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Boracay tourism receipts top P7.8 billion
November 17, 2007 23:36
by Venus G. Villanueva
Kalibo, Aklan (5 November) --
Boracay's tourism receipts as of August 2007 is at P7,824,967,743 and still growing.
This was based on records released by the Provincial Tourism Office here, displayed during the Statistical Exhibit as part of the office' participation in Aklan's celebration of National Statistics Month.
Based on PTO's records, the arrival of 425,654 foreign and domestic tourists from January to August of this year in the country's premier tourist destination triggered the growth of the tourism receipts.
From January to August, foreign tourists who visited the island numbered 136,541 while domestic tourists numbered 235,051. Overseas Filipinos numbered 54,062.
Of the foreign tourists who visited Boracay for the period, Koreans topped the list, with 124,613 followed by the Americans, 11,272; Chinese, 6,512; and Japanese, 4,831. Other foreign visitors came from the United Kingdom with 4,529; from Germany, 4,191; HongKong, 2,835; Canada, 2,514; Australia, 2,257 and Sweden, 1,914.
Even as domestic tourists outnumbered foreigners, the latter still generated a bigger amount in tourism receipts.
For the period, foreign tourism receipts reached P4,721,287,389.80 while the locals generated P3,849,568,506.30. (PIA)
PIA Press Release
2007/11/05
Going To Boracay During The Off-Season
November 13, 2007 21:13
On our website, we suggested that the best time to go to Boracay was during the peak season (i.e. between November to May, the main reason being that the weather during these months is very conducive to water sports and other beach activities. However,... Read more...
A Special Offer From Best of the Web
October 16, 2007 19:21
Offpage Optimization If you have your own website, here's an opportunity for you as a webmaster to improve your ranking with the search engines. Offpage Optimization basically consists of all the ranking factors that are not located on your webpage that the search engines (i.e. Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.) look at when ranking a website. Undoubtedly, the most important of these offpage factors is back links to your website. These are websites that link back to your own website — the more relevant and important the website that link to you, the higher you rank with the search engines. Best of the Web! is one of the more reputable web directories and one of the oldest. They have been around for ages (since 1994) and have proven their integrity to the search engines. Submit Your Site to Best of the Web! Best of the Web! currently have a promotion valid for the next two months (from Oct '07) for you to receive a 15% discount and a chance to win a $10,000 cash giveaway. Mention the Promo Code: WIN10K. Click here. Submit Your Site to Best of the Web!
A New Package Offer From Fridays Boracay
October 4, 2007 18:13
Fridays Boracay is one of our favorite beach resorts in Boracay Island, Philippines. For years they have shown that, not only do they provide comfortable quarters for the weary traveler, but they also care for their guests' utmost safety and convenience. They have just released a new travel package that, we're sure, will tempt those of you who love traveling in style. Fridays Boracay call this new offer their Monsoon Indulgence Package. The resort has come up once again with a package which would truly rejuvenate the mind and body of guests who would avail themselves of the treatments available under this package. Guests may either choose from Aroma Flower & Salt Scrub with Aroma Therapy Massage, Facial & Aroma Therapy Massage and Facial, Aroma Therapy Massage & Flower & Salt Scrub. Treatments vary from 2 hours to 3 hours. The Monsoon Indulgence Package is in line with the recent launching of the premium spa services with the usage of superior products and services from Phytomer and Decleor (Paris). Fridays have also announced the opening of an access road at the back so that their guests will not be inconvenienced having to go through other properties. The access will be from the small hill where the Premier Suites are located then all the way down to the main road. For many years, Fridays was only accessible from the beach front but with the new Provincial ordinances, banning boat from mooring on the beach front, Fridays had to purchase more than 4,000 sq.m. of land to be able to reach the road at the back. This new access road to Fridays is aesthetically pleasing with landscaping around it. The road will be secured 24/7, well lit and kept clean at all times for their guests' comfort. For more info on this package, contact: For information and reservations:
info@fridaysboracay.com
reservations@fridaysboracay.com
Great News for International Travelers to Boracay, Philippines
October 2, 2007 13:10
