‘PHL is More Than Just Sun-and-Beach Tourism’

A tourism expert said that although sun-and-beach activities have been proven to be a success in a tropical country like the Philippines, various products are slowly being introduced that cater to different niche-markets.

“Foreign buyers are discovering more of the Philippines,” John Paul Cabalza, director of travel group S8 Exhibition Inc. said in an interview during the sidelines of the Asia Premium Travel Mart (APTM).

The APTM is an exhibit of luxury travel suppliers which offer big discounts on airline tickets, hotels and resort accommodations, and tour packages on June 21 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Cabalza said that medical tourism was a viable luxury tourism product in the Philippines considering the availability of spa and wellness activities as well as cheaper medical procedures.

Agri-farm tourism, he said, was another product which could fall under the community-based tourism category since allows tourists to experience customs, food, lifestyle of Filipinos.

He said that agri-farm tourism was currently being highlighted in Region IV-A (Calabarzon).

“It can come in a package. Tourists can visit a beach in Batangas and the next day go for a farm visit and do seed-planting or even harvesting,” Cabalza said.

The S8 director noted that events such as the APTM were significant in introducing these new product lines which attract an increased number of buyers.

“I think with this trade fare we were able to orient these buyers that they could really enjoy a lot of different stuff. It’s a merger a lot of things,” he added. (PNA) RMA/ANP