Frolic in the Philippines

Passing By

Ramon R Jiminez Jr, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Philippines was in the city to launch his country’s new campaign ‘It’s More Fun In The Philippines’ and promote tourism to the island-cluster nation in 2015.

Metrolife managed to keep pace with him as he went about his busy schedule which involved the launching of a fleet of taxis with the branding of the revamped tourism program.

“Having been ravaged by tropical storms in the recent past, people of the world have developed a taboo image of the Philippines that we want them to look beyond” Jiminez told Metrolife.

“What most people fail to realise is that over 98 per cent of the arrivals into our country is by air. No one arrives by bus or train or even by freighter these days. Because our own population is just shy of five million, we are one of the most accommodating nations for tourists in South East Asia” he went on to add.

“With an approximate of islands in excess of 7,000 making up the country, one can find oneself within 30 kilometres of a beach wherever they go in the Philippines, and this comes as music to the ears of all sun and sand loving people,” says Jiminez.

With destinations like Manila, Buracay, Cebu and Bohol all open to tourists; Jiminez sees a rosy outcome in the distant horizon.

“Even after the storms last year, we still managed to record an increase of tourist footfall by 15 per cent. This year we expect that number to go even higher. I have spoken to the cabinet and proposed a plan that will allow Visa-free entry for Indian travellers having valid and current visa of US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen areas of Europe, Singapore and UK, along with Visa-free entry into Philippines for 14 days through Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Clark International Airport” he went on to emphasise.

“This will go a long way in eradicating any red tape that may prove to be a hindrance for international tourists” Jiminez said.

India comes in at a commendable second in regard to tourists visiting the Philippines with over two lakh people making their way across the Indian Ocean after China, who have a number almost double of that. Jiminez says “China and India are our biggest benefactors when it comes to tourism and we want to take it to an even higher level.”

With the new visa rules being formulated in the Philippines, it might not be far-fetched to say that Philippines just might become the next Thailand or Singapore for Indian tourists.