vacation – Page 8 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Philippines tourism gains from influx of South Korean visitors

April 19, 2023April 16, 2023carlocarrasco

Tourism in the Philippines continues to progress in terms of attracting visitors from overseas as tourists from South Korea emerged as the top source of foreign visitors this year, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

South Korea is again the Philippines’ top source of foreign visitors so far this year.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco bared this on Thursday when she greeted a batch of 300 travelers from South Korea at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The travelers are members of the Korea branch of UNICITY, a direct selling company on health functional foods, cosmetics and household items and with over 60 markets globally.

As a reward to their top agents, sellers, and distributors, UNICITY-Korea sends a big volume of incentive groups to Southeast Asian countries annually.

This year, the company is sending 1,400 people in four batches (April 9, 13, 17, and 21) to Cebu.

Department of Tourism data showed a significant pick up in Korean arrivals since last year, with 428,014 or a 16.13 percent share of the country’s arrivals received between Feb. 10 — when the country eased its borders for leisure travelers — up until Dec. 31, 2022.

“The good news is that as of today, we have over 1.5 million tourist arrivals to the Philippines and our number one top source market are the Koreans. So we’re very grateful to our friends from Korea for continuing to show their love for the Philippines as they have come back in droves, and the UNICITY group in particular, has come with a delegation of no less than 1,400 individuals,” Frasco said.

Upon their arrival, the travelers were welcomed with leis and performances by Filipiniana-clad rondalla serenaders as well as by Sinulog dancers.

Prior to the pandemic, Korea ranked number one in terms of visitor arrivals to the Philippines, with 1,989,322 or 24.08 percent of the country’s total number of arrivals for 2019.

Arrivals from Korea declined drastically during the pandemic, dropping to 338,877 and 6,456, for 2020 and 2021, respectively.

“They’re coming on a daily basis and the numbers are increasing by the day. Last year, they were at number two, because it is the United States that [provided] our number one top source market. But this year, the Koreans have reclaimed the number one spot and we send out the message to all our friends in Korea, that you are more than welcome to keep coming back again and again to Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, and the rest of our beautiful islands in the Philippines,” Frasco said.

PH as ideal MICE destination

Frasco noted that the arrival of a delegation as big as the UNICITY group is a welcome development especially with the DOT “seeing MICE tourism become a very strong product for the Philippines and also for Cebu.”

“They are staying for a few days and we expect that this will contribute greatly to the economy of Cebu in particular, and to the rest of the country in general, considering the multiplier effect of tourism is really so that they will support our local tourism stakeholders, our small and medium enterprises, and the like,” Frasco said.

To further boost the Korean tourism source market and visitor arrivals, the DOT, through its office in Korea, carries out marketing initiatives including an online presentation to educate the MICE (meetings, incentives, conference, exhibitions) players in the Philippines about the Korean MICE market, as well as participation to upcoming key events such as business-to-business fairs, and a MICE roadshow.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will continue to attract even more visitors from South Korea? Do you hope to see some of the South Korean visitors settle here in the Philippines and help build up the national economy by establishing legitimate businesses and creating new jobs?

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

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

Department of Tourism (DOT) unveils ambitious plan to establish Philippines as a major tourism player in Asia within five years

March 22, 2023March 17, 2023carlocarrasco

Tourism in the Philippines looks bright right now. Recently, the MUEG Bank Ltd. Of Japan expressed that the tourism sector of the Philippines could double this year with the return of Chinese tourists as the factor. For its part, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced the scrapping of mask wearing and proof of vaccination as requirements in the nation’s tourism enterprises.

Recently, the DOT announced its ambitious plan to transform the nation into a major player in international tourism (specifically within Asia) in the next five years, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

The Philippines targets to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the next five years, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Wednesday.

At the unveiling of the 2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) during a tourism stakeholders’ summit in Manila, the Department of Tourism (DOT) vowed to “establish a Philippine tourism industry anchored on Filipino culture, heritage and identity, which aims to be sustainable, resilient and competitive in order to transform the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia.”

The roadmap identified seven measures to achieve this goal, with improving tourism infrastructure and accessibility as one of the priorities.

“The overall target is the transformation of the tourism industry of the Philippines, which is why we have embarked on the objective of not just focusing on the promotion of tourism but more importantly on the development of industry from the ground up focusing not just on our key destinations, but also on our emerging and lesser known destinations,” Frasco said.