Following the approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) of its application, Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will provide a nonstop service between Honolulu, Hawaii and Manila, Philippines. Hawaiian will launch the Manila service in March 2008 using its wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300ER aircraft that seat up to 264 passengers. Hawaii has nearly 300,000 residents that are identified as either Filipino or part-Filipino, representing 23.5 percent of the state's population. Hawaiian Airlines is ranked as America's #1 airline in the 2007 Airline Quality Ratings, which was announced in April. Earlier this month, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine also rated Hawaiian as the nation's top airline serving Hawaii for the 9th consecutive year. Hawaiian plans to start service with four or more flights per week, which will more than double current capacity on the nonstop route and enable significant growth in traffic. Hawaiian's research shows that approximately 170,000 people traveled between Manila and Hawaii during the past year. Source: News release by Hawaiian Airlines
Contact: Keoni Wagner (808) 838-6778
Keoni.Wagner@HawaiianAir.com
Boracay Budget Travel Tips
August 10, 2007 15:49
Our website on Boracay budgettravel tips is dedicated to giving you — the budget-conscious traveler — the best vacation you can have in Boracay Philippines. We pass on to you important tips and advice which, hopefully, will help make your holidays there as pleasant and as trouble-free as possible. A Relaxing Vacation at a Boracay Beach Resort
Is there really a secret to Boracay, you may ask? Ask any traveler who has been invited to a Filipino home in the countryside before. They will tell you about the red-carpet treatment they received from their hosts while there. Filipinos are noted for their unique brand of warm and loving hospitality. They look after their guests with unrivaled care and affection. They love to pamper their visitors — to a fault. Therein lies the secret to Boracay: the Filipino hospitality. Nowhere else is this more evident than in Boracay. And that is the reason why visitors keep coming back to this enchanting island paradise. The Filipino hospitality is a unique trait among Filipinos. There is this unusual desire to please the guest, no matter what the outcome. Filipinos know this, but foreigners who have never associated with Filipinos before are unaware of this distinctive Filipino character. Of course, to a visitor, this Filipino custom is something desirable and appreciated because it is but natural for a person to enjoy special treatment. To a Filipino, there is no such thing as an uninvited guest at a Filipino home, no matter how humble it is. If someone turns up unexpectedly during meal time, whatever food is on the table is shared with the visitor, even if it means not having enough for the rest of the family. There are so many exciting things to see and do in Boracay Philippines that this alone is enough reason to visit the place. However, the one exceptional advantage that Boracay has over the rest of world is — the Filipino hospitality. When you travel to Boracay, you do not go there just for the beaches. You visit the place because of its appealing holiday atmosphere. You go there because Filipinos treat you as someone special and not just as a tourist out for a good time. Here's what TaRits, a recent visitor to Boracay has to say about this tropical oasis:
Now is the time to go to Boracay Philippines. Experience this wonderful feeling of being looked after as someone special. Here's what you can do there: After coming back from your trip to this island paradise, please contact us and let us know if you have some new Boracay budgettravel tips worth talking about. Allow us to publish on our website your experiences and views on Boracay for others to read about and, hopefully, enjoy. Thank you.
In May 2007, Boracay Philippines was ranked #7 in the ten Top Beaches in the world by both the Chicago Tribune and the New York Newsday, based on user ratings from Yahoo! Travel.
Absolutely!
Boracay BudgetTravel Tips & the Filipino Hospitality - A Rare Combination
Boracay BudgetTravel Tips &mdash a Satisfying Experience
Boracay is such a great place that when you stay there, you would want to stay longer than you have to....
I guess that's how you feel when you are from a busy stressful place and you come to see paradise, you'll know that everything you do there will be full of fun, full of light. LOTS OF LIGHT, LOVE AND LIFE.
TaRits
Our Boracay Pages | Lodgings & Accommodations
August 8, 2007 16:16
Please check out our new pages on available lodgings and accommodations in Boracay Philippines.
New Hotels Travel Directory on Our Website
August 8, 2007 15:36
We've teamed up with HotelsCombined to help visitors to our website at Boracay Budget Travel Tips get the cheapest airfare available for selected dates.
With HotelsCombined you can:
Compare Hotel Prices from all major reservation sites
Search availability for over 100,000 hotels world wide from over 20 hotel reservation websites. HotelsCombined.com - one site to search them all!
We have also joined Technorati, one of the favorite blog directories, so we can disseminate information regarding new features on our website. Check out our Technorati Profile.
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Budget Travel Tips: Get the Cheapest Airfare When Traveling
July 24, 2007 15:18
Everyone wants to get the cheapest airfare when traveling. Find out how. The few tips below, although not all-inclusive, could save you some money on your next vacation.
