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11/17/2007

Manila, among Yahoo.com’s top 10 best travel sites in the world

The historic and bustling city of Manila continues to be a must-see destination for travelers around the world, placing as the 10th Best Travel Destination in a global online survey conducted by Internet giant Yahoo.com.

Manila landed in the list alongside perennial dream destinations such as Paris, France; Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Rome, Italy; Phuket, Thailand and Lisbon, Portugal.

Yahoo.com’s survey mentioned Manila’s top must-see attraction, the world-famous sunset along Roxas Boulevard and the sprawling Rizal Park.

As the commercial hub of the Philippines during the Spanish colonial rule, the city boasts of European-style architecture as evident in such landmarks as Intramuros, which houses Casa Manila, Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church. The presidential residence, Malacanang Palace, was previously where the Spanish and American governors-general held office.

American influence is also prominent in other main establishments in the city, including the National Museum and the Central Post Office.

Manila is also known for its reputation as a shopping haven, catering to budget-conscious and more affluent customers alike. Those looking for good bargains can troop to Divisoria, while those planning for a more leisurely shopping spree can visit the several malls in the Malate area.

The bustling nightlife in Malate is also hard to miss. The long stretch of nightclubs, bars and restaurants in the area offer entertainment, relaxation and gastronomic pleasures for the adventurous traveler.

Survey respondents also cited the presence of popular hotels in the city including the Manila Hotel, Manila Diamond Hotel, Century Park, The Hyatt, Pan Pacific Manila, and boutique inn G Hotel, which were considered an important factor for many tourists.

Secretary Durano said the result of the Yahoo poll speaks well of the steps that the Department of Tourism (DoT) and concerned agencies are undertaking in beautifying Manila.

The DoT expects Manila to play a major role in helping to reach goal of three million visitor arrivals by the end of 2007.

From January to August this year, tourist arrivals reached 2.053 million, or 8.5 percent better than the 1.893 million-arrival level in the same period last year.

The Shanghai experience

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s leading domestic airline highlights Shanghai as one of their newest travel destinations. This new service is scheduled to operate daily to and from Shanghai Pudong International Airport in China.

Known as the Paris of the Oriental, tourists are drawn to visit Shanghai because of their sights and sceneries, food, and because it is a popular shopping paradise. Their distinctive attractions blended with the culture of the East and West, historical relics and modernity draws intrigue and entertainment.

CEB’s VP for marketing and product Candice Iyog said, “This travel opportunity is proof that our main goal is to expand our borders of allowing more Filipinos to explore more destinations, at the same time welcoming tourists to our brilliant wonders at an affordable price.”

Shanghai is the first of four of the newest international destinations that CEB launched this quarter and is operated using CEB’s 150-seater A319 aircraft. The flight leaves Manila at 8:00 p.m. and arrives at 11:45 p.m. in Shanghai.

As the only Asian budget carrier currently operating internationally to Shanghai, “we want to be able to replicate the success of our low cost fares in the Philippines and in China as well,” Iyog said. The lowest Shanghai “Go” fare starts from 1,999 one-way and the best way to purchase tickets is through their Web site www.cebupacificair.com.

Shanghai’s booming business, beautiful attractions, cuisine and preserved wilderness truly provide an experience of a lifetime, and Cebu Pacific now makes it possible. CEB also inaugurated its Manila-Xiamen route four times weekly last September and will also fly to Guangzhou four times weekly, and Macau three times weekly since last October.

Olympics offer opportunities for Hong Kong retail industry

The Hon. James Tien, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), told the local retail industry that he foresees great opportunities arising from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but also emphasized the challenges that lie ahead. Tien urged the industry – an inextricable segment of tourism – to seize every opportunity the Olympics Games present and ensure that the light generated by the Olympic flame will continue to illuminate Hong Kong long after the games.

Speaking at the Retail Management Association Annual General Meeting held recently, Tien said the HKTB has already drawn up strategies to leverage the games for promoting Hong Kong. “Tourists nowadays rarely settle for a single destination holiday. Surveys by the HKTB show that almost two-thirds of long-haul visitors to Hong Kong last year went on to visit Mainland China,” he remarked. “Our short-term objective is to ensure that a good proportion of those who travel to Beijing for the Olympics also visit Hong Kong, while in the longer term, we aim to turn Hong Kong into a must-visit stop for all tour itineraries to China.”

The HKTB has adopted the Olympic Games as the theme for its major marketing promotions next year. Riding on the popularity of China as a travel destination, the HKTB will work with travel trade to tailor combo-itineraries that include Beijing and Hong Kong pre- and post-Olympics, while in the long run, offer itineraries that bundle up Hong Kong and other Mainland cities.

With Hong Kong being the host city for the equestrian events, the HKTB will launch a series of promotions targeting countries with a strong tradition of equestrianism, such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US and France, to enhance Hong Kong’s exposure on the international arena. Efforts will also be spent on developing equestrian-themed packages with travel trade to draw enthusiasts from around the world. The HKTB will also join forces with all relevant industries to boost the Olympic ambience in Hong Kong during the games.

Tien reiterated that the Olympics Games would have far-reaching positive impact on Hong Kong’s international reputation. “The HKTB will seek to work closely with the travel trade and all other relevant sectors in the months ahead to build an enduring Olympic legacy, to ensure that Hong Kong ‘strikes gold’ in the promotion of 2008 Olympics,” he concluded.