“We can only truly transform the Philippine tourism industry if we address the prevailing challenges that we face continually across our regions,” she added.

On connectivity, Frasco said DOT is working with the Department of Transportation to negotiate more routes for air and sea travel.

Under the NTDP, Frasco said DOT would focus on digitalization; enhancement of the overall tourist experience by incentivizing sustainable travel and improving safety and security in destinations, among others.

The agency would also tap local government units in developing more tourist sites and linking emerging ones to key destinations.

She said the government will increase investments in creating “high-value” tourism experiences and announced the May 2023 launch of the Philippine Experience.

The program, which aims to highlight heritage and culture unique to every region in the country, will be piloted in Davao, Ilocos Region, Bicol and Calabarzon.

The program, she said, would include a three to five-day tour packages allowing tourists to experience both well-known and lesser-known destinations in said regions.

Frasco presented the salient points of the NTDP before the country’s top tourism players. The roadmap was first previewed during the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) meeting convened in February and would be submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for approval within the month.

“This NTDP will serve as a blueprint for the strategies on how the Department of Tourism intends to continue and to grow the impact of tourism upon our economy in the next few years. This will be the guidebook of the industry where we put in place mechanisms for sustainability for many many years to come,” Frasco said.

‘Rosy prospects’ – Frasco noted that, even prior to the finalization of NTDP, the DOT has closely collaborated with tourism stakeholders in carrying out the President’s vision through its various plans and programs, citing the most recent awards and nominations received by the Philippines and its tourism destinations.

The DOT has yet to reveal arrival targets for the next five years but earlier said it seeks to reach 4.8 million in foreign visitors by end of 2023.

This follows the positive momentum set in 2022, which successfully closed with 2.65 million visitors that translates to PHP214 billion or roughly USD4 billion in estimated revenues.

“The momentum for recovery and growth has begun. We’ve eased restrictions. We’ve continued to aggressively promote our destinations through the DOT’s constant and unyielding presence in various exhibits in the Philippines and all over the world. And people are traveling now, and are traveling with a vengeance,” Frasco said.

“By promoting the Philippines through the biggest international tourism and trade fairs across Asia and Europe, we are re-introducing the Philippines to the world, and bringing no less than the best of the best of the country and the Filipino people,” she added

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT and all the strategic partners will be able to fulfill all the adjustments needed to transform the Philippines into a major tourist destination? What would you suggest to the DOT to make the tourism experience in the country more efficient and more interesting? Do you think it is time for the DOT to start recognizing local conventions or special events (examples: ToyCon, Trans Sport Show) and start encouraging foreign tourists to attend them?

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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House of Representatives approve Marcos-backed VAT refund for outbound foreign tourists bill on 3rd and final reading

March 13, 2023March 7, 2023carlocarrasco

It looks like the Philippines will make a major step forward in the highly competitive field of tourism as the House of Representatives recently approved on 3^rd and final reading the proposal on granting Value Added Tax (VAT) refund for outbound tourists, according to a GMA Network news report. The newly approved bill is a measure backed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

Having been to Israel recently, I noticed that the VAT refunds for foreign tourists who are about to leave the country is the norm.

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

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill granting Value Added Tax (VAT) refund for outbound tourists, a bill backed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

House Bill 7292 earned 304 “yes” votes, four “no” votes, and zero abstention.

Under the proposed measure, tourists will be eligible for a VAT refund on goods purchased from accredited retailers in the Philippines as long as such goods are taken out of the country within 60 days from the date of purchase and the value of goods purchased per transaction amounts to at least P3,000.

The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Finance to adjust the P3,000 threshold, taking into account the following indicators: administration costs in processing refunds; consumer price index; and other market conditions, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Tourism and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

“This measure [is being passed] to adopt best practices in VAT refund schemes among Asia Pacific tourism destinations and expand the country’s competitiveness among its peers and neighboring countries,” the committee report on the measure read.

The bill defines a “tourist” as a foreign passport holder who is a non-resident individual not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines.

House ways and means panel chairperson Representative Joey Salceda earlier said the measure will generate P10 billion to P40 billion worth of increased sales for local suppliers.

Salceda was one of the principal authors of the measure, alongside House ways and means panel vice chairperson Mikaela Suansing of Nueva Ecija who chaired the technical working group drafting amendments to the original proposed bill.

“Generally, for every P1 refunded, the tourist spends an additional 1.5 pesos. That will create an additional twenty to eighty thousand jobs, and will also improve our gross international reserves,” Salceda said.

