Deconstructing Phil. realty p.6
Alien Employment 101 p.4
Phil. business foibles p.5
7 Ways, 7 Places in a Jiff p.10
Vol. 3 No.7 Q2 2014 Philippine Edition ISSN No.
Photo by Mitch Miguel
www.theimmigrant.com.ph
Rosy Prospects Seasoned travel journalist Earl D.C. Bracamonte highlights the bright spots of the recent World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report
L
ast Valentine’s Day, President Benigno S. Aquino III emphasized the government’s efforts to develop the Philippines as one of the world’s top travel and tourism destinations. P-Noy, as the President is fondly called, was speaking before the members, delegates and participants of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014—the largest trade fairs of travel agencies,
airlines, hotels, and resorts in the country held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from February 14 to 16. “We cannot be satisfied with what we have achieved so far. The goal now is not merely to maintain our growth, but to cement our position as one of the world’s vacation hot spots,” he said. P-Noy has the numbers to back his claims as the government was able to exceed its projection: the five-
year target of 35.5 million domestic tourists, for instance, was surpassed in a matter of two years in 2011 when the Philippines enjoyed 37.5 million domestic tourist arrivals. Last year Rough Guides named the Philippines as one of the top 10 destinations in 2014. The New York Times also listed it as one of the 46 places to go. Closer to home, the Shanghai Morning Post considered it as 2013’s Turn to page 2