New online booking: It’s more fun on underground river tour

By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer

3:52 am | Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

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Travelers can now expect a smoother visit to the famous subterranean river in Puerto Princesa City with a new online booking system, a project launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the local government.

MANILA, Philippines—Travelers from across the world can now expect a smoother visit to the country’s famous subterranean river in Puerto Princesa City with a new online booking system, a project launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the local government.

In a statement issued Monday, the DOT said the online booking system was aimed at easing the traffic of tourists visiting the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) and avoiding confusion in securing permits from the PPUR office.

“Puerto Princesa City is a perfect example of a local government unit that works hand in hand with the national government,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. in a statement on Monday.

“We in the department are enablers of tourism. The active participation on the ground is what makes things happen, as it is always done on the people’s behalf,” he said.

The DOT and the local government’s joint launch of the online booking system for the PPUR is just the beginning of their effort to implement measures that would help ensure that the world-famous attraction’s carrying capacity will not be compromised, said Jimenez.

Being named among the world’s new Seven Wonders of Nature last year, the 8.2-kilometer Palawan river has become a top tourism draw, recording an increase of 45 percent in arrivals since 2011, according to the DOT.

The tourism agency turned over the online booking system—which can be accessed through http://ppur.com.ph even by travel agencies all over the country and even abroad—to the city government on Feb. 7.

It noted that successful bookings will receive an e-mail notification, which will serve as a digital invoice that has to be printed and presented upon the visit to the PPUR.

For his part, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn said he was optimistic the new system would result in “renewed fun” in the city and would help put in place a more efficient payment mode for visitors.

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Showcasing Bicol’s beauty and bounty

November 3, 2012, 4:09pm

Bulusan Volcano Natural Park

The Bicol region recently put its best foot forward as the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently showcased the annual OK Bikol-Gayon Bicol Trade and Tourism Fair at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall.

Now on its 16th year, it is the longest running regional trade fair which brings to the fore the distinct products and tourist spots from the six provinces of Bicol, regarded as among the fastest growing regions in the country.

According to DTI regional director Jocelyn Blanco, the expo is Bicolandia’s vehicle in developing home-grown entrepreneurs citing that some 20 percent of the exhibitors are first-timers in the mainstream Manila market.

She noted that since its inception in 1996, the exhibit has generated some P131.2 million in sales, which excludes other business transactions consummated after the event. She added that last year alone, OKB-Gayon Bicol earned P17 million, the highest sales so far, which marked a 70 percent jump in its target revenues.

Blanco said that due to the support of the DTI, producers have developed world-class packaging for processed food products which have become more competitive in foreign markets. The DTI also supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in product development by tapping local designers to assist OKB merchants in creating new designs for their handicrafts.

Among the products sold were furniture and home furnishings, fashion accessories, processed food and beverage, health and wellness concoctions, pili-based candies and delicacies, and a wide assortment of novelties.

Meanwhile, DoT regional director Maria Ong-Ravanilla said that the expo also highlighted once more Bicol’s popular, as well as the emerging travel destinations and attractions.

She disclosed that to maximize its trade and tourism potentials, the region has been clustered into the Almasor (Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon) Tourism Alliance, the Camarines Circuit and the Caramoan-Catanduanes Tourism Link.

Among the promising spots in Bicolandia are the pristine white sand island beaches in Calaguas (Camarines Norte), Subic and Tikling, (Sorsogon) and Ticao (Masbate).

Spicing up the expo were concerts and entertainment shows featuring Bicolano artists such as Himig Kapitolyo of Sorsogon Province, Jay Perillo, Barbie Almalbis, Lou Bonnevie, Nyoy Volante, Cookie Chua, Jun Lopito, Danica Sotto, and the LRay Dancers of Camarines Sur Province.

There was also a Bayong Fashion Show which showcased trendy earth-friendly native fibers, and a business caravan which provided venues for local business matching and marketing.

OKB-Gayon Bicol is also supported by the Philippine Exporters Federation, the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEPP), and the various local government units.

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PHILTOA sets 22nd Travel Mart

El Nido Resort, Miniloc Island (Photos by DENNIS DAYAO)

MANILA, Philippines -- Looking for a great vacation spot?

If you’re a travel enthusiast or you’re just in the mood to have a weekend getaway with your loved ones, you should definitely visit the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) this September. Not only will it be held in a bigger venue at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia on September 2-4, it will also feature even more tour and travel packages to the most beautiful places in the country.

The annual event is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) and is supported by the Department of Tourism. Hundreds of exhibitors will be present at the PTM to offer tour packages that cater to the different travel preferences of companies and individuals.

“We’re always looking to make the experience at the Philippine Travel Mart better and more engaging,” says Cesar Cruz, PHILTOA president. “Aside from wanting a bigger venue so that we could accommodate more participants, we also wanted to offer something different. In line with our aim to also make the Philippines a premier destination for luxury travel, we recently awarded the Top 10 Luxe Destinations in the Philippines. We will also be offering tour packages for these destinations at the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart.”

In addition, the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart will have seminars and cultural performances such as the Cultural Dance Competition the Eco-Chorale, and a memorable performance centered on the revival of the kundiman, which is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs.

Not only will there be tour packages exclusively available at the PTM, there will also be educational seminars for those who are interested in learning about the current trends in the travel industry. For the younger generation, there will be a Tourism Quiz Bee, which encourages friendly competition among its contestants as they find an engaging way to know more about the Philippines.

With its numerous activities, fun games, and great travel deals in store for everyone, the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart is a must-visit for people who are looking for a perfect vacation spot where they could unwind and have fun with their friends and relatives.

“I’d like to invite everyone to drop by the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart on September 2-4 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia,” Cruz says. “Aside from a variety of tour and travel packages, you also get to know more about the local culture.”

The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc. is an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. Founded on 12 June 1986, non-stock and non-profit organization. The membership includes travel agencies, hotel, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and association. For more information on the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart, please visit www.philtoa.org.