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Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Filipinos plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than year before
Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Around 70% of Filipinos are planning to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the year before, according to data collected by travel agency Klook.
During an industry update held at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel attended by select media outlets including Philstar.com, Klook's General Manager for Philippines and Thailand Michelle Ho provided an industry update on key travel trends in the Asia Pacific region.
Referencing data from Macquarie Research and Cirium, Ho pointed out that Asia travel recovery continues to be strong.
In 2023 alone, Asia flight capacity recovered by 75% and by the end of this year is expected to reach 3.4 billion passengers, which is 99.5% of the passenger count in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
To reiterate her point, Ho showed the airport international passenger recovery rates of five major Asian cities in 2023 compared to 2019.
Singapore is nearing full recovery at 90% while Tokyo and Bangkok (composed of the Suvarnabhumi and the Don Mueang international airports) are at 75% and 70% respectively.
Hong Kong's recovery rate is at 60% while the Chinese capital of Beijing is still at 40%.
Ho then referenced results of a Klook Travel Pulse Survey conducted last January that showed 64% of travelers would spend at least 30-50% more on 2024 travel than the year before while over 60% will spend up to half of their budget on activities and experiences.
More than 75 % of travellers in Malaysia and India are planning to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the previous year, with Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam joining the Philippines around the 70% mark.
Given the survey results, Ho and Klook have narrowed down three key trends shaping Asia-Pacific travel:
6 in 10 travellers book experiences before flights, and are willing to allocate more than half their budget for experiences
Sociak media is the leading inspiration for travel as 62% of travelers favor non-celebrity creators for travel recommendations
65% of travellers strategize their plans around the climate or season they want to experience
Klook is responding to the trends by revamping Attraction Passes, focusing on Instagram or TikTok Experiences, teaming up with Japan's Shinkansen and exploring further into music events as the agency did for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
Some of the major global events that could influence international travel this year are Entertainment and Music tourism, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the World Expo Osaka.
Beyond hotels and attractions offerings, the agency is also planning an European Union Rail pass and multi-langauge museum and castle tours for the Olympics and Kansai region sightseeing for the World Expo.
Mutya ng Pilipinas finalist to represent USA at Miss Universe 2024
Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com
May 14, 2024 | 10:26am
MANILA, Philippines — Former Mutya ng Pilipinas candidate Savannah Gankiewicz has been crowned the new Miss USA 2023 after Noelia Voigt relinquished her title.
Miss USA organization announced that the Filipino-American beauty queen will be crowned in Hawaii on May 15.
"We are proud to crown Savannah Miss USA 2023. A true representation of vision, intelligence, and compassion," Miss USA Organization Chief Executive Officer and President Laylah Rose said in the statement.
“Her dedication to empowering women through self-love and confidence is inspiring, and we look forward to her impactful reign as Miss USA," she added.
Savannah was the first runner-up to Noelia at the Miss USA pageant held last September.
In her Instagram account, Savannah said that she accepts the crown on the behalf of her supporters, family, friends and the people of Hawaii.
"Please know that my decision to accept the Miss USA crown was not one that was made lightly. I stand with Noelia, it was the honor of a lifetime to share the stage with you during your crowning moment and I wish you all the best in your next chapter,” she said.
Born to a mother from Maui and of Filipino descent, Savannah competed at Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2017, where she ended up as finalist and received the honor Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Filipino Communities as representative of the Filipino-Hawaiian community. After the pageant, she lived in the Philippines for over a year to work as a model.
Noelia resigned from being Miss USA last May 7.
"I strongly value the importance of making a decision that feel best for you and your mental health. As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves,” Noelia wrote on Instagram.
7,749 pass May 2024 nurses licensure exam — PRC
May 14, 2024 08:17 AM
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday, May 14, announced that 7,749 out of 11,116 examinees passed the Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination.
PRC said the top scorer in the said exam is Abigail Escueta Cayanan of St. Jude College-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Inc., garnering a 92.60 percent rating.
Jim Jerico Cedric Garo Uy of Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao followed with an average of 91.80 percent, and Mary Vhinne Anne Verzo Colandog of Southern Luzon State University-Lucban with an average of 91.60.
The examination held on May 6 and 7 was facilitated by the Board of Nursing in testing centers in Metro Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa.
German business sentiment on PH economy improves
May 13, 2024 05:38 PM
Despite key risks, German firms operating in the country are more bullish on their outlook of the local economy in the next 12 months, with both investment and employment figures showing optimism, according the latest survey conducted by the German–Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI – AHK Philippinen).
The Spring 2024 AHK World Business Outlook Survey released Monday, May 13, by the GPCCI also identified key risks that could impact future economic growth, which include economic policy conditions, high energy prices, and challenges related to supply chain disruptions and infrastructure.
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The Spring 2024 survey reports that half (50%) of the German-Philippine businesses are still optimistic in their business situation. The same trend is reported on company expectations, which showed positive results, with a majority (61%) of the responding firms forecasting confidence in business development for the next 12 months. Notably, the local economic projections in the next 12 months significantly increased by 17 points at 55 percent. Investments and employment also followed this trend with increased projections at 44 percent and 61 percent, respectively (from 39% and 54% in Fall 2023).
“It's encouraging to see such confidence from businesses involved in German-Philippine relations, forecasting a bullish local economy. This optimism surely points to a thriving environment in the Philippines for both investment and job creation over the next 12 months," said GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano.