The above report ended stating that the newly approved measure was recommended to the Marcos administration by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), a group composed of business leaders and industry experts providing technical advice to the President. Take note that last year, the Philippines attracted over 2.6 million foreign tourists and generated P200 billion worth of tourism revenue.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the newly approved measure will pass in the Philippine Senate soon? Do you think the measure will make the Philippines more competitive in international tourism?

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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Showing proof of vaccination and wearing of masks no longer required in Philippine tourism enterprises

March 9, 2023March 6, 2023carlocarrasco

Having been to Israel recently where locals and tourists are no longer burdened by COVID-19 related restrictions and requirements, I noticed that the Philippines is behind in terms of freedom (from COVID-19 restrictions) on the part of people, businesses and tourists. In short, the Philippines still has yet to fully move on to post-pandemic life.

As the Philippines really needs to attract more tourists from overseas this year and fully revive the tourist industry as a whole, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced recently the scrapping of mask wearing and proof of vaccination as requirements in tourism enterprises around the country, the Manila Bulletin reported. In other words, tourists and tourism-related business joints will have lesser COVID-19 hassles to deal with.

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

As the country’s tourist destinations become more open for travelers, showing proof of vaccination and wearing masks are no longer required in tourism enterprises, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Monday, March 6.

Supporting the “national government’s liberalization of the COVID-19 restrictions in the country”, the DOT released the Memorandum Circular (MC) 2023-0002 to further ease health and safety guidelines governing the operations of tourism establishments. According to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the MC is a follow-through of the efforts they started last year to assist the economic hardships of tourism stakeholders by issuing regulations pushing for the opening of the country to tourism.

“This latest issuance on the relaxed health and safety guidelines for tourism establishments reinforces the Department of Tourism’s commitment towards addressing the economic hardships of the tourism industry brought about by the lockdowns and restrictions of the pandemic,” she noted.

“Our country is open for tourism, and that we are keeping up with global practices on tourism operations that have already opened up worldwide,” she went on.

The tourism department already made similar issuances last year through its Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation (OTSR) and regional offices following the signing of Executive Order No. 7, which mandated the voluntary wearing of mask in indoor and outdoor settings.

It can be recalled that the OTSR issued Memorandum 2022-509 in November 2022 reiterating the voluntary wearing of face masks and the waning requirement on the presentation of proof of full vaccination in tourism enterprises.

Last month, on the other hand, the Department of Trade and Industry Safety Seal Secretariat announced the discontinuance of the Safety Seal Certification Program, the voluntary certification scheme affirming that an establishment is compliant with the minimum public health standards set by the government and uses or integrates its contact tracing with staysafe.ph.

Through DOT MC 2023-0002, the DOT ordered the lifting of the previous administration’s earlier requirement for tourism establishments to install plastic, acrylic barriers, and dividers in designated areas, and likewise ordered the removal of signages, visual cues, and other installations on mandatory protocols, which have since been liberalized by the national government.

“In adherence to the country’s policy shifts on minimum public health standards, the DOT also announced that it shall no longer issue the PH Safety Seal and WTTC Safe Travels Stamp to tourism enterprises found compliant to guidelines set in accordance with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21-01 issued by the DOT and other national government agencies on the Safety Seal Certification Program, and Memorandum Circular 2022-003, respectively,” it was disclosed.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you think the latest moves by the DOT will make the Philippines a more convenient and friendlier place for both local and foreign tourists? Do you think that the Department of Health (DOH) should stay away from the tourism industry and let the DOT handle all the COVID-19 related matters? If you are managing a business trying to attract tourists, what is the one thing about COVID-19 rules that harms your business the most?

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 and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/

A great Shakshuka lunch at Mahane Yehuda market

March 6, 2023March 24, 2023carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from my personal experiences and observations during the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined. Additional information from the official social media account of the subject business is also used. Take note that this is not a sponsored article at all. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

During the free day I had on February 15, 2023 – the day-off from the Israel pilgrimage tour I was part of – I used the additional time to not only go to key sites in the old city of Jerusalem (the Temple Mount, revisiting the Western Wall, revisiting the Jewish Quarter, King David’s Tomb, revisiting the Upper Room plus Oskar Schindler’s grave in a cemetery outside the city wall) but also explore what Jerusalem has to offer in terms of food and beverages.

