Tag: holiday

SBMA And Leechiu Property Consultants To Advance Freeport Investments And Tourism

SBMA And Leechiu Property Consultants To Advance Freeport Investments And Tourism

carlocarrasco

Having been to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone many times already, the former US Naval base has been a strong engine for tourism, commerce and investments for the Philippines over the decades. Each time I visited, there was also something new to discover and the economic modernization happened gradually.

In a serious bid to enhance investments and accelerate the growth of tourism, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that it has teamed up with the Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) and their officials had important talks recently.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement of the SBMA. Some parts in boldface…

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials met with executives of Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) to explore collaborative initiatives to accelerate tourism growth and investment promotion here.

Led by SBMA Business and Investment Group’s Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) Renato Lee III, discussions focused on expanding high-impact tourism segments including cruise ship tourism, wreck diving, forest trails, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) activities.

David Lee-Chiu, CEO of Leechiu Property Consultants highlighted Subic Bay’s deep-water port and strategic location as key advantages in positioning the Freeport as a competitive cruise ship destination in Luzon.

Lee-Chiu also noted that increased cruise calls would drive growth across hospitality, retail, transport, and local enterprises.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Alino also mentioned “wreck diving” as a strong niche market, with Subic Bay’s historic shipwrecks that continue to attract both domestic and international divers.

Also discussed was the development and promotion of forest trails and eco-tourism experiences, recognizing Subic Bay Freeport’s protected forest areas as prime assets for sustainable tourism, nature-based recreation, and eco-adventure activities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you have visited the Subic Bay Freeport Zone over the past three months, how was your stay and did you find the place worth revisiting? Do you think the SBMA can still achieve so much more in terms of tourism growth and business?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Southie Fest Ongoing At Festival Mall

Southie Fest Ongoing At Festival Mall

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Southie Fest, a special event organized by South Snippets and its strategic partners, formally opened yesterday at the Carousel area of Festival Mall in Filinvest City, Alabang. A showcase of varied products and services offered by mostly business joints of the south, Southie Fest will last until Sunday (March 15).

I personally witnessed the opening of Southie Fest. There was a panel discussion wherein three local entrepreneurs shared insight about their respective businesses, how they managed their enterprise through the years, and what they learned from the many local communities of the south. South Snippets co-founder Donna Santiago was with them and she also shared insight about the organization’s drive of promoting businesses and connecting them with people of the South. Santiago confirmed that she is organizing South Snippets full-time.

The panel discussion held on the first day of Southie Fest inside Festival Mall. From left to right are the host, the three local entrepreneurs and South Snippets co-founder Donna Santiago.
Southie Fest is at the 2nd floor of Festival Mall in front of the old Carousel.
A few of the many booths/stalls that you can visit to see what they are offering. If you make it there, go around to explore.
I had a very tasty avocado shake there at Southie Fest. This one costs P120 and it is of very good quality.

Within the Carousel area – 2nd floor specifically – are lots of booths/stalls of varied local businesses offering customers a wide range of selections of food, beverages, accessories, collectibles, clothing, gift items, handcrafted items, services and a lot more. You really have to be there to truly discover them.

Remaining schedule of activities for March 14 and 15, 2026

Today, a “Southie Community Day” session will take place which will emphasize he community members and local digital trendsetters. It will help people understand who the Southie influencers and content creators are and what they do to inspire the community as they promote their respective platforms. There will be Q&A interviews, interactive games, and meet-and-greet opportunities.

On Sunday, the “Southie Family Day” will wrap up the event. Participants can dive into a variety of interactive workshops, creative classes, and community workout sessions. There will lots of things or experiences that participants can discover, and even learn from.

Southie Fest is a special showcase by South Snippets®, with support from JNE Branding Consultancy, Festival Mall, Aly Olaez, Neil de Belen Studios, Nextgen Events Management, Design Specs Printing Services, Carlo Suzara: Host & Content Creator, Terraland Pines, Kato Fertility Center, and the City Government of Muntinlupa.

It is also supported by Mama Lou’s Group and Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, Schola de Vita, MEgorgeous, Let’s Glow Aesthetics, Lando’s Bar Las Piñas, Manna & Muse, BetterLife Yoga Studio, Lindy Hop Philippines, Invitations by Ten Arts & Gift Store, BloomsBrewsMNL, Be Club Lifestyle Hub, SOS Children’s Villages Pilipinas, Kalye Negosyo, and Southies Strays.

