A few weeks back I wrote an article on one of the big problems facing Philippine tourism — and a very critical safety issue that by chance involved the Philippines ‘Top Man’ in the tourism business, Secretary of Tourism Joseph Hotchkiss Durano, commonly known as “Ace”.
As a little aside, I wonder how many otherwise intelligent and highly capable Filipinos ever give any thought to how it looks to the rest of the world to continue the use of childhood ‘pet’ names into careers in business and government. I mean how many people would take US President Barak Obama as seriously as they do if he went around a “Barry O’Bomber” the name he went through high school with? Would you hire a lawyer in a tough, dog-eat-dog legal battle if he or she was known through the court system as ‘Dimples, or Bong Bong or Ding”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s everyone’s right to use the name they want, but to an outsider looking in it sure seems a strange way to be taken seriously.
Anyway, I’ll go on record right at the beginning here as a strong supporter of Secretary Durano. He’s a man with a tough challenge, and unlike a lot of folks in leadership here in the Philippines he seems to be producing. I can’t count the number of big foreign investor hotel deals I’ve seen come to fruition during his term, and he’s active, good looking, speaks well and should be able to represent the Philippines well in the international arena.
But just look at these recent tourism statistics for 2007 (I’m focusing just on Asia here):
- China, 54.7 million visitors
- Malaysia, 17 million visitors
- Thailand, 14 million visitors
- Singapore, 14 million visitors
- Vietnam, ~5 million visitors
- Philippines, 3.4 million visitors
Pretty sad numbers, if you ask me. It’s important to have hotels and attractions in place for tourists when they get to the Philippines, but if we (I can say we, I live here and I want the Philippines to succeed just as much as anyone, don’t go getting all jingoistic on me) can’t get more visitors than that in a year, something is seriously flawed.
I mean take a look at some of the folks who outdo the Philippines more than 4 to one in the tourism business? Malaysia? Well there’s plenty to see there, but it’s twelve little ‘kingdoms’, many of them dirt poor, spread out over a huge geographic area, different cultures, different religions etc. Yet every night on my TV on the popular cable channels, like National Geographic, Discovery Channel, ESPN Sports, CNN, Bloomberg, etc., the one potential tourists actually watch, there are dozens of professionally done “Malaysia, Truly Asia” commercials that draw the eye and generate interest, even within Filipinos, in visiting Malaysia (you know to me, an hotel is a necessary evil of travelling, I need a roof over my head and the hotel needs to meet some basic standards, but I don’t visit another country because of a hotel. no matter how fancy it is).
Know where the Philippines spends the TV advertising dollar? Yep, on the shows that air on The Filipino Channel in the US and other foreign counties. Umm, Secretary Durano … hello? You don’t need to advertise to OFW’s and other Filipinos abroad. This is their home. In general there are only two categories of Filipinos abroad … those overseas to take advantage of a job or business opportunity who can’t wait to come back, or those who left, assimilated into another culture, and have no interest in coming back. Either category is pretty much a waste of advertising dollars … and no matter what their inclination about visiting their beloved bayan, they already know where home is, they hardly need to be told. It’s kind of like a US tourism agency buying ads on the Armed Forces network that goes to our military in 200 something countries … hello, they’re Americans, they know where “home’ is.
I see this all the time with Filipino businesses here in the Philippines as well. For some reason … I don’t know if it’s some sort of inferiority thing or an exaggerated and self-limiting sense of “meekness”, but so many advertising pesos are spent on marketing to other Filipinos, when, in fact, the market, especially for tourism, is the rest of the world, not other Filipinos.
How many retirement age Americans, for example, even know about efforts to attract residents like the excellent SRRV program offered by the Philippines? Why aren’t there commercials about programs like that on channels Americans and other foreigners watch? It’s talked about often, again on the Pilipino Channel programming but guess what? Filipinos don’t need it … they are already Filipinos/former Filipinos and if they want to come back here along with their pensions and investments, they don’t need any special visa programs. Target audience, Mr. Secretary, target audience. No matter what the budget, rather than focusing on what can’t be done, just spend the money you have on people who are potential customers … your business will thrive.
This little discussion wouldn’t be complete either without a mention of the most lopsided country in that depressing list of tourism figures above …. Singapore. Singapore attracted more than 3 times the tourists in a single year than the Philippines did. Why?