The popular Mahane Yehuda market was my destination of choice to have lunch at and explore other joints within. This was actually my return to Mahane Yehuda as I had my first visit to the place a few days prior. On my way to the market marching along Jaffa Street all the way from the old city, I managed to find time to have a much-needed break at Tmol Shilshom. It was an elegant place that was worth the challenge finding.

After the short-but-sweet stay at Tmol Shilshom, I proceeded to Mahane Yehuda but I noticed something…the weather suddenly got colder as a light rain took place. This is Israel winter season I am talking about here and a little rain is enough to make the air colder.

Eventually, I returned to Mahane Yehuda market. The difference compared to my first visit is that the air was colder and the pavement was slightly wet due to the weather. As I was desiring to have Shakshuka for lunch, I went into the roofed part of the market and eventually made my way to the one food joint that specialized with what I wanted to eat – Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda.

*The view from my seat at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda. This was taken while waiting for my lunch special.*

For the newcomers reading this, Shakshuka (also spelled as Shakshouka) is a dish composed of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, oliver oil, pepper, onion and garlic topped with green vegetables and some spices.

Going back to my arrival at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda, I was fortunate enough to find a vacant seat (located near the small restroom). The pretty lady behind the counter handed me their menu in English which I carefully viewed. For my meal, I eagerly ordered their lunch special composed of Shakshuka with bread, pickles, colored tahini and a soft drink. The type of Shakshuka I specifically chose was the Classic/Fire (48 Shekels).

The pretty lady behind the counter proceeded with my Classic/Fire Shakshuka order. She prepared the ingredients for the Shakshuka and had it cooked within her workspace. The bread, meanwhile, was cooked in a toaster oven.

*This is my Classic/Fire Shakshuka lunch special served to me hot and with a nice aroma.*

When my meal was served really hot, there was this nice aroma that greeted me. There was also this instant relief from the cold air. While I was already hungry considering how far I walked from the hotel to the sites in the old city, to Tmol Shilshom and the Mahane Yehuda market, I paused for a while to admire the my Classic/Fire Shakshuka meal. It was, after all, my first-ever Shakshuka meal and the end of our Israel pilgrimage tour was near.

*A close look at my Shakshuka. The sauce is rich and you can see parts of the two eggs within.*

Finally, I decided to take my first bite of the Classic/Fire by eating like a local. I cut off a piece of the hot bread and moved it through the Shakshuka to catch a portion of it, and then ate it. Instantly, I really enjoyed the unique taste of the Shakshuka and this includes the freshness of the tomatoes and ingredients cooked together. Consuming it with a piece of bread (note: which I learned from consuming bread with Humus) along with the green vegetables added this nice texture into what I consumed. Then I went on to cut off another piece of hot bread, moved it through the Shakshuka (note: I got more of the egg this time) and ate. It was a really joyful eating experience.

*With a piece of bread, I managed to get a portion of the Shakshuka and consumed it.*

After running out of bread, I started using the provided spoon to slowly consume the Shakshuka. The heat was really nice and I really felt it inside me after consuming portions. I ended up being fully satisfied and really happy to have my lunch there at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda. I paid my bill and, in support of the business, I gave a tip.

Conclusion

I really had a great lunch at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda inside the popular Mahane Yehuda market. Their lunch special was very delicious, nicely cooked and fulfilled what was promised. The Classic/Fire variant of their lunch special is just one of several types of Shakshuka offered. Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda also offers Eggplant Shakshuka, Spinach Shakshuka, Yellow Pepper Shakshuka, Alfredo Shakshuka, Eggplant Parmesan Shakshuka, Cream-Spinach and Feta Shakshuka, and even Pizza Shakshuka. The food joint has so much to offer customers looking for not only freshly cooked Shakshuka but also sandwiches, French Fries, Israeli Salad and coffee.

The next time I visit Jerusalem and the Mahane Yehuda market, I would not hesitate to come back to Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda and try their other Shakshuka variants. I am deeply thankful to our Lord for the great Shaksuka lunch I had. Never forget to thank the Lord and glorify Him in return for the good food and drinks you enjoy. In fact, always thank and glorify the Lord for the blessings you receive from Him and for His plans for you. Also, learn to stand united with Israel and love and bless the Jewish people. Learn from the holy scriptures below…

So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (AMPC)

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

Psalm 9:1 (NLT)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Again God said to him, Your name is Jacob [supplanter]; you shall not be called Jacob any longer, but Israel shall be your name. So He called him Israel [contender with God].

