By Margaux Ortiz
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–More foreign tourists are opting to stay longer in the country, making the Philippines “one of the most favored tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific.”

Bureau of Immigration chief Marcelino Libanan made this observation Friday, saying that foreign visitors have paid more than P370 million to the government just to extend their stay in the country.

Libanan said that BI’s collections from visa extension fees from January to August 2007 amounted to P370.17 million, up by P57.9 million or 18 percent from the P312.2 million generated during the same period last year.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

IT’S Cebu Business Month, and the Queen City of the South aims to strengthen the country’s tourism industry as it plays host to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Tourism Congress from June 14 to 15 at the Cebu International Convention Center. The event is being organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Here’s an excerpt from Irene Sino Cruz’s story for the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

Mila Espina, chairperson of the tourism congress committee, said Cebu was prepared to promote tourism further as it has laid the groundwork for links in the Asian region.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

By Leila Salaverria
Inquirer

TOURISTS from South Korea can fly directly to Kalibo, Aklan, and need not make a stopover in Manila if they would like to go to Boracay Island, the Bureau of Immigration announced last week.

Kalibo town is now a limited port of entry for foreigners after the BI opened its office there to service international flights, according to Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

Libanan said in a statement that the bureau started its Kalibo operations on May 11, processing the documents of the 65 passengers of the maiden flight of an Asian Spirit jetliner that brought tourists from Incheon, South Korea.

[Read the rest of this entry »]