Places to see? Not hardly. Singapore (known to the Bruisers who were posted there back in colonial days as “Stinkapore” is a tiny island … about the size of Metro Manila, with little to see other than a modern airport, and is so crowded that one major attraction are highways built to relieve congestion which are built in tunnels that also serve as the cities storm sewers. Wow, world class, eh? Beaches? The Philippines has thousands, Singapore has mud flats. Natural resources? The CIA World Fact Book lists one for Singapore … fish. The Philippines has dozens. Hmm, maybe the Singaporeans have some sort of in-bred hereditary advantage … people don’t like to talk about this, but there is evidence that some races are smarter than others. Hmmm … Malay-Chinese heritage, which quite interestingly is the racial component of the majority of Filipinos. Better education? Maybe, but a huge percentage of skilled jobs, especially those with artistic and imaginative skills like those in advertising and TV go to imported Philippine workers. English skills? Ummm, what can I say? Problematical as they sometimes are with the current Filipino anti-English mindset, Filipino English skills, especially in pronunciation and ease of conversation is orders of magnitude better than Singaporean’s.
So what is it that makes Singapore a tourism and business “tiger” compared to the Philippines? I don’t have all the answers, Secretary Durano, but maybe, once again, a big part of the puzzle might be right there in front of our very noses … targeting. When I watch Australian TV I see commercials telling well-to-do Australians about the investment and tax advantages of living and investing in Singapore. Ever seen a commercial about the advantages of say investing in high-end Philippines condo developments, or the stability and secrecy laws of Philippines banks in these troubled times? No, of course not.
I don’t want to sound like a know it all foreigners, Mr. Secretary, but sometimes a set of eyes with an outside perspective can be of some value. The Philippines has every possibility of again being a tiger of Asia, and being a real tiger of tourism, but it’s not more money that’s needed, I would submit, it’s targeting sir, targeting, the heart and soul of any successful marketing campaign.
If you hate this article. or love it, please let me know … I have a number of other low or no cost ideas that the Philippines could use today to move itself up into its rightful place in the world … but like any idea, they need ‘buy in’ … if this line of thought is boring, I’ll write about something else.
Hi Dave,
I agree that the majority of tourist out there only hear about the Philippines when there is a disaster or terrorist attack/kidnapping. Prior to visiting the Pinas the first time. I did a lot of research on the internet and found virtually nothing until I found LiP. I found the Philippines tourist web site and several others related but nothing I found informative. Yes there needs to be more advertising maybe starting with the travel channel and maybe the History channel; and also somewhere to get quality information. Actually I think the Government of the Philippines should add a link on thier site to this site and subsidise Bob because LiP gives more useful information then they do. Also the us embassy should advise people that the Philippines is just as safe if not safer than visiting New York city or Washington DC and much safer than Mexico.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on this, Richard. I'm hoping I get some interest and comments from my Filipino freinds and readers. I already got some off-web feedback from a knowledgeable Filipino whom I respect that kind of threw me. I was told I was a bit out of line with this article becuase I was writing without knowing the full scope of the efforts of the DOT world-wide. Mea Culpa. But I still don't think that invalidates some of my suggestions.
Filipinos don't need to be told about the Philippines, foreigners do, and when the budget is limited, I really think the DOT could get more bang for their buck (Peso) by reaching out to the folks who never hear about the Philippines except when CNN picks up a story about somehting bad that happened.
Anyway, this is by far the fastest response to any article I have ever written here, so we shall see what the future hold.
Good article. The figures surprised me, I thought it was way more popular than Vietnam. One piece of advice I could give, Improve the infrastructure and they will come. It,s easy to get here but not so easy to get around. As for singapore most "tourists" are probably just on a stopover waiting for the next flight so maybe they aren,t really tourists.
"This is a good one Dave" .. If people don't hear about a place then they won't come. They go somewhere else they have heard about and it sounds more exciting …Phil n Jess
Hi Dave,
You're right, there's nothing out there in the rest of the world on the Philippines. I have seen that "Malaysia, Truly Asia" advertisement here in Austria many times on the TV and in magazines.
There are travel programs to Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian countries but in eight years I have yet to see one on the Philippines . . . oh, sorry, except on Philippine terrorism!
I was guided through my trips by my friend and his wife in northern Luzon who had lived there for ten years. He provided many helpful details on travel and hotels. Then I found Bob Martin's LiP which is an encyclopedia (Wiki?)of knowledge on the Philippines.
Too bad the DOT wouldn't provide a Blog (I vote for Bob Martin!) to promote the Philippines and also answer questions. I think the answering of questions is the most important part.
People are interested in visiting – they just never get any information or answers.