Southie Fest media partners are labang Bulletin, TigaSouthKaba, WhenInManila.com, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Life In Tagaytay, Life In Alfonso, Chef Beng, Lowkey Lakwatsera, The Quiet Diner, Southieto, Tara Tagaytay, Wild and Sassy Blog, Dyan sa South, Chizbun Eats, The Reel B, Mauriz Coronel, and Mini Shoots.

The event organizer booth and more nearby.

For those of you reading this, I encourage you to visit Festival Mall to attend Southie Fest while it is still going on.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

2025 Subic Bay Freeport Zone Workforce Surpasses 170,000

2025 Subic Bay Freeport Zone Workforce Surpasses 170,000

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For decades, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone has been a hot spot of commerce, tourism and varied types of businesses which resulted in the creation of new jobs. Recently, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officially confirmed that the Freeport workforce exceeded 170,000 in 2025 which is an improvement of over 4% compared with 2024.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement of the SBMA. Some parts in boldface…

The workforce in the country’s premier Freeport totaled 171,653 in 2025, according to the annual report by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

According to a report from the SBMA Labor Department, this figure reflects a 4.4 percent increase from last year’s 164,400 recorded in 2024.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the increase in the number of workers here results from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to provide more employment opportunities for Filipinos.

He said that Olongapo City remains the biggest source of manpower, with 70,769 residents working here. He added that this was followed by Zambales with 31,621; Bataan with 22,897; National Capital Region with 7,077; Pampanga with 5,492; Tarlac with 2,199; and the remaining 31,598 from other parts of the country, including foreign workers.

Around 70.60 percent of workers, or 121,187, are male, while the remaining 29.40 percent, or 50,466 workers, are female, and employed by 4,744 Subic companies. Despite the disparity, female workers outnumbered male workers in the manufacturing sector, with 18,951 females and 18,242 males employed across 111 manufacturing companies in Subic.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Freeport’s services sector remains the biggest employer, which clocked at 67.32 percent of the workforce, with the manufacturing sector making up 21.67 percent. These are followed by the construction sector with 7.36 percent, and shipbuilding/marine-related services with 3.64 percent.

Aliño added that the services sector also has the biggest number of companies, with 4,129, followed by the construction sector with 356 companies, then shipbuilding/ marine-related services with 148 companies, and lastly the manufacturing sector with 111 companies.

He further said that more companies are still looking for employees, thru the SBMA Labor Department’s regular conduct of job fairs and posting job openings via online portals and bulletin boards at their offices near the Subic Bay Gym.

“Jobseekers can click on the SBMA Career Portal, where we provide an official list of vacancies from various Freeport locators. We encourage applicants to check the Subic Gym bulletin board for scheduled examinations and interviews,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are managing a business, have you thought about expanding and setting up a place inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone? What is your current impression about the business and work environment inside Subic Bay right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Cases Of Foreign Tourists Getting Overcharged In Vietnam Increase

Cases Of Foreign Tourists Getting Overcharged In Vietnam Increase

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Having traveled to many destinations around the world, I am always mindful about how much money I carry, how much do products and services cost, and what exactly should I pay for. Vietnam, which attracted a record 21.2 million foreign tourists last year, has a disturbing trend of foreign tourists getting overcharged for services and products, according to a VnExpress news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Gouging tourists is giving Vietnam a bad name despite its sustained promotional efforts, insiders warn.

They want the authorities to hike fines manifold and deploy technology-based monitoring systems to prevent the insidious practice.

Chi Mai, 35, a Hanoi-based tour guide whose family has lived in the capital for three generations, says incidents of overcharging have become so common that they no longer surprise locals.

“Even residents buying 200 grams of pickled fruit in the Old Quarter without first checking the price can be charged double. It’s not surprising that foreign tourists are asked to pay four or five times.”

The repeated reports of such instances leave her disheartened, she says.

“If authorities fail to tackle this issue in a decisive manner, Vietnam’s international tourism promotion efforts will prove ineffective.”

