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TOURISM: A VOYAGE TO PHILIPPINES

1:29 AM |


Philippines
In my nineteen years of existence, I've seen the downfalls and the success of the Philippines. I've seen its development and its improvements. One major improvement caught my attention was its TOURISM. 

| A Glimpse of the Philippines


(1) According to the website of the Philippine Tourism, the Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. It has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese. Spain's colonization brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence. In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946. Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The Philippines is a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations. Filipinos are a fun-loving people. Throughout the islands, there are fiestas celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome to their homes. [1]


(2) Department of Tourism: In the 1950s, Department of Tourism (DOT) Started as a private initiative, the Philippine Tourist & Travel Association was organized. Then, in 1956, the Board of Travel & Tourist Industry was created by law. By 1973, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), and Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB) were created by the Philippine government. In 1986, under Executive Order no. 120 and 120-A, DOT and PCB were reorganized structurally and functionally. PCB was renamed Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation. [2]

| The Voyage

As years passes by, the tourism in the Philippines gets better and better. Most likely in the year 2008, in the administration of Gloria Arroyo, there was proposed bill regarding the development of the tourism in country. By the year 2009, the bill was approved and now called: PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC ACT No. 9593[3]. It states that it is—AN ACT DECLARING A NATIONAL POLICY FOR TOURISM AS AN ENGINE OF INVESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, GROWTH AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND STRENGTHENING THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND ITS ATTACHED AGENCIES TO EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY IMPLEMENT THAT POLICY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

  • Tagline/Slogans: [4]

The promotion and tourism marketing in the Philippines started with its slogan as “Islands Philippines” in 1994. In the 20th century, particularly in the year 2003, it was changed to “Visit Philippines”. Then in 2009, another tagline was promoted. From Visit Philippines, it then was changed to “WOW Philippines”. It was called “WOW” or also known as “World of Wonders” because it was the start where Philippines had many tourists spot or destinations and that the country was able to attract foreign people. Thus, in 2009, they were able reach growth in tourism. By the year 2010, they had another slogan and campaign called "Pilipinas Kay Ganda”. And now, recently, last year, 2012, they now began with another slogan. The slogan was called “It's more fun in the Philippines” which made a lot of impact in the country and to its people as well as to its economy.












  • Destinations: [5]

       First Stop

| SCREAMING. is MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES 

NATURE AND ADVENTURE
By Kim Ventura: DANAO, Bohol
"Are you up for an insanely good scream?"

       Second Stop

| ISLAND LIFe. MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES


Beaches

By Jun Ventura: BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan

"Europe’s party central may be Ibiza,

but Travel + Leisuremagazine just voted Boracay as the “World’s Best Island.”

 

       

        Third Stop

| AFTER SIX. MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Lifestyle
By Nyx Martinez: MANILA

"One thing is clear, be it a weekday or a weekend.

Filipinos like to go out. That's why there’s more to Manila than karaoke bars."

        Fourth Stop

| MASQUERADES. MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

CULTURE
By Jojie Alcantara: BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental
"What makes a masquerade party fun?
It’s in the smiles, of course, and Bacolod folks do it so well."

.


       Fifth Stop

| SWIM BUDDIES. MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

WATER ACTIVITIES
By Nyx Martinez: DONSOL, Sorsogon
"I was both excited and terrified. Eager, yet trembling."

 

       Sixth Stop

| BAT CAVES. MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

FUN
By Kim Ventura: SAGADA, Mountain Province
"Dark, cold, muddy, with thousands of bats — just like entering Bruce Wayne’s secret lair."



To Economy.

For the past years, Philippines indeed made an improvement to tourism. By looking at the tourism demand statistics from the website of the Department of Tourism, our economy had indeed a progress. It made a huge impact on the percentage of growth rate to the country’s economy. I believe that with the development and the approved bill about tourism, it had positive effects. One is that the there is a beneficial impact on foreign exchange where foreign country invests. Furthermore, there will be new employment opportunities given to the Filipinos. Nevertheless, new infrastructures like, hotels, malls, resorts might as well be created. Also, with this, there would be a big possibility of more trading with other countries. With this, growth in the economy will continue.
(Click To View Image)

Beyond the positive effects of the tourism in the Philippines, lay negative effects as well. One issue that challenges the Philippine tourism is the inadequate air transport in major destinations and the insufficient number of passenger aircrafts. Another issue was the incident of Quirino Grandstand Hostage Taking wherein casualties were faced by tourists. With this incident, the crime rate increases and that less tourists will enter the country. With fewer tourists, what would happen to the hotel rooms, the resorts, etc.? They then will have less income. With a less income from them, it means a NO-NO to growth to the economy. Thus, not only tourism promotes positive effects, it too has its own challenges to the country.

To the people.

Many people especially the Filipinos nowadays endorse the beauty and extraordinary setting of the Philippines. Through advertisements, chants, songs and all others, makes it more fascinating to the eyes of the people to come and be part of its magnificence and splendor. Let us enter into the recent trend: Twitter—one of the most influencing social media in the whole wide world.

Since I am an active user of twitter, recently this January, the number one trending topic for three to four days was:”#tumaklas”. This is one way of promoting the wonders of the Philippines. It has been said that “tumuklas” is a word which means “to discover”. So, why not discover Philippines for yourself? Me? I’m all packed and ready to go and promote the beauty that is truly Filipino. How about you? Are you ready to experience real FUN in the PHILIPPINES?




References :
[1] "History." Philippines. Department of Tourism. Http://www.tourism.gov.ph. 12 Jan. 2013 <http://www.tourism.gov.ph/SitePages/History.aspx>
[2] “The Department of Tourism (DOT): HISTORY.” Philippines. Department of Tourism. Http://www.tourism.gov.ph. 12 Jan. 2013 <http://www.tourism.gov.ph/SitePages/dothistory.aspx>.
[3] “REPUBLIC ACT No. 9593: otherwise known as Tourism Act of 2009.” Philippines. Department of Tourism. Tourism.gov.ph. 12 Jan. 2013 <http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Downloadable%20Files/RA%209593.pdf>.
[4] "Department of Tourism (Philippines)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 13 Jan. 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Tourism_(Philippines)#Tourism_Slogans>.
[5] http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ ; http://www.journal.au.edu/abac_journal/may99/article3_f.html                                                           Case Study on Philippine Tourism, INDRA, Asia Pacific Projects Inc.

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Posted by Unknown

1 comments:

jeconaddu said...

IMPRESSIVE!

You have a very colorful post. The details are quite informative.

Carry on! :)

GRADE: 95%

March 22, 2013 at 1:24 AM

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