I am completely at a loss to understand how the Philippines fails to sell itself to the tourists – the attractions could be immense.One problem I have observed is over exploitation of the existing resorts – they become crowded and lose the reason for existence as there does not seem to be any overall concept of planning and control – developement just seems to evolve.There is a huge lack of vision as to the way to properly exploit the natural attractions of this beautiful country.Manila has few attractions and getting around the city is a nightmare – I drove from Las Pinas to Quezon city last month – 3 1/2 hours! and arrived absolutely mentally frazzled.The ethos should be to move the decision makers and the centre of the tourist industry out of Manila.Bring in foreign consultants with no preconceived ideas and no favours owed – money will have to be invested- change the laws so overseas companies can set up here with some kind of security and ownership of their companies and ownership of land.Businesses will not come here out of charity – there has to be a profit motive. Too many have been to put it bluntly, screwed by partners taking advantage of laws from the time of Marcos
Good Article Dave…but I disagree..the less foreigner coming-in the better for Filipinos in general. A sudden influx of tourist would drive the airfare/accomodations up until ordinary Pedro can't afford to be a tourist in his own country…Lets just keep the beautiful Philippines for Filipinos and for the few expats who discovered it…I know, my mindset is a little bit counter progressive tourism wise but there are greater benefits keeping the country side from being commercialize…The best example of fully commercialize tourist spot is Boracay, have you been there? How I wish that they did not brought electricity to this beautiful island…sad… 🙁
The first time I visited the Philippines in 1985 it was an ad in an American travel, food lifestyle magazine (Sunset Magazine). The ad by the Philippine Tourism Dept. convinced me to visit despite the constant bad news that was coming from there, and since then and I have returned more than a dozen times. That magazine is still exists, and is targeted to the western states. I didn't have any other reason to go there, other than that ad and a recommendation from a friend who I thought was crazy.
Great article! The cliche "preaching to the choir" came to mind. You're right about their advertising. I can't remember when I saw an ad about the Philippines. For the most part, the only news I've seen has been of the negative variety.
Dave,
You are right in saying that the tourism advertising campaign by the government is dismal. Here in LA, travel magazines, LA Times show Asia destinations and Philippine tourism ads are nowhere to be found. I don't recall seeing one ad for the Phil.
I don't know what/where the DOT's 'full scope of worldwide advertising' Definitely not here in the US. Maybe the budget ends up elsewhere???
From a venting OFW Juan dela Cruz
Amen. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, there are some very basic infrastructure changes that could be implemented at little or no cost.
Sadly tourists are viewed as marks and targets to be hustled today look for it to increase as the government continues to fail. The first time I visited Manila in 1973 it was a pleasant experience the last time I was there in 1990 I swore I would never return thus ending 20 years of working and living there, after I bought my first home there in 1977 I quickly realized the place was a lost cause as since I was no longer renting, I was no longer one of the masses that was dependent on them? As a career US Navy retiree over my entire career in Westpac I have YET to see ANY Philippine success story I see a lot of marooned guys telling each other how great it is? My MIL just passed away a few years back in Southern Leyte and I finally after a 30 year association with the place got $300 profit on the sale of her land? I do not consider living in a walled in compound paradise. Until the Government cracks down it will never get better as even the Hotels are used till they fall apart as preventative maintenance is unknown Most close after two or three years of abuse? If you like being a 3rd class citizen in a 3rd world country so be it, but The people of the Philippines are the ONLY ones to correct the situation and the good ones all want out? Who in their right mind wants to go on vacation to be hustled and cheated? I lived in Guam a couple of years and the place was swamped with Japanese tourists every winter? Why? Because they could take their families there,now all you get are the single guys looking to get laid No Japanese in his right mind would bring his family to the Philippines for a vacation and the Pinoys have nobody to blame but themselves you an get in a cab anyplace in Japan and the driver does not play games and uses the meter? When you transit terminals who do not have armies of fools poking at you and begging?
Hi Dave,
You are correct,there is more to building a thriving tourism industry than just building a few fancy hotels.
Having visited many places in Asia over the years,with several visits to Malaysia and Singapore, i can see some of the problems facing RP.
Apart from the marketing issues you have mentioned there is a huge need for Tourism infrastructure.
As we know its difficult to book internal flights on some carriers from overseas.Even worse, many hassles trying to book internal flights with overseas cedit/debit cards when in country.
Many people like to arrange their own holidays booking online,this can be very difficult when many hotels are not online,and those that are never reply to your emails.
Tourist areas must be kept clean and tidy.
Staff must be very knowledgeable and helpful.
Tourists must be made to feel welcome and happy.
Just my 10 cents worth,regards Chas.