The GPCCI statement attributed the optimism to the series of events in the first quarter of 2024 that have evidently bolstered bilateral relations between the Philippines and Germany. These events include German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit in January, President Marcos' subsequent visit to Germany in early March, and the convening the 2nd Joint Economic Commission in mid-March.
In terms of top risks for German businesses, the survey showed that economic policy conditions topped the list due to complex regulations, frequent policy changes, and extensive bureaucracy creating an unpredictable environment. High energy prices also pose a significant concern, impacting profit margins and operational costs, particularly for energy-intensive sectors like manufacturing.
Additionally, challenges such as supply chain disruptions and infrastructure are tied for third, with both factors contributing to operational inefficiencies.
“To capitalize on the current economic optimism, it's imperative that the Philippine government work closely with businesses to resolve these identified challenges,” said GPCCI Board Director and Policy and Advocacy Chairperson Dr. Marian Norbert Majer.
“Addressing these issues can help create a more predictable and favorable business environment and ensure that this bullish momentum translates into substantial outcomes that will help the Philippines attain its sustained economic growth,” Majer added.
GPCCI also said that survey respondents have taken proactive steps towards enhancing the resilience of their business operations. As part of their diversification strategies, they have reported expanding their supplier networks and exploring new sales markets to mitigate the risks of future disruptions.
Efforts at diversification are likewise facing challenges with increased legal and regulatory issues ranked as their top concern, followed by difficulties in finding suitable suppliers or business partners, and the high costs associated with expanding business operations.
Notably, more than half (55%) of respondents said they are only averagely prepared to handle international crises and geopolitical risks. GPCCI pointed to a moderate level of resilience among the survey respondents with only 34 percent consider their readiness as good. “Our network continuously assesses the resilience of German companies' supply chains at their international locations, aiming to significantly mitigate the risk of future disruptions, such as transport interruptions or the sudden loss of production facilities.” said GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer. “We see that our respondents in the Philippines are actively enhancing the resilience of their operations by expanding supplier networks and venturing into new markets.”
Almost 70 companies related to German-Philippines business relations participated in the spring edition survey coming from the services (59%), trade (14%), and the manufacturing or construction sectors (27%). 58% of the respondents have less than 100 employees, 25% have 100 to 1,000 employees, and 17% have more than 1,000 employees. In terms of company type, 48% of the respondents are local companies without a branch in Germany, 28% are subsidiary/branch/representations of a German company, 9% are international companies without a branch in Germany, 8% are international companies with a branch in Germany, and 6% are local companies with a branch in Germany.
GPCCI / AHK Philippinen belongs to the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) which is represented by 150 offices in 93 countries.
Creamline cherishes toughest journey to eighth PVL title
AT A GLANCE
But hoisting the Premier Volleyball League trophy for the eighth time before a jubilant crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a late Sunday night hit differently as far as skipper Alyssa Valdez was concerned.
The scene was all too familiar for the Creamline Cool Smashers: shrieks and cheers erupt as they nailed that winning point, followed by a shower of confetti raining down on them to celebrate their latest conquest.
But hoisting the Premier Volleyball League trophy for the eighth time before a jubilant crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a late Sunday night hit differently for skipper Alyssa Valdez.
“This was probably the most difficult and challenging conference for all of us, probably because we were really trying to figure out kung nasaan na kami at this point in our lives and our career, and kung ano pa yung kaya pa naming i-improve as a team,” said Valdez moments after they captured this year’s All-Filipino Conference crown at the expense of sister team Choco Mucho through a sweep of their best-of-three finals series.
Statistically, it was true. Unlike in the previous conference where they cruised to a 15-0 sweep of the title, Creamline had to thread through the eye of the needle this time to get to where they are now.
They were actually on the brink of elimination before scoring important wins to clinch the fourth seeding in the semifinals. They lost to Choco Mucho in five sets at the start of the round-robin semis before crawling their way up with victories over Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz to book a finals berth.
Then came the championship.
Faced against the very same rival they beat last conference, the Cool Smashers had to muster all their might to retain their crown -- first, with a tough 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 victory in Game 1 before following it up with a pulsating 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11 Game 2 triumph.
Valdez said they’d take any kind of victory, stressing that the lessons they learned on their journey were more important.
“This win, this conference, just proved that we stick and stay together despite everything,” she said. “It showed our faith and hope, na kakapit kami hanggang dulo.”
“One thing na na-prove ng challenges namin this conference is yung pagtutulungan namin hanggang dulo. Everyone helped. Lahat hindi bumitaw,” she added.
Their teamwork and cohesion were evident in the finals, particularly in Game 2 of their series. Faced with Choco Mucho’s formidable frontline in Sisi Rondina, Maddie Madayag, Deanna Wong, Isa Molde and Royse Tubino, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses sought reinforcements from their deep bench anchored on Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao and Bea De Leon to douse the fire of their opponents.
“Ako naman ready ako anytime na gamitin ako ni coach,” said Pons, who delivered in crucial moments and went on to finish with 17 points.
“Samin kasi kapag may nawawala, may mag-ii-step-up. Yun yung sobrang ganda sa team namin. Lahat nagko-contribute, kaya nakuha namin tong panalo na to,” she added.
Adding another trophy to their growing collection just solidified Creamline’s reign in the league, but don’t expect them to slow down.
“Dadagdagan pa namin ng nine, ten, eleven (titles), forever and ever!” Finals MVP Jema Galanza quipped.
“Pero seryoso, lahat naman kami may pinaghuhugutan sa panalong to, pero magpu-push pa kami lalo kasi ganito namin kamahal yung volleyball,” she added.
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