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Boracay: the Seduction Island
July 21, 2007 09:22
As I was browsing the Web the other day looking for articles to add to our website, I found this short narrative by Jen Freeman in her blog at the Boracay Buzz. This should prove interesting to couples out there looking for an ideal place for their romantic rendezvous. Jen calls Boracay her home, so she should know what she's talking about:
Over the last few years, Boracay has undoubtedly earned its reputation as one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, and while the lively party scene draws the crowds during those balmy summer months, in low season this multi-faceted island still has plenty to offer those who are seeking a more relaxed and peaceful vacation.
The quiet months between June and November are the ideal time to enjoy a romantic break with someone special, and few could fail to be charmed by the delights of this idyllic island retreat.
While countless travellers have met and fallen in love under the warm caress of the Boracay sun, many others choose the island for their wedding or honeymoon, or a luxury vacation for two.
Compared with the sometimes hectic high season, the atmosphere at this time of year is significantly more restful, and therefore appealing to couples who prefer a more laid back scene.
Boracay has a proliferation of beachfront hotels and resorts, but some of the most romantic hideaways are situated a little away from the shoreline. Hidden gems such as Boracay Hills (nestled on the hillside towards the southern end of the island) provide a peaceful haven where you and your significant other can relax and unwind in beautifully landscaped grounds, complete with swimming pool and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
And the highly acclaimed Asya Resort, which despite being located close to central White Beach, offers an oasis of calm within it's walls, and an impressive list of amenities for it's guests to enjoy, including an excellent in house restaurant, Travesia.
At Fridays Resort, one of the oldest and most reputable of Boracay's establishments, luxury accommodation blends effortlessly with attractive island style architecture. Nothing is spared in terms of facilities, including a world class restaurant to satisfy your every culinary desire, while the location at the far northern end of the beach guarantees privacy and seclusion.
But don't despair that a romantic holiday may be beyond your budget as, contrary to popular belief, Boracay need not be overly expensive. Cosy hideaways such as Dave's Straw Hat Inn and Turtle Inn offer an inimitable warmth and hospitality without costing an arm and a leg, proving that you need not spend a fortune to enjoy a memorable vacation.
Even during the quiet season you'll find no shortage of activities to occupy your time, and aside from exhilarating watersports such as kiteboarding and windsurfing, paraw sailing is a popular way for couples to enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour, or scenic sunset cruise. Pack a hamper of picnic food such as deli-style sandwiches, fruit and cakes (these can be arranged at Real Coffee, Heidiland or Lemon Cafe) and ask your boatmen to take you to a quiet and secluded cove for the afternoon.
While many visitors are content simply to relax on the beach, others will opt to sooth their senses at one of the island's excellent health spas, including Tirta, Yasuragi (at Surfside Resort), and Mandala Spa - which also offers accommodation in perhaps the most tranquil setting of all.
With seduction in mind, what could be more conducive to love than swaying coconut trees, azure water and soft sugar white sand? A candle-lit meal and a bottle of wine! And while Boracay's dining options are many and varied, some certainly exude a more romantic ambiance than others.
Put some spice in to your life with the exotic Indian cuisine at True Food restaurant, located near boat station 2. Dinner a deux can be enjoyed whilst reclining on the comfy throw pillows, with subdued lighting and gentle background music completing the scene. You'll have a hard time leaving!
Another well kept secret is the Dos Mestizos tapas restaurant. Despite being just a stone's throw from the busy White Beach (located behind the Tourist Center), this cosy eatery has the understated atmosphere of a Spanish taverna, and the warm decor, delicious food and attentive service are an irresistible allure.
Cyma Restaurant, in a quiet corner of the mall, is another small but charming eatery, and the mouthwatering aromas from the open kitchen will entice you to indulge in their sumptuous Greek specialities. This restaurant is especially popular with couples, as many of the dishes seem to be designed with sharing in mind.
And if you have a passion for seafood , feast to your heart's content on the freshest catch of the day, grilled to perfection at one of Boracay's newest establishments, Grabe Cafe, which can be found right on the beachfront, close to boat station 1. Get ready to dig in and share a plate of shellfish, prawns, lobster and crab for the ultimate beach dining experience.
