By , MANILA STANDARD
These 7,107
islands are finally getting the recognition they deserve. After being
perennially ignored for a long time in favor of other exotic Asian
locales, the Philippines is now among the emerging destinations shaking
up the world of travel. Thanks to aggressive marketing campaigns and
effective branding strategies undertaken by the Tourism Department and
supported by the the Filipino public here and abroad, Philippine tourism
is on the brink of a renaissance.
Travel guide creator and publisher Lonely Planet included the
Philippines in the list of top 10 countries to visit in 2015 in its
“Best In Travel 2015” guidebook—one of only two Asian countries on the
tally. (The other is Singapore, which takes the top spot.)
counterparts are putting the Philippines back
on the map. DAVID CHAN
The write-up on the Web site states, “Many would say the time is well
overdue for the Philippines to be recognized as the next big travel
destination in Southeast Asia,” citing its “beautiful coastlines,
fringed by dive-tastic coral reefs, sprinkled with sunbathe-ready white
sand, backed by swaying palm trees and dotted with simple resorts of
nipa-palm thatched huts.”
It adds that there are “plenty” of live-changing experiences (such as
“clinging to the back of a jeepney speeding through the crowded streets
of Metro Manila”), as well as “street parades, food festivals, sports
tournaments and live music shows.”
From “hundreds of places that are exciting right now,” the
destinations that made the recommendations guide are “just 10 countries,
10 regions and 10 cities,” each “chosen for its topicality, unique
experiences and ‘wow’ factor.” (“Best In Travel 2015” is now on sale
through www.lonelyplanet.com for $14.99.)
In a separate story on the Lonely Planet Web site, writer Trent
Holden raves about the nation’s capital. He says, “Boasting everything
from craft beer, street food and speakeasy bars, to live music and a
contemporary art scene, Manila is emerging as one of Asia’s most
happening capitals,” crediting the development to “a new generation of
fun-loving Manileños determined to put it back on the map.”
The country is also on the radar of luxury travel magazine Conde Nast
Traveler. Its Readers’ Choice Awards for Top Islands in the World named
Palawan as the number-one choice and Boracay as the 12th.
Meanwhile, travel industry publication TTG Asia, a licensee of Travel
Trade Gazette, hailed the Philippines “Destination of the Year,” an
award bestowed upon the “most outstanding destination [in the region]
for taking proactive steps and initiatives towards the development and
promotion of the travel industry.”
All these are expected to raise the profile of the country in 2015,
which the DOT declared as Visit the Philippines Year, “an invitation for
all to experience the enduring promise of more fun in the Philippines.”
