Lakwatserong Pinoy: philippine tourism

Another Tit-Bit...

If you are a usual commuter in Manila via MRT, this is a very familiar scene. But unlike the usual passing through the metropolis, watching all the billboards in every stations, here in Madrid all rail stations are organized via its subway transit. They can be considered as underground worms roaming around the healthy land of Madrid. This is the first thing that calls my attention while wandering inside our rented car with my camera. At first, I thought it was just an underground pass but through its signage, I have concluded that indeed, its a train station. They call it "Metro" which I think where our concept of MRT have been patterned. They are located beside the sidewalks that can easily be seen and has an elevator up to 4 levels if I am not mistaken. These 231 stations has a locator map that can be seen upon entrance and is color coded so you would know in which stations you would hop for your connecting destinations. Yes, you heard me right., a Metro subways are connecting all destinations in Madrid and other country side of Spain including the famous city of Barcelona which is my next destination for 5 days.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Philippine Travel Stats that you need to Know

If you love the Philippines and want to know some important facts of our local tourism industry, I have discovered a published article research compiled by Kate Pedroso of Inquirer.

There are 276,809 total of tourists who arrived in the Philippines in February this year.

We have 2, 419 total number of domestic flights per week

There are around 285,533 number of available seats in domestic flight per week

There are 55.6 percent of Filipinos who traveled within the country to visit their relatives or friends in 2005.

Filipinos spend in an average of P1,200 in domestic travel accommodation in 2005

9 million are estimated number of households that received visitors between April and September in 2005

In Bicol region, there are 4.1 percentage growth of the influx of tourism from 2006 to 2007

There are 411,285 total numbers of domestic tourist who visit Camarines Sur in 2007

There are an estimated 5,000 plus numbers of Korean transients in Baguio as of March 2008

35 homestay facilities in Pagudpud has been accredited by the Department of Tourism

128 percent influx of Russian tourist arrival was recorded in 2007

An estimated 7,000 number of guest who visited Marinduque for the Moriones Festival in Holy Week of 2007

There are already 38 number of hotels and resort in Marinduque

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Philippine Tourism Embraces the New Media Revolution

Tourism secretary Ace Durano is hip. Why i said that? very simple. Today's new media popularity paves way to his conclusion or perhaps government decision to tap the contents from the cyberspace.

To be specific, the agency had chosen the service of Ms. Christine Gambito to be its ambassador for ti US-based Filipina, a new media practitioner and a celebrity of her own via the social site like YouTube. She gained her popularity over her "Happy Slip" channel which has over 4.5 million views as of this writing, and almost 120,000 subscribers. In fact, for just two years of pro vlogging at youtube, she now ranks in the top 4 of the Most Subscribed (All Time,).

So as you can see, Christine via her "Happy Slip" channel becomes a viral in advertising campaign and it was a grab chance for the agency. Today's technology enables ordinary people like her to be known around the globe. Her hilarious style of video publishing over the internet makes it very "pangmasa" because it shows the real person on her. So, I can't get any violent reaction why the government had choose her.

Durano's invitation for her visit in the Philippines is a good move. And for her homecoming, she does not only brings herself home but rather the entire audience who are connected with her channel as they will get a glimpse of what Christine was going through on this trip. Lots of them have not had the chance to visit the Philippines yet, and through her, there's now an opportunity for all 2nd or 3rd generation Fil-Ams to visit their hometown and see the wonders of their country that they have been forgotten for years. Glad also to know that overall, her fans sympathize along with her and as a proof, her video blog of her trip gathered almost 700 comments.

Now, may be you agree with me what the new media revolution powered by the the free media tools such as YouTube, wikis and CMS blogs are empowering ordinary people to loose themselves and express their own opinions and be heard by the global community.

Tapping Christine's talent and become the voice for our tourism can spread like fire. It boost our tourism industry and help promote the good things about this country. Now, shout out the news and lets help our tourism in our little way.