Take a tip from regular visitors to Boracay, many of whom claim that the peaceful low season is their favourite time to enjoy the alternative side of this ever changing island. Bring your loved one to Boracay, and create those special memories which last forever.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Seduction Island by Jen Freeman
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Boracay: Filipino Hospitality at its Best
July 17, 2007 00:26
Filipino Hospitality Flavor in Boracay The Filipino hospitality gives Boracay a unique flavor among the world's best vacation spots. The Philippines' Top Tourist Destination Boracay is no doubt one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. However, it is still relatively unknown in countries other than South Korea, China and Japan in Asia, the U.S. and Canada in North America, Germany, the U.K., Spain, France and Italy in Europe and Australia, down under. Korean Invasion
Earlier this year, Koreans broke the record set by the Americans in 2006 as the Philippines top tourist arrivals (see our previous blog on this). Koreans are going to the Philippines both as tourists and as investors. The Philippine Department of Tourism has released figures showing Koreans leading with 572,133 arrivals, followed closely by the Americans with 567,355, and the Japanese next with 421,808. Roughly, a third of the total tourist arrivals went to Boracay Island. What exactly attracts these visitors to the Philippines, or to Boracay? Koreans are mostly attracted to the country's beaches, golf courses, cheaper education and other business opportunities. Undoubtedly, Boracay stands out as the ideal place for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. One of the World's Top Beaches Boracay's beaches rival those found in the U.S. and Australia. In May, 2007, two noted American newspapers, the New York Newsday and the Chicago Tribune reported that users of Yahoo! Travel rated only three other countries outside of the U.S. in the Ten Top Beaches in the world: Cancun, Mexico (3rd place), Boracay Island, Philippines (7th) and Sydney, Australia (9th). Perhaps the beaches in the U.S. are more accessible to travelers. However, Boracay Island stands out from the rest. Visitors like the treatment they receive in the Philippines because Filipinos are very hospitable. When you go to Boracay, you do not just go there for the beaches. You go to Boracay because of the wonderful holiday atmosphere. You go there because Filipinos treat you as someone special and not just as a tourist out for a good time. Filipino Hospitality - A Unique Trait The Filipino hospitality is a unique trait among Filipinos. There is this unusual desire to please the guest, which may or not be a desirable trait. Visitors like this Filipino custom because everyone enjoys the special treatment. Filipinos know this, but foreigners who have never associated with Filipinos before are unaware of this Filipino characteristic. To a Filipino, there is no such thing as an uninvited guest at a Filipino home, no matter how humble it is. If someone turns up unexpectedly at a Filipino home during meal times, whatever food is on the table is shared with the visitor, even if it means not having enough for the rest of the family. In addition to the many exciting things to see and do in Boracay, the Filipino hospitality is the one exceptional advantage that Boracay has over the rest of world.
South Korean Tourists Invade the Philippines
July 14, 2007 21:23
There are mixed reactions to travelers from South Korea taking over as the top dollar earner for Philippine Tourism. Filipinos in the travel industry are ecstatic about this phenomenon. Not only are the Koreans going there as tourists boosting local industry and providing jobs for many, but many are there to invest in local business as well. Asian Spirit, one of the major airlines that flies to Boracay via Aklan, has now scheduled twice a week flights from South Korea to Kalibo, Aklan -- every Friday and Monday. The plane is a 165-seater and travels the distance in around four hours. Jet Damazo, in a recent (July 11, 2007) news article in the Asia Sentinel, provides us with the numbers and the other side of the coin as regards the increased arrivals from our East Asian neighbor: Koreans have invaded the Philippines, and Filipinos for the most part are welcoming them with open arms. It isn’t hard to see why. Less than four hours away by plane from Seoul, the Philippines has an English-speaking population known for hospitality, a significantly lower cost of living, and some of the most postcard-perfect beaches in the world. At the same time, Koreans are bringing in buckets of dollars into the Philippines both through consumer spending and direct investments. The numbers prove it. In 2006, Koreans took the number one spot both in tourist arrivals and foreign investment in the Philippines. More than 570,000 Koreans visited the country last year, overtaking arrivals from the US, which includes returning overseas Filipino residents and workers. On the resort island of Boracay alone, arguably the most famous tourist spot in the country, 65 percent of the visitors who enjoyed the powdery white sand last year were Koreans. South Korea, accounting for $1.2 billion of the $3.5 billion in investments that entered the Philippines in 2006, is now also the nation’s biggest source of foreign direct investment, followed by the US and Japan. A large bulk of this figure is courtesy of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., which is building a $1 billion shipyard – the fourth-largest in the world – inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales Province north of Manila. “The Philippines’s location and manpower makes it one of the best destinations for Korean businesses,” says Jae J. Jang, president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. Around 250 large factories in special economic zones in the Philippines are Korean-owned. Koreans are also among the top investors in the tourism industry. There are now over 100,000 Koreans living here also, each of whom are estimated to spend an average of $800-$1000 per month, which adds up to almost $1 billion in consumer spending each year. Koreans in the Philippines significantly outnumber those in neighboring Indonesia, estimated at 23,000, and Singapore, with only about 8,000. But instead of embracing all that is Filipino, Koreans, it seems, prefer to bring Korea with them. Wherever they settle, Korean establishments soon rise. Mini-Korean communities are now scattered all over the country. Aside from the usual restaurants and groceries, there are Korean internet cafes, salons, spas, and churches. All have prominent Korean-language signs and few offer any English explanation. It is not unusual to find Korea grocers here who even import Korean-made Coke and Lay’s potato chips from back home, even though identical products are available locally. “They keep to themselves,” says Pamela Samaniego, the head of Team Korea for the Philippine Tourism Department, echoing a familiar sentiment. It is not surprising, therefore, to hear of rifts. Local newspaper reports says that tour operators in Cebu complain that only Korean travel agencies are benefiting from Korean tourists because local operators are shut out by Korean companies. In Baguio, where the cool climate is an attraction, there are complaints about illegal business transactions and practices. Some resorts in Boracay are said to have banned Korean tourists because they leave the rooms in shambles after their stay. In Talisay, home to Taal, the world’s smallest volcano, a huge controversy now surrounds a Korean company’s plans to construct a spa resort on the island volcano despite local environmental restrictions. The issue threatens to become an us-versus-them storm.