Singapore is a fine example I have been there many times and always enjoy it I have never been hustled there the only problem I ever had was with a Thai girl who ate the contents of the Mini Bar while I was asleep? Them Candy Bars cost big$$$$! So much for her tip? Hope she was full? They still cane people there they need to start caning people at NAIA! My SIL used to live directly across from the terminal within easy walking distance, most are unaware that the majority of the workers there live in the riverbed under the flyover? I used to give them Golden showers on my way home!
Dick –
For what reason? Simply because they were poor and had no other place to sleep? All I can say is that your name is fitting.
I don't know how much the budget for DOT this year. But I think they need to exert more efforts to double up the figure of tourists this year…
I lived in Angeles City, Pampanga for 4 years and as I observed most the basic commodities there are too expensive compared to some other cities. Even if you ride for a tricycle it costs you P60 for a half kilometer. Oh well, according to local folks it's because there are lots of foreigner especially Americans…
Thanks for writing, Daryl. Bob and I have a private joke where we sometimes come up with the same ideas and kid each other about sevretly spying on each other. Now, I'm adding you to that list *wink*. Basic infrastructure, especially at airports, is the subject of my next 'suggestion' article, already in the hopper.
You are correct in one area I didn't think of that skews the figures I quoted. Hong Kong and Singapore airports are major hubs where people change planes, and I am sure many of them take advantage of free stop over stays that airlines normally provide. They would of course be counted as tourists, (if they go out through immigration) and thus show up the same as tourists who actually flew there as a destination. Manila, Cebu and Clark are all at the end of the line for the airlines that serve them, people very seldom transit through them for another international destination … so I'll give points there, the figures may well be exaggerated in that sense.
Right on target, Jess. When my wife and I were running a 'brick and mortar' business back in the US, we enjoyed some success, but I know now we could have had a lot more. As the person who had most of the contact with potential clients, my weakness has always been asking for the sale. You can show off all the wonderful 'product', which the Philippines has in spades, but in the end, someone has to issue a 'call to action' … like "Call 1-800-Philippines to book your trip today,"
Pictures of the Chocolate Hills are lovely, but no one will come unless you ask them to.
Exactly, John. I thought those "Malaysia, truly Asia" spots were going out world-wide, thanks for the confirmation.
Actually, although I think the idea of a government sponsored blog is a good one, they already _have_ blogs available to them … they just don't _offer_ anything. Example … going back a year or so ago I came across some excellent package deals to different locations around the Philippines on one of the DOT's confusing array of websites. I was ecstatic. People write me all the time and ask me about deals like that. I would write about them and help promote them any day of the week, for no more reason than my readers want the information.
Know why i don't? After I checked the fine print, I found the tour packages were specifically _not_ available to foreigners. Huh?
Who are they expecting to sign up for thousand plus US dollar tour packages? The Filipinos who are in that price range already have a driver and a Pajero to take them there, they don't ride coaches anyway. The majority of the 'rest of the Filpinos' can't lay out that sort of money.
Yet again, I'm saying this not to sound like just another complaining foreigner, but to point out it is not the budget holding the country back, it's the targeting.
Good points, Bryan, and falls right into the category of things that can be changed for little or no expense. Frankly, if I had backing and the desire to build a hotel or resort, I would never build it in the Philippines … becuase the investment laws, the rules of land ownership, and the distinctly anti-foreigner business rules are archaic.
This is not a matter of budget, also, it's a matter of simple integrity … even with contracts made directly with the Philippines government itself you may still never get paid. Sad,
Nice report, Rob. I remember Sunste Magazine from days gone by when I used to live in Colorado. Does the DOT still advertise there? Nice proof that advertising works.
Thanks David. Indeed that seems to be the case. Youy know I get an excellent newsletter mailed daily from the Philippine deprtment of Foreign Affairs … the Philippine equivilant to the US State Department. I'd love to see their mailing lsit … some of the items are newsworthy, I wonder if they are even sending the press leqa;
releases out to CNN, BBC, ABC and major US stations. I dunno, but email is free.
Dave: It all comes down to marketing… like every other product (and tourisn IS a product.) Think of it this way, who would have thought anyone would PAY for a bottle of water until 30 years ago when Evian so successfully told everyone it was a necessity!
Marketing is the key to any success. Look, have you seen the advertisements on CNN depicting Angola as an investment paradise? Angola! Egads! However, the ads are very slick and garner attention. They are targeting the people who are likely to invest or have the money to invest. Another example: Dubai. The tourism industry is almost exclusively targeting Norther Europeans in the cold winter, and if you think that Singapore is lacking in tourist sites, Dubai has even less, far less, that is worthwhile. Yet, the reputation as a "destination" is growing. Why? They have employed excellent PR and advertising.