And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock;

The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land.

Genesis 35:10-12 (AMPC)

God told Abram: “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you.

I’ll make you a great nation
    and bless you.
I’ll make you famous;
    you’ll be a blessing.
I’ll bless those who bless you;
    those who curse you I’ll curse.
All the families of the Earth
    will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 12:1-3 (MSG)

*Looking for Shakshuka, sandwiches and other nice food within Mahane Yehuda market? I highly recommend visiting Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda.*

If ever you will be visiting Israel and you will be spending time in Jerusalem, then I highly recommend visiting Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda for meals as part of your visit in the Mahane Yehuda market.

Follow the food joint’s Instagram account by clicking https://www.instagram.com/shakshuka.machaneyehuda/

Watch out for more Israel 2023 travel pieces here.

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I Love Israel: Israel attracted 2.675 million tourist entries generating 13.5 billion shekels in tourism revenue for 2022

January 16, 2023January 11, 2023carlocarrasco

The tourism numbers for the State of Israel covering the calendar year of 2022 have been finalized. Israel’s Ministry of Tourism confirmed that the state attracted a total of 2.675 million tourist entries which generated tourism revenue worth 13.5 billion shekels (US$3.8 billion). The Jerusalem Post confirmed the tourist entries figure as well. Take note that Israel opened its borders to international travelers in March 2022 and very clearly their tourism industry is bouncing back strongly which is good for their economy. The above reported figures are the best since 2019 (the record year of tourism in Israel).

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

In 2022, 2.675 million tourist entries were recorded (as opposed to only 397,000 in 2021 and 831,000 in 2020). The skies in Israel were opened officially to incoming tourism in March 2022 and only three months later, in May, without any restrictions. Incoming tourism to Israel in 2022 is about 41% lower than 2019, a record year for incoming tourism. Revenue from incoming tourism stands at about NIS 13.5 billion (not including cost of flights) as opposed to about NIS 23 billion in 2019.

The Ministry of Tourism notes that there are a number of factors that have affected tourist entries in this recovery year: tourists plan their trips far in advance, and Israel opened for incoming tourism later than similar destinations in the area and Europe. Therefore, Israel’s recovery rate from the crisis is slightly lower than the global average of about 36% decrease in the volume of incoming tourism relative to 2019.

However, a renewed growth in tourism can be seen. In December 2022, 266,200 tourist entries were recorded (compared with 20,500 in December 2021 and 358,300 in December 2019) – a decrease of about 25% (only) in relation to December 2019.

Very clearly, Israel continues to rise with its tourism industry as their nation keeps on persevering with recovering from the depression that came with the COVID-19 crisis a few years back. Considering what was achieved in 2022 in terms of attracting visitors from overseas, further growth this year should not be surprising. There are many millions of people around the world who are eager to visit Israel and spend time at the many holy sites in relation to their faith. For insight about the recovery and growth of tourism in Israel, watch the videos below…

Be thankful to God that the State of Israel is recovering strongly from the COVID-19 crisis. Thank Him for the big rebound of tourism Israel is having right now. Be thankful to Him as many millions of people around the world who believe and follow Lord Jesus will have opportunities to visit the Holy Land to deepen their faith in Him even more.

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! Always stand in support of Israel, the land that God designated to the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12)!

In ending this I Love Israel piece, posted below are Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and enlightenment.

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Philippines attracted 2.65 million international arrivals and over P200 billion in tourism revenues in 2022

January 6, 2023January 3, 2023carlocarrasco

With the year 2022 officially over, the Department of Tourism (DOT) officially confirmed that the Philippines attracted 2.65 million tourist arrivals (exceeding the target of 1.7 million) and over P200 billion in tourism revenues were generated for the year, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The holidays delivered further gains for the Philippine tourism industry as it breached its 1.7-million target with 2.65 million international arrivals as of the end of 2022.

The arrivals translated to PHP208.96 billion or USD3.68 billion in tourism revenues, a whopping 2,465.75-percent increase from 2021, according to a news release on Monday.

Based on the monitoring of the Department of Tourism (DOT) from the time the country reopened its borders to all travelers in February until Dec. 31, 2022 arrivals peaked in December as more Filipinos and tourists alike opted to spend the Christmas and New Year vacations in the Philippines.

