Seven sights for sore eyesText and photos by Roel Hoang Manipon, Staff Writer
01/12/2008
Philippine tourism was good last year. In recent years, tourism has been gradually improving despite news of kidnappings and bombings. The Department of Tourism aimed for one million tourist arrivals for 2007, and it certainly achieved that target. Over 1.5 million visitors went to the Philippines for the first half of 2007. The country has a host of places to offer, some well-developed and some rough, but all unique. Here are seven that made the news and made a buzz.
Boracay. This small island off the town of Malay in Aklan is still the country’s premiere tourist destination. For a short time, Boracay emerged from obscurity and fast achieved stellar status, becoming the icon of tourist destinations in the country. Rows of resorts and hotels have mushroomed along the famous White Beach and in other parts of the island, and every year there is always some exciting development going on. Despite environmental issues and talk of overcrowded-ness, Boracay manages to charm and still retains its own blend of beauty, heightened by a cosmopolitan feel. Boracay is still the best beach in the country, crowded or not. The fineness of the sand is amazing, the formation of the shore friendly. It manages to be listed among the 10 best in the world.
Camarines Sur. The province in the Bicol Region is a tourism success story. Camarines Sur has Naga as its prime commercial hub, but of recent, Pili, the provincial capital, has generated a buzz because of the opening of the Camsur Watersports Complex. Because of this, “we’re the number one tourist destination in the region. According to Department of Tourism, we’re second to Boracay in terms of growth for tourism. That’s pretty good,†said Camarines Sur’s governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., who built the complex in the capitol grounds. The CWC is said to be one of the best in world in terms of wakeboarding facilities. With marketing blitz, the world’s wakeboarding aficionados took notice. For two years, CWC has invited world wakeboarding champs and lured both foreign and domestic tourists wanting to try out the nascent sport. Also in the province and with enduring attraction, the Caramoan Peninsula with its beaches and islands is touted to be the next major destination.
Palawan. This large province between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea has been said to be the country’s last frontier. Indeed, it has a wealth of natural wonders including an amazing topography and unique flora and fauna. As development rises and people trickle in, environmental issues and non-governmental agencies also go in to keep the goings-on in check. Thus, Palawan may be the mother of eco-tourism destinations in the country, with its strong environmental consciousness and a board concerned about sustainable development. At the same time, Palawan invites tourists with its natural attractions and resorts. In the capital Puerto Princesa, there is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Off the coast and into Sulu Sea is another World Heritage site, the Tubbataha Reef. In northern Palawan, the Calamianes group of islands offer beaches, coves and resorts. The province is now on the list of the offerings of Mountain Travel Sobek and Wilderness Travel, pioneers in offering adventure travel packages anywhere around the world and leading international tour operators that cater to discriminating, high-end adventure seekers. Additionally, Palawan was the setting for the seventh installment of the French version of Survivor called Les Aventuriers. Ten episodes were shot entirely in El Nido and aired in September 2007. And in October 2007, Conde Nast Traveler released its issue with the main feature “The Great Asian Beach Finder.†The travel magazine voted Palawan as the Best Beach Overall, citing attractions like Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and noting beaches and resorts like El Nido Miniloc Island Resort, El Nido Lagen Island Resort and Amanpulo.
Baguio. This chartered city in Benguet in the south of the Cordillera region of northern Luzon has been called the Summer Capital of the country and remains to be the country’s premiere mountain resort city. It is also the commercial and educational hub of the north. Its pleasant cool climate also nurtures a large artist community. Now nearing its centennial, the city is priming itself up. The yearly Panagbenga Flower Festival unfailingly draws tourist with its spectacle. On the quieter side, Baguio allures with mist in the morning and pine trees on the mountains, but with a cosmopolitan feel and convenience.
Bohol. This island-province in central Visayas has been a much touted destination in the wake of the eco-tourism trend. Bohol has long been mentioned in tourism literature because of its Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, but it is of recent that people began discovering the province as a whole and trumpeting its beauty. Aside the famed hills and the famed primate, Bohol has the very clean Loboc River, great for cruises. There are the dive spots off Balicasag, said to be one of the best in the country. In Panglao, the white-sand beaches beckon. If history and culture you want, the province has a number of old colonial churches that retain much of its original make, a very fascinating attraction. Last year, Bohol was cited by a leading travel Web site as one of 10 “best spots you’ve never heard of†in a users’ poll. The story was taken up by news agency Reuters. The members of IgoUgo (
www.igougo.com), which touts itself as “the world’s leading online travel community†with 350,000 members who share opinions and experiences on destinations around the globe, voted Bohol as one of 10 previously-unknown tourist spots that are ideal vacation places and it was ranked eight. The list also included Amarante, Portugal; Sigulda, Latvia; Avebury, England; and Sorata, Bolivia. The site commented: “Bohol has numerous natural treasures that lure visitors to its shores. Although people usually go to its highly urbanized neighboring island Cebu, Bohol holds a charm of its own makes it distinct from other Visayan islands.â€
Cebu. Next to the national capital Manila, Metro Cebu in the Visayas is great urban hub in the south with a vibrant scene. Every year, this is heightened with the Sinulog, one of the country’s biggest festivals. On Mactan Island, there is a cluster of hotels and resorts that lure tourists and vacationers. Cebu City is also the leading venue for conventions and seminars in the south because of its excellent facilities. For the adventurous, the province offers exciting places outside the city. The towns have old churches to marvel at. In Moalboal, there are excellent diving sites. Bantayan Island offers white-sand beaches, as does Malapascua but pristine and uncluttered.
Davao. This second largest city in the country is perhaps the premiere commercial hub in Mindanao. Although relatively young compared to Cebu and Manila, Davao has ample venues for conventions and is poised to improve. The city boasts of modern amenities like good hotels, shops and transportation. Aside from facilities, the city has a lot to offer. The country’s highest peak, Mount Apo, is within the area. A Philippine eagle sanctuary and a number of gardens and parks can entice those inclined to nature. Off the coast is Samal Island where Pearl Farm is located. Annually, the colorful Kadayawan Festival lures tourists. Also, Davao is the take-off point to see the riches of southern Mindanao.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20080112lif1.htmlLinkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=9021.0