The natural beauty of these islands and the people here are the country's assets. Show these assets to those who can afford to visit them!
Dick. Your comments and attitude are distasteful to me. I was debating how to respond without getting too 'over the top'. Fortunately, Bob already leaped in with basically all that needs to be said. Except for one word I would add. "Yuk".
You got it, John. Thanks. It isn't what you spend, it is where you spend it.
The average Australian has NO idea about the Philippines, we think of bali and thailand as close holiday destinations, the Philippines is not even in the top 10 and it should be !
Australians travel more than nearly any country on earth and not a dollar is spent trying to capture that market, we hear a bad news report about once a month and that is it !
D.
Atong Estradas comment about Boracay are so true – a beautiful place ruined by over exploitation.Where I cannot agree with him is his rejection of tourism completely – prices may increase but jobs for the people will increase – have you seen countries who have thriving tourist industries trying to reduce the number of tourists? If properly controlled there is an overall benefit, infrastructure will improve and general facilities also.Unfortunately the ability to plan and control projects in the Philippines over a long term seems to be lacking.Also lacking is the routine maintenance of facilities – things are built then allowed to deteriorate until they are no longer functioning.Money spent on maintenance seems to be regarded as money wasted.
I am now waiting for Jenny to tell me how wrong I am about all this!!!
dave what was the percentage of american investors again?
Poor has nothin to do with it bucko unlike you I used to HAVE to live and work in the Philippines and did so for 20+ years and if I see a cocaroach in my front yard I dont stomp it but if one is in my house it gets the boot these people make your life MISERABLE at the Air Terminal a whole army of Touts and pimps living in a ditch next to the airport dont know how it is in Davao but the first time I was ever in Manila it was in 1973 and the pinoys would not even think of speaking to a white boy let alone trying to rip him off, the last time I was there everybody and their mother wanted a piece of me I first went to the Philippines as an 18 year old kid and was poorer than most Filipinos as I was making around $80 a month back then and used to drink Quatro Kantos on the corner with the estanby and lived in a Filipino Boarding house with no running water and know the drill and the things you dont tell people are the wonders like how the clinics re-use disposable gloves and syringes, over the years I have paid out of my pocket to save peoples lives there who cannot afford medical care? How many babies have you buried? That die from the shits? They are your neighbors unless you live in a walled compound? Ever been in Forbes Park? Well I have I got relatives who work in there go have a look someday and see how much their own people care? I pee on Homeless BUMS here also, I aint buyin what your sellin so dont get all tore up about it just file it away as others might be interested in the truth warts an all this aint a bad thing but I have been married to a pinay now for over 30 years who has 12 brothers and sisters and do not SUPPORT any of them and they DO NOT expect it? We get along very well and for some reason even though they make good money by Philippine standards they do not find it a Paradise? In fact most of their children work abroad The Aussie is right they LOVE to travel but right now I dont think any one of them would bring their family there as Oz is cleaner than the US?
So you aint got a clue if you find the truth distasteful, you dont have to agree but I can assure you I know as I used to wander the streets there 24/7 and know where all the skeletons are I even did a tour as an Armed Forces Policeman in Town during Martial Law in 1973 scraping dead hookers off the sidewalks and watching GIs get hauled away from bum drugs ? It must be crazier now with Shabu?
Dick – my name is not bucko. Please watch your language and check your attitude at the door if you wish to participate here.
Hello Dave. Actually I was only going to say that the US state department does not help tourism at all. My I did go to Mindanao but it strongly suggested I not. Unfortunately they don't say much about the rest. Then I read Dicks remarks, and I hope he has been stopped by Bob already. He is younger than you and I and married to a filipina. How sad for her. There are many poor people living under bridges all over the world. And most do not disrespect others, they only want to live. There are also people that hate because they are not like them. Dick must be one. I am sure he treats his filipna wife the same as he does others. Sorry for the off subject because I agree with all others.
Well for what it is worth you have no ideaa how I treat others you dont beg from me or steal from me I do not bother but you start trying to shake me down stand by and thats a fact my wife and I have been together for OVER 30 years all over Asia and have had a great life but just because I refuse to knuckle under to touts and criminals makes me a bad guy? So me a favor live down there permanent, do not even try to come back you might meet someone like me and DO NOT be like the Vietnamese in 1975 and expect me to come get you? And for my pal Bucko Bon Bahala na, adios!
Adios Dick
Bob I like you more everyday.