On Feb. 24 an American tourist was charged VND1 million (US$38) for a seven-kilometer trip, 14 times the usual fare, by a motorbike-taxi driver in Hanoi. The driver admitted to the violation, apologized to the tourist and promised not to repeat the act.

Earlier cases also drew attention. In January Hanoi authorities fined a street vendor for charging two foreign tourists nearly four times the normal price of a conical hat.

In July 2025 a group of Filipino tourists were charged VND1.4 million ($53) for a taxi ride of less than 1 km, 50 times the normal fare.

Two months later an Australian family reportedly paid VND1.2 million for a cyclo trip, three times the regulated rate.

Overcharging and aggressive solicitation are not confined to Hanoi and have been reported across other tourist hubs such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of Hanoi-based tour operator AZA Travel, says overcharging tends to occur more frequently in destinations with large numbers of international visitors.

He recounts a personal experience in Da Nang where a taxi driver took a longer route from the airport while Dat was on a phone call. Only after he protested strongly did the driver adjust the fare.

“Even veteran tourism professionals such as tour guides and travel agency executives can fall victim to such practices, and international visitors are even more exposed,” Mai says, adding she has frequently intervened to help tourists resolve pricing disputes.

Tran Trung Hieu, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, acknowledges that gouging remains an issue, particularly in areas such as the Old Quarter and during major festivals.

Failure to publicly display prices and forcing customers to make purchases are fraudulent practices, he says.

The department has established a tourist hotline and increased security presence on pedestrian streets during weekends, he says.

“Price gouging, at worst, discourages visitors from returning.“

In Da Nang, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has formed a rapid response team to address complaints and conducts regular inspections of tourism service providers.

There are task forces to monitor commercial fraud, counterfeit goods and non-compliance with pricing regulations.

Authorities on Phu Quoc Island recently established a tourism rapid response team to protect visitors and address service-related concerns amid a tourism boom.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you were able to travel overseas over the past twelve months, were you excessively charged for a service or for a product you purchased? Does the trend of overcharging tourists in Vietnam discourage you from visiting the country? Do you think the authorities in Vietnam will be able to solve the problems?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

I Love Israel: Direct Flights Between Israel And Vietnam To Launch This Year

I Love Israel: Direct Flights Between Israel And Vietnam To Launch This Year

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In connection with the expansion plans of Israel’s EL AL Airlines, direct flights between the Jewish state and Vietnam will commence this year, according to a news report by VnExpress. Already the national carrier of Israel confirmed it will launch direct flights with the Philippines in the near future.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface.

Israel’s national carrier El Al Israel Airlines has announced plans to launch a direct route to Hanoi capital of Vietnam as part of a broader expansion of its global network.

The airline said it is entering a new growth phase after nearly three years of focusing on key destinations in Europe, North America and Asia following the outbreak of conflict in October 2023.

Under its upcoming development strategy, El Al plans to introduce nine new routes.

From October 2026, the carrier will operate a long-haul direct service linking Tel Aviv and Hanoi. The route is expected to run three round-trip flights per week.

It should be recalled that the ties between Israel and Vietnam are indeed strong and really cooperative. That said, it makes perfect sense for the two nations to have direct flights with each other. Israelis looking for new destinations for holiday or business can visit Vietnam which is now a major tourist destination of Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese, meanwhile, can discover the Holy Land in Israel and possibly engage in business with the booming Israeli tech sector. There is a lot that Israel and Vietnam can achieve together.

To those in Vietnam reading this, I encourage you all to read my feature articles about the Pool of Siloam, the Southern Steps in Jerusalem, Nazareth Village, the grave of Oskar Schindler, the Dead Sea Beach, and some nice commercial joints (click here, here, here and here).

To all my readers, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Indonesia Attracts 15.39 Million Foreign Visitors In 2025

Indonesia Attracts 15.39 Million Foreign Visitors In 2025

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Indonesia, the 2nd largest economy of Southeast Asia, successfully attracted 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025 and it is already looking forward to attracting even more this year, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, welcomed 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding its target of 14-15 million arrivals.

“We have exceeded our target and performed better than our previous projections,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said at a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara News Agency.

Government figures show that average spending per foreign visitor reached US$1,267 in 2025, surpassing the target of $1,220.