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Our Boracay Blog Introduces a New On-line Publication for Travel Afficionados
July 13, 2007 13:05
Travel Daily Asia is a new on-line publication targeted at web surfers who want to get the very latest news about travel to their favorite vacation destinations in Asia and in Australia through its sister publication Travel Daily Australia. Its parent company, Travel Daily has been at the forefront of the Australian Travel Industry for over 10 years and it’s motto of “First with the News” is right on the mark. Travel Daily Asia has now hit the Airwaves of the Asian Travel Industry too in a Joint Venture with Travel Daily Australia. It’s an ideal time to launch Travel Daily Asia with all of the exciting new developments happening in the region and enables advertisers the luxury of promoting their staff vacancy or brand requirements and messages to the industry quickly and cost effectively. You will love the easy to read format of Travel Daily Asia to start your day. Travel Daily Asia aims to deliver consistently; honest, credible, factual information FIRST to ensure their readers think of Travel Daily Asia as their first read of the day giving their audience a quick and easy to read snapshot on the Industry Daily. We subscribe to Travel Daily Asia to keep abreast of any new developments in the travel industry in the region that will affect travel to Boracay, Philippines.
Fridays Boracay Offers Guests a 15% Discount on Food and Beverages
July 13, 2007 11:04
Up to October 15, 2007, Fridays Boracay brings back its successful offer to all guests who love to experience their little piece of paradise. Daily complimentary breakfast will be offered with existing low season rates. Fridays Boracay have also tied up with South East Asian Airlines to offer you the Seair Hot Deals. Seair passengers whose boarding passes have the Seair logo can avail themselves of a 15% discount on food and beverage at Fridays Boracay. Boarding pass should be presented to our Restaurant Manager or person in charge before availing of the food and drinks. Hot Deal promo is not applicable to packages, in combination with other promotions and during Happy Hours. Fridays and Seair Hot Deals is available until October 15, 2007. Fridays is an avid supporter of golf and, last June 04 2007, sponsored the 7th Annual Golf Tournament of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines at the Sta. Elena Golf & Country Club in Cabuyao, Laguna. The said tournament was attended by 120 golf players consisting of Ambassadors, Delegates from the European Commission and CEOs from multinational companies. The Sales and Marketing Team of Fridays Boracay attended the event wherein they had a booth to meet the players and other "Movers & Shakers".
Welcome to Our Boracay Blog
July 13, 2007 00:37
Hi, this is Marlene and Eduardo. Since this is our first entry in this blog, we would like to welcome all our readers. Our blog keeps you, the traveler, informed about what is happening to your favorite vacation destination in the Philippines. We bring you news, articles, tips and other info relevant to your travel to Boracay Island, Philippines. We keep you up-to-date about any travel deals or special offers that will save you time and money on your vacation in Boracay. We also have a separate blog on our Boracay Website which will keep you informed of any changes or additional content we make to our website on Boracay. Please visit us there. You are reading: Our Boracay Blog.
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Our Boracay Pages | Restaurants & Eateries
August 8, 2000 16:21
We also have pages on the best and good value for money restaurants, delicatessens & budget eateries in Boracay. Check these out at:
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