I couldn't agree more about Singapore. What on earth? Fish and only fish as a natural resources? And I think these fish are put on tanks? hahaha. Its really sad to know that the department of tourisn doesn't know how to target clients. I haven't seen any go-to the Philippines ad on CNN or even on BBC all my life! All I saw was Malaysia truly Asia and Incredible India and Maldives! I feel sorry foe secretary Ace Durano for this but claps and standing ovation for his efforts in bringing people here. Kampai. Just visited this website, me love it! 😀
Hello, Bryan G. I'm glad you and I enjoy a good, sound and interesting discussion. I couldn't agree with you more, this time. I know you're concerned, too. The DOT people are actually using YouTube to advertise Philippine Tourism. Check it out. In the early 90's, they did advertise tourism on CNN, under "Sights and Sounds". Expect tourists from Russia and France this year.
Hello Jenny – I remember the "sights and sounds" ads – it would be interesting to see the tourist figures of that time to see if there was any kind of increase in the numbers.
Perhaps with more flights going to regional airports bypassing Manila things will improve as Manila has few if any attractions except good shopping for clothes – the quality of SM goods is excellent and prices low but would you trade the problems of getting about for some cheap shopping?Places like "168" in Chinatown would have the tourists pouring in but have you ever tried getting there?A couple of hours in the traffic here would reduce the average western tourist to a gibbering wreck.The recession will hit all tourism but I think the European and British markets should be aimed at as there is a tradition of getting away from the lousy weather and people are becoming more adventurous.The Brits are getting tired of Spain etc and if they were offered organised packages they would come.
That is why I suggested foreign operators – they know what their own people want.
I had never heard much at all about The Philippines here in the USA and until a few years ago all I knew about it was that is was out in the pacific sompleace past Hawaii. A few years ago quite by accident while I was websearching something totally unrelated, I found a place called Iligan City which had an interesting sounding name, to me. There was no shortage of information about Iligan City or Mindanao on the internet although I had to go looking for it and I found out plenty !
This was the first time I wanted to visit a place that seemed to have so much discouragement from others. US State Dept travelers advisories, warnings etc. Filipinos at my job ( none of which had been to Mindanao ) told me I was nuts to try to go there. Health and food advisories so numerous it would give you a headache to even think about them all, Negative press reports form Philippine Press websites and the list goes on and on.
Amoungst all the bad news and warnings I had found on the internet and from other sources, there were many nice things that I had seen in pictures, videos blogs etc. put on the internet by people that live there and this is what interested me more and more in going there to visit. I spent over two years reading about these things and cross referencing and verifying a lot of information.
The numerous warnings about eating there were kind of a drawback and I thought maybe I would have to bring a suitcase full of food to survive on during my stay. I did find what I considered to be a " fail safe ' source of food and after careful research I felt certain I would have no problem eating at Jollibee ! ( yes, they really are concerned about the quality and safety of the food they serve ).
I went to a " Travel Doctor " here for recommended vaccinations for possible tropical diseases virtually not found here in the northeast USA.
It was the longest air flight I ever took, about 22 total hours in the air plus 3 stop overs and change of airports in Manila. Considering the time / date zones involved going by the calandar it took 2 days to get there !
Then on top of all of that, all the stories about the Taxi Drivers, tourist rip offs, etc. We have similar things happen in New York City too so it was not like this kind of thing was new to me so I just kept myself aware of things as best as possible.
All of the information is out there somewhere on the internet, just dont expect it to be all served up for you from a tourist agency or Dept of Tourism. I must say however, when I stopped in at the Region 10 Dept. of Tourism in Cagayan De Oro I got immediate service in answere to some questions I had and No nonsense !
Unknowingly, it was the people that lived in the area I wanted to visit ( Iligan City ) through their postings of pictures of everyday things ( not tourist sites exclusively ) , videos put on youtube and numerous text postings that gave me the interest and informations I wanted to see and that is what captured and retained my interest.
For detailed info and the most accurate, it was none other than Bob Martin that was able to answer anything I could not find an answer for any place else. Also an American explaining somthing to another American leaves little chance for any translation error. Bob Martin told me that I should not have any problems in visiting Iligan City and not to be overly concerned about any of the food there although to use common sense.
Obviously, many people would not have gone through all the time I had put into learning about a place on the other side of the world they had never been to before and had heard such a high percentage of bad news about. I can easily understand how that could discourage a lot of people from visiting such a place when they could just book a pre-packaged tour somewhere else.
