Tourists Urged to Holiday in the Philippines after the Typhoon,,,

Tourists are urged to holiday in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.

As the aid effort in the Philippines continues, the tourism industry is urging people to visit the country as a way of helping the recovery effort.

The Philippines tourism board is urging people to visit the country, stressing that their visits will have a direct effect on helping to rebuild lives and keep locals in jobs in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

Isabel Choat, writing in the Guardian newspaper, gives us the full picture.

Read her article HERE...

Update from Amanpulo's Pamalican Island...

Amanpulo’s Pamalican Island was in the direct path of Typhoon Haiyan, but they are thankful to report that the resort team is safe, as are all the islanders on nearby Manamoc. The resort sustained limited damage and will reopen on 15 December 2013. While repairs (including telecommunications) are being made, the resort continues to assist the Andres Soriano Foundation which is providing medical aid and supplies to those in need throughout the Quiniluban Group of islands, in particular Concepcion and Algeciras.

Philippines Department of Tourism Statement...

For those who may be concerned, here is an extract from a recent statement issued by the Department of Tourism, in the Philippines, following the recent super-typhoon...

"The Philippines remains a safe and fun destination for all tourists, notwithstanding this unfortunate incident. The DOT assures the travelling public that tourism establishments and tourism activities continue and remain in operation in the other parts of the Philippines, which play host to some of the country’s key tourist destinations.

The great majority of touristic products are available, whether one is looking for a beach vacation, historical trip, gastronomic tour, or one of the many other possible travel opportunities. The country is home to some of the world’s great tourist sites and adventures with its unparalleled natural wonders, spectacular beaches, world-renowned heritage sites, modern shopping complexes, rich biodiversity, culture, and history"

The full statement can be viewed HERE...

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Five Reasons Why People Should Continue to Enjoy Holidays in the Philippines...

No one can fail to have been moved by images from the recent natural disasters that have affected the Philippines. However, it is fortunate that these events have been mainly limited to specific regions of the country, and for much of the Philippines, it's "business as usual". 

Here are FIVE reasons why people should continue to enjoy holidays in the Philippines...

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1) The recent awful "super-typhoon" has shown television viewers around the globe scenes of total devastation, and few will fail to have been moved by such images. 

However, most of the country, especially the main tourist areas, have not been affected so dramatically, as the typhoon cut a narrow path as it traversed the country.

Initially there was a problem in which many flights and ferries were delayed or cancelled. These services have quickly resumed, and popular tourist destinations such as Boracay, Puerto Galera, Palawan, Banaue, Vigan, Bohol, Samal Island etc., continue to operate normally.

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2) Philippines Hotels and resorts are largely sturdy buildings made from modern materials, and which are architecturally sound. 

Structures damaged by typhoons and strong winds have generally been less sturdily built dwellings of which many villages comprise. In fact it is the flimsy construction of such buildings that has played a major part in the subsequent high typhoon toll.

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3) Tourism is a hugely important industry for many Philippines communities.

The popular areas that have invested in tourism, and which are developing to attract and accommodate visitors, rely on tourism to bring employment to local people, whether it's direct employment by the hotels and resorts, or service industries supplying fresh food and produce, or operating local tours, excursions, sailing expeditions, etc.

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4) The earthquake that affected Bohol in October was over almost as quickly as it had begun, other than natural aftershocks. It's a fact of life that earthquakes happen in the Philippines, as it stands on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", but thankfully these are rare events.

Bohol is an island that largely depends on tourism, and although many historic structures were badly damaged, the airport was quickly reopened, island tours were resumed, and beach resorts got back to doing what they do best - giving its visitors fantastic holidays.

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5) The warmth, friendliness and hospitality of Filipinos is world-renowned.

In fact it is my view that everyone should visit the Philippinnes to experience this hospitality first-hand!

Nigel Sutherland
Managing Director
www.PhilippineTrails.com

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Please Share Urgently - Following the Devastating Typhoon, Here Are Ways You Can Help the Philippines...

Photo taken from the BBC website

Following the devastating typhoon that struck the Philippines on Friday, affected areas are ungently in need of help.

Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in the Philippines are now homeless and without clean water or food in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Their situation is desperate.

With winds of 195mph, the typhoon was the largest storm ever recorded to make landfall and current reports indicate that upwards of 10,000 people may have lost their lives.

HERE ARE REPORTS & LINKS FOR MAJOR AID AGENCIES. PLEASE HELP. MANY THOUSANDS ARE DESPERATE. (Click on the name of each agency to go to their donations page.)

DEC Disasters Emergency Committee

"The DEC brings 14 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: Action Aid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly."

AmeriCares

"As hundreds of thousands in the Philippines suffer amid stunning devastation, we are working nonstop to help survivors of super Typhoon Haiyan – possibly the worst storm ever recorded.  A relief team is on the ground, and aid shipments are underway along with funding for urgent needs."

OXFAM

"Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, has struck the Philippines. Oxfam is ready to deploy water and sanitation materials to those affected."

Christian Aid

"More than 10,000 people are feared dead and hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes after Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, ripped through the Philippines."

Red Cross

"Red Cross teams are already in the city of Tacloban in Leyte, which bore the brunt of the storm when it made landfall on Friday. But their efforts have been hampered by the destruction of communication and transport links, with many roads into the affected areas completely blocked."

Nichola Jones, British Red Cross delegate in Cebu said: "The typhoon has left total devastation in its wake - houses have been wiped out and entire towns affected. Trees are uprooted, power lines are down and there is severe flooding. We now fear that thousands of people may have lost their lives.”

ShelterBox

"ShelterBox has teams in the Philippines responding to the disaster and we are moving emergency shelter and other vital aid already located in the Philippines and neighbouring countries to the worst affected areas."

Action Against Hunger

"Our teams are already in the Philippines, distributing sanitation equipment and establishing access to temporary sources of clean water but time is critical - please give generously."

Global Giving

"Super Typhoon Haiyan has caused significant damage in the Philippines. Death tolls are estimated to exceed 10,000. According to officials, the storm caused heavy damage to about 90% of the infrastructure and establishments in the areas it passed through. Donations to this fund will support relief and recovery efforts in the affected areas."

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Satellite Image of Typhoon Haiyan...

The amazing charity, ShelterBox has posted an image of the Super-Typhoon that has devastated communities in the Philippines.

We are sharing this image to show our support for the wonderful work that they do, not just in the Philippines, but around the world.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this storm.

Philippine Trails has guests who are affected by subsequent flight delays, and are making alternative arrangements for them until they can resume their Philippines tour arrangements.

Another Successful World Travel Market for the Philippines...

We've been attending the World Travel Market at Excel in London once again.

Monday was by invitation only, and we met up with old friends, plus a host of new faces and Philippines tourism representatives.

Yesterday, (Tuesday), was open to all in the travel trade, and Excel was buzzing with activity. 

It was interesting to learn that the Philippines is the only country to have increased its exhibit space by 100%, from 150 square meters in 2012 to 300 square meters this year, with a look and feel that captures the essence of fun in traveling to the country.

The exhibition continues today and tommorow (Thursday).

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