Of the total 2.65 million international arrivals last year, 628,445 were returning Filipinos while the bulk of 2.02 million tourists were from top markets United States (505,089), South Korea (428,014), Australia (137,974), Canada (121,413), the United Kingdom (101,034), Japan (99,557), Singapore (53,448), India (51,542), Malaysia (46,805) and China (39,627).

The year just ended likewise generated an estimated 5.23 million tourism-related jobs, 11,989 DOT-accredited tourism enterprises as of Dec. 29, 2022 and 25,770 tourism stakeholders who were trained.

DOT Secretary Christina Frasco was elated over the achievements of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., just six months into office.

She said the tourism sector’s growth clearly showed the hard work of the entire industry in order to recover from the unprecedented crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Moments of great difficulty are also moments of great opportunity. In the past, we have overcome a global pandemic and survived various calamities. The Philippine tourism industry has managed to exceed expectations and our tourism partners and frontliners continue to offer the best of Filipino grace and hospitality to the world,” Frasco said in a statement.

“We welcome 2023 with gratitude and excitement for Philippine tourism to bounce back stronger than ever. We shall welcome with warmth and that distinct Filipino smile visitors from all over the world as they visit our award-winning beaches, experience the richness of our culture, and enjoy our world-renowned Filipino brand of service excellence,” she added.

Frasco is hopeful that the DOT will surpass its targets anew in 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development about the Philippines tourism? If you are managing a business, did your business benefit somehow from the arrival of foreign tourists and/or Filipinos who arrived from overseas? Do you think the DOT will be able to achieve its targets for 2023?

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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Philippines counted 2.6 million tourist arrivals in 2022

January 4, 2023January 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Since it opened its borders for travelers from abroad in early 2022, the Philippines registered a total of 2.6 million tourist arrivals for the year, according to a GMA Network news report quoting the Department of Tourism (DOT). Take note that the DOT has higher targets for attracting foreign tourists this new year.

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

A total of 2.6 million tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

This is due to the opening of borders to all international travelers in February, the DOT added, according to a report on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Monday.

Some P173 billion tourism revenue was recorded in 2022, the department said.

The DOT said more than 628,000 arrivals are returning Filipinos.

The top arriving international tourists were from the US, South Korea, Australia, and United Kingdom.

Very clearly, the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to happen in different ways around the world. For the Philippines itself, the arrivals and presence of foreign tourists as well as Filipinos based overseas are crucial for the socio-economic development of the whole nation. As such, we Filipinos can be more supportive towards the DOT and other national stakeholders to make tourism – both foreign and local – thrive again with the nation in mind.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you believe the DOT can achieve its targets for 2023? Do you think the local government units (LGUs) should become more pro-active on emphasizing local tourism? What is the most notable local tourist site in your city right now? Did you notice your favorite local coffee shop or restaurant having more foreigners as customers lately?

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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Philippines aiming to attract 4.8 million foreign visitors and generate $5.8 billion tourism revenue in 2023

December 22, 2022December 20, 2022carlocarrasco

With the economic recovery from COVID-19 still continuing and the year coming to an end, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed its targets for foreign visitors and tourism revenue in 2023, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). For the newcomers reading this, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared already that it is time for the to return to pre-pandemic life and having a strong tourism sector is a crucial part of the post-pandemic strategy. It has also been several months since the Philippines opened its borders to

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

The Philippines eyes to double its tourism revenues and reach at least 4.8 million in foreign visitor arrivals in 2023.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco Friday revealed the projections as she presented the efforts of the agency to expedite tourism’s recovery.

Frasco said DOT seeks to attract 4.8 million visitors and generate at least USD5.8 billion in revenue.

Latest data showed that the Philippines has already breached its 1.7 million arrivals target for 2022, hitting over 2.46 million tourists and PHP149 billion in receipts.

With the administration’s focus on tourism and the various measures implemented to ease travel, Frasco is optimistic Manila could even surpass the pre-pandemic tourism figures before 2025.

DOT’s initial forecast indicated that Manila will not reach more than 8 million tourists until after 2025, a projection Frasco described as “alarming”.

“[T]o me, that was an alarming projection in a sense that 2025 is so far off for us to obtain our pre-pandemic levels until after 2025 and that really forced us to take an inward look as to how we can expedite the recovery,” she told reporters.

“Having set out policies under the Marcos administration, precisely to serve the more aggressive approach towards tourism recovery, we’re seeing now that we have been able to breach the previous projection as well as the high projection (for this year),” she added.