For me however, there were so many things in the pictures I had seen, taken in Iligan CIty by those that live there I just wanted to see where those pictures were taken and put myself " in the picture " even if only for a few moments. All the time I had spent learning about Iligan City, Mindanao and how to get there and back all paid off in the end as it turned out to be a whole lot more than I expected resulting in what I consider the best vacation I ever had.
Hey Bob New York … Did you go and see the Maria Cristina falls ..Phil n Jess
Hi Phil and Jess, Yes I certainly did but what was even more of a thrill was the breathtaking Tinago Falls a few miles out of the city proper. About 400 stone steps to the bottom of the ravine where the lagoon is located was worth every step. There is a raft for taking visitors right under the falls for a better view of the cave hidden by the massive amounts of water from the falls that also appears to be comming right out of the rock at various levels.
I had made advance preparation for the hire of a Jeepney for an entire day ( 9 hours including the lunch stop ). I filled the jeepney with my Entourage and as it was chartered, no worry about snatchers or other unknown persons to climb aboard. I think the Jeepney hire cost me about $35 ( in USD ) including the fuel.
At the conclusion of jeepney touring Iligan City at the end of the day I tipped the driver 500 PHP ( about $12 USD to me ). My Iligan friends thought I way overtipped the driver and maybe for there, I did. You should have seen the look on the drivers face when I handed him the 500 peso note, he almost refused but I insisted.
I later explained to my Iliganon friends that if Ihad hired any kind of vehicle here for 9 hours of local touring and gave the driver a $12 tip, more than likely the driver would have torn up the paper money, spit in my face and then punch me out right on the sidewalk LOL. At several times when we were touring I had tried to figure out what to tip the Driver, especially in some of the tight spots in the heavy and congested downtown traffic in Iligan City. I would not have had the patience for that if I had rented a car. This jeepney tour was also a big treat for my Entourage made up of Iligan friends I had made as I believe going to some of these sites would have been something they may not have done on their own.
You can check out my " visit to Iligan City " slide show presentation in the video section of this website for a synopsys of my first visit to Iligan City. I returned for another visit 6 months later and I hope to be able to go back there later this year. I really enjoy going there.
I am thinking about putting together some kind of jeepney hire for touring around Cagayan De Oro. For some reason CDO seems to be more of a resort city than Iligan although I still have not found as many things there that interest me as easy as I find things of interest to me in Iligan City.
For me, the people that live in these places can do a much better job in promoting tourism than could ever be done by any commercial or government websites. People just have to know about the existance of places like Iligan City, Cagayan De Oro, Davao etc. and then know where to websearch for the real low down on what is there and whats happening.
As far as promoting Mindanao in its entirety to the rest of the world, in my opinion Bob Martin and his websites lead the way.
Looking from the sidelines, I couldn't see why the Philippines could not develop its tourism industry given the low cost of living and the abundance of coastal resorts and other natural attractions of the country. Already, income from tourism is vital to economies of a number of countries. Spain, the most visited land, earned $3.08B from her foreign visitors in 1976. Canada earns more from tourism ($1.9B) than from wheat exports.
Spain's success as Europe's main tourist country is due to its low cost of living in the 70's, its high sunshine record, cheap real estate and building cost, availability of inexpensive labour and active encouragement of tourist investment by the government.
Even with the rapidly increased costs in the 80's, it remains the most popular country if for no other reason than that it is the only nation in Europe which can cope with the millions who seek the sun mostly on modest budget.
The USA has only moved into the big international tourism league due to two things – the development of cheap air travel and the active promotion of both government and private enterprise (the airlines in particular) to encourage foreigners to visit there. But the air fares motivation has been the greater.
Italy and France have also sought to attract mass market tourists with such developments as the resorts on the Italian Adriatic Coast and in the southwest of France.
An example how pattern can change is the Caribbean island of Barbados, where previously most of its tourist came from Canada and the USA. However, with the increasing availability of moderately-priced package holidays based on charter flights from Britain and Germany, more Europeans are now coming in.
Overall, the simple desire to take a holiday in a totally different surroundings, preferably at low cost and quite often to some resort on the sea coast lies behind most tourist journeys.
However, the government and concerned sectors should take note that tourism is not an end in itself. Without proper planning and safeguards for the environment in its widest sense, tourism can be a blight. But with full cooperation on both the government and the private enterprise, tourism can be of immense benefit to the country.