Malaysia remained the biggest contributor to Indonesia’s tourism revenue, while the United Arab Emirates posted the fastest growth in visitor numbers.

Arrivals from China rose sharply, reaching 1.34 million in 2025, the highest level in six years, according to Xinhua News Agency. The data indicates that travel from China to Indonesia has not only recovered but has also exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

By doing the math of the numbers revealed in the above news report, US$1,267 multiplied with 15.39 foreign tourists is equal to roughly US$19.5 billion in foreign tourism revenue. That is a huge economic boost for Indonesia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Indonesia? If you have visited Indonesia, what did you enjoy the most while touring there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts 2.5 Million Foreign Tourists In January 2026

Vietnam Attracts 2.5 Million Foreign Tourists In January 2026

carlocarrasco

Vietnam, which is already one of the leading players of Southeast Asia on foreign tourism, is off to a powerful start as it successfully attracted 2.5 million foreign tourists in January 2026 alone, according to a news report by VnExpress. The relaxed visa policies and enhanced tourism campaigns were factors behind the early success.

For insight, Vietnam attracted 21.2 million foreign tourists in 2025. It is expected to attract more from Israel as its ties with the Jewish state are getting stronger. Also, a lot of Filipino travelers searched for accommodations in Vietnam online in 2025. These are only a few of many factors highlighting the tourism boom in Vietnam.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 2.5 million foreign visitors in January, its highest monthly number ever, thanks to relaxed visa policies and increased tourism campaigns.

It represents an increase of more than 21% from the previous month, data released Tuesday by the General Statistics Office shows.

The composition of Vietnam’s top source markets changed during the month. South Korea overtook mainland China to become the top market with nearly 490,000 visitors, and China was next with 460,000.

Cambodia emerged as the most notable mover with more than 223,000 arrivals to rise to third place overtaking Taiwan. The rest of top 10 comprised Taiwan, Japan, the U.S, Australia, Russia, India, and Malaysia.

Industry insiders attribute the jump to ground-breaking visa policies, strong innovation in tourism promotion and marketing, greater product diversification, and improved service quality.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Vietnam? With the strong start, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract more than 30 million foreign tourists this year? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to tourism in Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

I Love Israel: Direct Flights Between Israel And The Philippines In 2027 Planned

I Love Israel: Direct Flights Between Israel And The Philippines In 2027 Planned

carlocarrasco

Have you ever dreamed of visiting the Holy Land in Israel as well as the many other nice places which welcome tourists from around the world? EL AL Airlines, the national airline of Israel, announced its plans to introduce direct flights between Israel and the Philippines starting some time in 2027, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The plans are subject to regulatory approvals as of this writing. The Israel-Philippines route is just one of several new routes EL AL is pushing for.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface.

Israel’s national carrier, EL AL Airlines, announced plans to introduce nonstop flights between Israel and the Philippines, following a series of talks.

In a social media post on Monday, EL AL said it is rolling out the broadest route network in its history, with nine new destinations set to launch in 2027.

The expansion includes new long-haul nonstop flights to Hanoi in Vietnam, Seoul in South Korea and Manila, with three weekly flights to each destination to be operated using the airline’s Dreamliner aircraft, offering economy, premium and business classes.

The planned nonstop flight between Israel and Manila comes after discussions on the feasibility of a direct air link, seen as a boost to tourism, business travel and people-to-people exchanges.

EL AL said ticket sales for Hanoi flights are now open, while sales for Seoul will begin in May.

Further details on the Manila route, including the start of sales and flight schedules, will be announced at a later date.

For its part, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of the Philippines supports the plan citing President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to expand international air connectivity and the strengthening the bilateral ties between nations. High-level talks happened between the DOTr and the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippine Dana Kursh.

Having been to Israel myself, I am delighted with the planned Israel-Philippine direct flights planned by EL AL. Direct flights will help not only Filipinos but also foreign travelers to visit Israel for business, pilgrimage and leisure.

When I first traveled to Israel in 2023, it was on an EL AL flight using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Then our Israel pilgrimage tour took place afterwards and I personally witnessed God’s Word come to life whenever we visited the many sites of the Holy Land. I encourage you all to read my feature articles about the Pool of Siloam, the Southern Steps in Jerusalem, Nazareth Village, the grave of Oskar Schindler, the Dead Sea Beach, and some nice commercial joints (click here, here, here and here).

