Philippines vs the rest of Asia

[craftbeerlover]

Laying here sipping my St Bernardus, I started doing some research on tourism - Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam etc...

Came across this thread and cant tell you how many different 'opinions' I read that prompted a BINGO in my cranium....   Sad really

 

 

 

[Joey G]

I think some people just don't know how to travel.  For one... there is no way the Philippines is the same price or more expensive than Canada.  A hotel in every other country in SW Asia is more expensive than the Philippines all things considered.  Food is definitely NOT expensive compared to all these countries.  

I'll be the first admit that tourism isn't where it could be overall. Yes, overall the reputation regarding service, safety, travel options, isn't the best, deservedly so. But from my read... the vast majority of the Filipino's don't really care about tourism. They are more concerned about becoming an OFW, or having one in the family.  I get it... why should they be worried about some foreigners visiting when for better or worse the country makes it's money on exporting human capital. 

Funny thing is, the tourist areas in many western countries (and SE Asia) have become friction points with the population... a minority make money off tourism while the majority of the people living there have to deal with crowds and rude visitors (it only takes a few to make things miserable).  

Is there a "crisis"???  IDK... can you really have a crisis over something you never had.  For us the "crisis" was how quickly the Philippines lost its charm pre-dating 1980'ish.  Even that "crisis" is over now... like they say... "you can't go back in time".

 

[Guy F.]

I'd be fine with a decrease in tourism. A few years ago the Philippines government's head of tourism said that Panglao (Bohol) would be the next Boracay. It certainly has been going that way for several years, due largely to the new international airport. I've been amazed at the number of huge new resorts going up. It has a downside for expats. Higher prices are just the start. I read a month ago that arrivals from Korea are down 30% over last year, so there's hope that the situation won't become too uncomfortable.

[graham59]

The place is giant landfill site from end to end, with 'dangers' lurking around every corner.

Hope that's not putting too negative a view on it. 

[JJReyes]

The in-flow of money from package tourism is very small.  A group from China, Korea or Japan arrives using the flag carrier of their country.  The buses for transport are owned by their countrymen and it's the same for the hotels.  Only benefit is the few trinkets purchased if they venture outside.  Unlikely because they don't speak the local language.   But even shopping is controlled and they are taken by bus to isolated stores to purchase merchandise at highly inflated prices.  Their home country tour operator receives a 40% commission.  

The F.I.T. (fully independent traveler) is a better revenue source.  Unfortunately, it's tight budget backpackers that are attracted to the Philippines because of low prices.  We are not getting high income professional families who holiday with children.

Edited Saturday at 07:31 PM by JJReyes

[scott h]

8 hours ago, Joey G said:

I think some people just don't know how to travel.  For one... there is no way the Philippines is the same price or more expensive than Canada.  A hotel in every other country in SW Asia is more expensive than the Philippines all things considered.  Food is definitely NOT expensive compared to all these countries.

Perception is Reality. Most of those who visit me, as soon as we leave the airport say, "This is just like Mexico!" and they expect Mexican prices. As for the food, you are right of course, if a person wants to eat from a pushcart or a ramshackle canteen whose sanitary practices are in question. Prices at resorts or top line restaurants are close to western prices.

8 hours ago, Joey G said:

Is there a "crisis"???

It is when your government economic policy stand on three legs, OFW's, BPO's and Tourism.

4 hours ago, JJReyes said:

We are not getting high income professional families who holiday with children.

That is because there is very little in the Philippines to draw them. As the article says, "you can only spend so much time at the beach". 

Where is the Ankor Wat, the Louve, the Tower of London, the Samuri castles, the Smithsonian, the Disneyworld, the Legoland, the Universal Studios. Unless you are a religious tourist, you can only see so many Spanish cathedrals. Let's face it the Philippines really has no historical or cultural monuments as a major tourist draw. Oh, there are a few, but very inconvenient to get to. 

7 hours ago, graham59 said:

Hope that's not putting too negative a view on it

Nope, as the saying goes, "Truth hurts, don't it"

[Possum]

1 hour ago, scott h said:

Let's face it the Philippines really has no historical or cultural monuments as a major tourist draw. Oh, there are a few, but very inconvenient to get to. 

That is one of the main problems. In most other countries developed after 1945 there are decent public transportation services available. We are in Taiwan now. There are scheduled air conditioned buses, regular trains and express trains that run on time. In the Philippines there are no trains outside the NCR and even those are not 'efficient'. If a tourist wants to visit a place of interest outside the capitol they must endure a 4 plus hour bus trip over bad roads with no rest stops in order to go just 100km. In cities instead of buses one has open air jeepneys with no schedule or destination easily discernible. This is discouraging for most tourist no matter how friendly or occasionally English speaking the Filipinos are. Sometimes when I am discouraged while traveling in the Philippines I remind myself it's better than Haiti or Angola in order to cheer myself up.

[hk blues]

8 hours ago, JJReyes said:

 We are not getting high income professional families who holiday with children.

Prior to meeting my wife, I had visited pretty much all SE Asian tourist spots except Philippines and Cambodia - Cambodia was on the to-do list. Never entered my head to visit the Philippines and I suspect most Brits were like me. Didn't market itself well, no great stories from.those who had visited etc. Came here for a trip from Hong Kong after meeting my wife (Cebu) and it was OK but no more than.that. Subsequently been to Boracay a few times (it's close to us) and certainly better than Cebu IMO but doesn't compare with my preferred places such as Thailand and Malaysia. 

Just not a destination choice for families with cash to spend.

[craftbeerlover]

13 hours ago, Joey G said:

A hotel in every other country in SW Asia is more expensive than the Philippines all things considered.  Food is definitely NOT expensive compared to all these countries.

I really disagree with regards to hotels.   Hotels are more expensive in the Philippines and if you factor in value for your money, the gap grows considerably.

Same with food, I do think the Philippines is more expensive, and once again add value for your money

[hk blues]

1 minute ago, craftbeerlover said:

I really disagree with regards to hotels.   Hotels are more expensive in the Philippines and if you factor in value for your money, the gap grows considerably.

Same with food, I do think the Philippines is more expensive, and once again add value for your money

I guess the "all things considered " is the debating point.  I'd say the cost of many hotels are similar but when you throw in VFM, service standard, amenities etc the Philippines quickly lags behind.

As with everything here, those who could actually do something to improve the tourism offering have no motivation to do so - they are making more money than they can spend in.other ways that don't involve much effort.