top five and the expectation is that this giant will soon push higher up the charts.
Manila – the capital of the Philippines
– is naturally enough the primary gateway for the country’s visitors and air travel brings the majority of arrivals, highlighting the importance of route development.
Manila attractions In such a varied country, there are many temptations drawing in visitors.
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Manila has its own attractions too, ensuring the Philippines is far more than just a beach holiday.
Two centuries-old landmarks stand out and both are contained in the Intramuros area, the walled city that defines Old Manila.
Fort Santiago was built by Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The stone fort was completed in 1590 and since then, the fort has seen Spanish, British, American and Japanese flags raised above it in a colourful history. Although it sustained heavy damage during the Second World War, it has now been restored as a designated “Shrine of Freedom”.
Not far away, in distance and construction date, is the San Augustin Church. Based on a design by Juan Macias, building was started in 1586 and completed in 1607. The church has survived wars and natural disasters and its spectacular interior and unique architecture continue to pull in visitors. Away from Manila, there are plenty of tourism staples. A visitor can choose between beaches, coral reefs, rice terraces, waterfalls, volcanoes and even the Chocolate Hills, an incredible geological formation of more than 1,500 hills spread over 20 square miles. The Department of Tourism’s aim is to create an integrated, sustainable tourism
plan for the Philippines. By making it as comprehensive as possible, it should ensure tourism plays a key role in the development of the national economy. And for the plan to succeed, supporting infrastructure must respond to the needs of the market.
In this respect, direct international access by air will be crucial.
US service
Home-based carriers Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are playing their part.
The Cebu Pacific Group operates subsidiary low cost-carriers Cebu Pacific
Tourism is helping to diversify an economy built on agriculture
Routes News 1, 2016
routesonline.com
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