Having direct flights between the Jewish state and the Philippines will also help my native country attract more foreign tourists as well as Israeli investors and technology developers. The Philippines right now is experiencing slower economic growth, having trouble attracting foreign investors and it remains a weak compared with its Southeast Asian neighbors when it comes to attracting foreign tourists.

As such, I encourage all of you to pray to God for the planned Israel-Philippines direct flights of EL AL Airlines to be fulfilled, and for improvements in the ties between Israel and the Philippines. As I mentioned many times online, Israel-Philippines ties are essential!

To all my readers, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Makes Moves To Handle Overtourism By 2030

Japan Makes Moves To Handle Overtourism By 2030

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With an all-time high of 42.7 million foreign tourists counted in 2025, Japan is clearly having a tremendous tourism boom that is also unprecedented. While the country took in over $60 billion from the said foreign tourists, immense tourism is causing a wide series of challenges for the Japanese residents and the authority, and this early the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) announced that the nation will make serious moves to tackle overtourism by the year 2030, according to a news article by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The Japan Tourism Agency said Friday it plans to more than double the number of regions taking steps to address overtourism from the current 47 by 2030, in an effort to increase understanding among the public of the importance of inbound tourism to the nation’s economy.

A goal to boost the number of such regions to 100 will be included for the first time in the government’s next basic tourism promotion plan. A draft of the plan, which covers five years from fiscal 2026, was presented to a panel of experts and is scheduled to be approved by the Cabinet in March.

According to the draft, the government will maintain its existing targets to increase inbound visitor numbers to 60 million and their annual spending to 15 trillion yen ($97 billion) by 2030.

In 2025, foreign visitors to Japan reached an estimated record of 42.7 million, with their spending also at a new all-time high of 9.5 trillion yen, according to the government.

With a sharp decline in Chinese tourists due to deteriorating bilateral relations, the draft also stressed the importance of preparing for changes in the international situation, saying that efforts will be made to attract visitors from a wide range of countries and regions.

The agency has been implementing model projects to support regions taking steps to address overtourism issues, such as traffic congestion and nuisance behavior.

To date, 47 regions, including Kyoto in western Japan and Taketomi in Okinawa Prefecture, have been advancing initiatives based on resident feedback, including easing congestion on local roads and limiting visitor numbers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think that the ongoing tourism in Japan will last for at least the next three years? Would you be surprised to see foreign tourist arrivals in Japan reach 45 million by the end of this year? Are you dismayed to see foreign tourists misbehave or violate local rules during their stay in Japan? Do you think China’s hostility against Japan will bring down this year’s count of foreign tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Malaysia Aiming At Overall Title Of The 2027 SEA Games

Malaysia Aiming At Overall Title Of The 2027 SEA Games

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This early, Malaysia is aiming at the top of the 34th edition of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) which it will host in 2027, according to news report by VnExpress. Malaysia finished 4th place in the 2025 SEA Games held in Thailand with fifty-seven gold medals won.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has set the goal of the country being overall champions at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2027, which will be hosted by Malaysia.

Newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Mohd Taufiq Johari said after taking office on Jan. 16 that the ministry, together with the National Sports Council (NSC), will strengthen cooperation with national sports associations and others to work towards that goal.

He expressed confidence that Malaysia could emerge as the strongest team at the SEA Games 2027, and voiced optimism about repeating the overall championship the country secured when it last hosted the event in 2017.

Taufiq praised the dedication and fighting spirit displayed by Malaysian athletes at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand, saying he hoped they will maintain the same qualities when Malaysia hosts the Games in 2027.

He added that the KBS, together with the NSC and relevant agencies, have already drawn up detailed plans and a clear timeline, including the organization of workshops, to ensure medal targets can be achieved.

Apart from being a highly competitive nation in the SEA Games, Malaysia itself is the 2nd most visited nation of Southeast Asia in 2025. Hosting the SEA Games in 2027 could help it attract more foreign tourists in the short term.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the preparations initiated by Malaysia will pay off nicely during the 2027 SEA Games? Being the host nation, what sports do you think Malaysia could add to or subtract from the 2027 SEA Games? Do you feel excited about the next Southeast Asian Games?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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