Excellent article, Dave. I feel that the tourism ads are geared to other Asian Countries ( Korea and Japan). The reason, I believe this is true is the fact that the newly completed resort and Spa ( Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa)in Marinduque is mostly patronized by Korean and Japanese tourists. A small percentage of their clients are the rich Filipinos from Manila who can afford the daily rate of $253 per night plus 12%VAT and 10% service charge. This is the cheapest room. If you want a 3 bedroom villa with your own swimming pool, you will have to pay $752 per night. You still have to pay for your meals which will cost you between 1500 to 2000 pesos per meal. Indeed this a luxurious resort that only the rich and famous Filipinos can afford. But the Koreans and Japanese tourists love the place. If you want to know more about the resort, I wrote a short article in my blog, http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com
Well disagreement and opinion are what life is about, so I welcome yours. I beg to differ though in your estimation of the Philippines being 'beautiful' without investment and income to improve life for Filipinos.
To speak the way you do, you must be relatively well off … perhaps you don't see the children starving, the virtual complete lack of public education in metro areas, the "hospitals" with virtually no doctors and no running water or drug supplies, etc.
Building a fence around the Philippines to stop progress doesn't seem to me to be a way to preserve anything 'beautiful', except for the chosen few who can be at peace with themselves honking at the beggars in the street as they hurry to their next social engagement.
Those folks picking trash in the landfill and eating rotted scraps when they eat at all are Filipinos too … are you including those folks in your plan to close off the 'beauty' of the country to 'preserve' it for Filipinos?
Agreed, Philmor, but please leave 'budget' out of the equation. That's sort of my whole point … rather than think of more schemes to spend money on, spend exactly the same money but target it properly.
I'm a long time US government employee … and I see that it works the same in Philippine government. Whenever a government program is not having success the answer is always 'throw more money' at it … and of course the refuge for the lazy worker is, "I can't do that task until you find the funding'.
My real suggestion is don't raise the budget a single centavo, just get a better rate of return on the centavos currently being spent.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Thnaks Bob New York. And one of my7 hidden hopes is, the DOT wouyld read this column and these comments and even use the web to promote 'real' people's stories, rather than expensive actors in TV commercials. I think their 'band for the buck' would be much greater.
BTW, Bob fNY, this is not the first comment of yours I have read, fascinated, wishing I wrote full-fledged blog articles as well as you express yourself in the comments. I suggest you have a ord with our editor in chief here … or send me your next opus over at my PhilFAQS blog … I always enkoy your work.
Thank you, mandaragit . Indeed you brought out a couple points I decided not to include in order to keep my article a little shorter than my usual 'a bit too long' ones.
Spain is an excellent example and especially Spain's Canary Islands (Tenerife, et al). There are many people all across Europe who go to the Canaries to vacation or even to retire mainly becuase the Sopanish government has promoted them for such a purpose. Not too many years ago vacationing in the Canaries would have been laughed at.
But you expend the effort to give a place a 'brand' and make only modest infrastructure improvements and bingo, you have a tourist destination.
An interesting story about how I found out about those islands. I even lived in England for several years and still had no idea where or what they were. But some years later a british freind wrote to tell me he and his wife were off on a new adventure there … becuase of some special promo the panish government had made to mmiddle-class Brits of retirement age. That's what I mean about the targeting.
Spain didn't make the Canary islands a tourist destination by marketing to overseas Canary islanders.
Excellent point, David. Indeed Americans like me often think 'we' should be the target market, but having lived in Japan myself , I know that if you package things the way Japanese want to see them packaged, the Japanese are happy to spend money at a rate that even many well-to-do "Kuripot Kanos" wouldn't dream of.
@ Allan Noel; Sorry I missed your comment in the chain mealier. That's the point indeed. Advertising on The Filipino Channel atbp is pouring money down the drain, like the priest inviting the choir to attend mass next Sunday … it's not the choir you need to attract.
This may have something to do with the misplaced concept of Filipino "meekness". To talk to, invite, "sell" to strangers is very "bold" and very "direct", very much not attuned to Philippine cultural norms.
This may account for one of my "pet peeves' as Bob calls iot … the one free thing 95% pr so of Philippine business refuse to do … answer the email … if I had a dollar for every time someone has reported to me that they sent an email to a hotel or other tourist business her ein the Philippines and never received a response, I'd have enough money yo own my own hotel.
Among themselves and with those whom they know, Filipinos are among the most hospitable and accommodating people on earth. But to a stranger's inquiry about spending money at their business? 9 of 10 refuse to even try. The impression on the foreigner making the inquiry is very, very negative. Many business won't even invest in a $2.50 a year 'real' .ph email address, let alone a web site. Even many substantial businesses here don't think enough of themselves not to use an obscure Yahoo email or to send their clients through the silliness of Multiply or Facebook.
Yeah it is Dave's laughable 'peeve', except that business loses million per year with their reluctance to move into the 21st century.