Philippines expecting 15-percent growth of tourist arrivals

Philippine tourism has been a top-dollar earner for the country, propping up the country’s dollar reserves.

Philippine tourism has been a top-dollar earner for the country, propping up the country’s dollar reserves.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expected a 15-percent growth of tourist arrivals in the top destinations of the country for this year.

This reflects the efforts of the DOT to promote tourism and shows the kind of tourist attraction in the Philippines.

For this reason, tourists have been exploring the country, taking a peek at Filipinos’ history and culture mirrored by the century-old churches, ancient forts and modern museums.

โ€œDiscover the Philippines. Blessed with an extensive coastline, the Philippines is ringed with unspoiled beaches and first-class resort facilities. Its deep-blue, crystal clear waters offer about 40,000 sq km of coastline of coral reefs teeming with a wide variety of marine life,โ€ the DOT statement says.

Endowed with temperate climate, the Philippines offers a perfect treat. Lying in southeast Asia and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines boasts unsullied beaches, spectacular sunsets, luxuriant pastoral lands, cool mountain weather, brilliant man-made resorts and dazzling islands.

The Philippines boasts some of the best beaches and scuba diving waters in the world, supported by golf and an increasingly impressive inter-island tour and transport system.

Witness the vast expanse of nature’s splendor under the spell of cool mountain breeze. It is a perfect setting for romance or nature tripping and the country’s mountain villages serve as a perfect hideaway from the lowland’s summer heat.

If you have yet to see the Philippines, then embark now to what promises to be a trip to paradise. Feel the breeze of summer at white-sand beaches deemed as among the world’s finest; be fascinated at the spectacular view of Baguio and Tagaytay; and take a dip in the refreshing waters of modern resort facilities.

Boracay Island

Widely-known as one of the finest swimming destinations in the world, Boracay is blessed with unsullied fine talcum powder-sand beaches. Its tranquil crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, fishing and sunbathing. Boracay also boasts sapphire seas and spectacular sunsets. Countless coves dot the island and tall coconut trees line up along the beaches.

Boracay lies at the northwest tip of Panay, in the west Visayas region, off the Sibuyan Sea. The island is made up of little communities: Yapak in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manocmanoc in the south. Hilly elevations up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manocmanoc. Intertwining trails link the small villages together but many sometimes lead to lush tropical jungles.

Siargao Island

The newly discovered island boasts of white-sand beaches and surfing waves compared to that of Hawaii. Lying 800 km southeast of Manila, the ear-shaped Siargao island is a perfect haven for sun, seas and surf buffs. It lies on the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte and on the southeastern tip of Mindanao. The island is a mass of tropical land and scores of reefs, points and white-sand beaches.

Samal Island

Samal island offers an unending fascination with its white-sand beaches, thick mangroves, coral reefs, rolling hills and rock formations. It is an archipelago of nine islands located in the Davao Gulf about 700 meters south of Davao City. An ideal model for resort and development, it provides a fabulous site for sunrise and sunset. Samal Island, like the rest of Mindanao, is outside the typhoon belt, and enjoys relatively calm weather. Its coastline is characterized by tall, swaying coconut trees, white-sand beaches, rock formations, mangroves, coral reefs, and small fishing villages โ€” all suggestive of a tropical paradise.

Almost all of the beach areas have white sand, with widths varying from only a few meters to more than 10 meters. It provides ample space for picnic huts, reclining chairs for sun bathing, or for simply relaxing and enjoying the tropical scenery.

The water is crystal clear throughout the coastline, which varies in terrain from gently sloping sand beaches to steep cliffs and rock formations. The colors of the coastline at the beach areas transform itself from the green lush vegetation of coconut trees, to the white sandy beaches, to the dark blue color of the sea, with its deep waters and coral reefs.

Bohol’s Springs and Beaches

Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along the sparkling beaches or leafy rivers where one can stop at any point and jump in.

With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, Bohol is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. It is composed of numerous isles โ€” Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin. The Chocolate Hills are but some of the many natural wonders in the province, which is home to the world’s smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some 10 km from Tagbilaran. Other exotic flora and fauna may also be found in the forests of Bohol Island.

Baguio City and Rice Terraces

Rising 1,500 meters above the sea, Baguio City enjoys a relatively cool weather throughout the year. Baguio City is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. Not surprisingly, Baguio City has become the โ€œsummer capital of the country.โ€

It is endowed with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions that make it an important and interesting destination. As early as March, tourists and locals take the six-hour trek up the zigzagging Kennon Road. Within the city, the sweet scent of pine trees and flowers already permeate the air.

Designed by Daniel Burnham during the American occupation, Baguio City is situated in the midst of pine-covered hills.

Having visited Baguio City, a tourist should not miss the historic and breathtaking Banaue Rice Terraces that is also known as one of the wonders of the world. The terraces planted to rice remains to be a wonder among local and foreign tourists.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...