Aside from constructing rest areas and improving connectivity for inbound tourists, Frasco presented more initiatives DOT sets to undertake in the next few months.

These include showcasing the country as a top cruise destination by 2023, coordinating with the relevant office to ease visa processing, and strengthening the promotion of Mindanao — especially for halal tourism.

Frasco also said DOT and the Department of National Defense are soon to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to obtain necessary data to determine the “most ideal areas to begin the process of reopening Mindanao.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development about the Philippines and its tourism plans for 2023? Do you think it is doable for the Philippines to attract 4.8 million foreign visitors by the end of 2023? What do you think the DOT should do when it comes to emphasizing tourism through conventions and special events? Do you think the DOT is doing enough with getting involved with sports tourism, medical tourism, food tourism, and the like?

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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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 5

December 5, 2022December 1, 2022carlocarrasco

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you watch the following videos below…

#1 Elizabeth Holmes’ scandal and punishment – In case you missed the news, the heavily hyped Silicon Valley personality Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced to eleven years in prison as a result of the big fraud at her company Theranos. A lot of crookedness and lying happened behind the scenes at Theranos as the years passed by and America’s media highlighted Holmes (who is an idolater of the late Steve Jobs) as an icon. Holmes’ invention of testing blood using only a tiny drop never really worked and Theranos resorted to deception using conventional blood testing machines. To fully understand the background details, what Theranos was and how tremendous the fraud was, watch the videos below. The fourth video below is about the sentencing.

#2 Starfield updates – Starfield is an ambitious science fiction role-playing game being made by Bethesda exclusively for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC for release sometime in 2023. You can read my preview about it by clicking here. The video game was originally scheduled for a November 2022 release but a delay into 2023 was made. This only added further to the anticipation of the game (note: it will also debut on Xbox Game Pass for subscribers to enjoy). To learn more about Starfield, watch the videos below. The third video at the bottom has the latest updates.

#3 Worship video of God of the Breakthrough – There is another original worship song by New Life Music that I want to share with you all – God of the Breakthrough. Composed by Chynna Cuna, Dem Mokamad, Jed Patricio, Gianna Bautista and Joed Avila, the song emphasizes that the Lord is our Creator, our Provider (Jehovah Jireh), our Ultimate Love, our Miracle Worker, our Guiding light, our Protector, our Redeemer, our Healer and our Ultimate and All-Powerful Authority! The Lord loves the faithful and His care, blessings and guidance still continue! God of the Breakthrough’s lyrics are indeed holy and you can find more by reading my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) article about it. Posted below is the official worship video.

#4 Informative videos about traveling to Israel – If you are planning to visit Israel, you need to do research for your personal safety, to get the best value out of your money, how to travel efficiently, what to do (and what to avoid doing) and more. Israel is where the Holy Land is and Jerusalem is its eternal capital. In recent times, visitors from around the world have traveled to Israel in high numbers. There is no denying that Israel is the land that God designated for the Jewish people (refer to Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 35:10-12 in the Holy Bible). Posted below are videos from TravelingIsrael.com and from Ms. Emily (note: Tagalog language).

#5 Looking back at Steven Spielberg’s Jaws – If you are tired of modern day movies or if you have been disappointed with Steven Spielberg’s movies over the past decade, then going back to one of the director’s most acclaimed works in cinema would be a refreshing experience. The classic movie directed by Spielberg I’m talking about is none other than Jaws (1975). Posted below for your enjoyment are a variety of reaction videos plus a trivia-oriented video by Minty Comedic Arts.

#6 Ashleigh Burton crying – Some of you who have seen enough movie reaction videos by YouTube Asheigh Burton should have realized by now that she is a jolly person. Having seen many of her videos myself, there were lots of times when she laughs even though she was reacting to movies that were not comedies at all. There are certain movie reactions videos of hers in which she got to cry as those respective films touched her deeply. Take note that she does not cry all the time but in key scenes. Watch the reaction videos of hers below.

#7 Worship video of Encounter Song – The Australia-based church Planetshakers continues to keep leading people to the Lord through their worship services, worship events and, of course, their worship music. Among the many, many original worship songs that I want to share with you today is the Encounter Song (note: read my feature of it by clicking here). The song is indeed holy and it definitely should be heard by Christians who are devoted to the Lord, and even to the many lost souls and unsaved souls around the world. Very clearly, Planetshakers was anointed by the Lord to compose it. Posted below is the official worship video of the Encounter Song.

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