DOT Encourages Pinoys to Start Planning for Holiday Getaways

Couples who want to have a second honeymoon or simply spend some time together will have more time to prepare it this year. After the early release of the list of holidays for 2009, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has encouraged Filipinos to begin planning their out-of-town vacations.

"We urge our countrymen to explore the 7,107 islands they haven’t seen or would like to revisit. We have the beaches, mountains, countryside, heritage sites, caves, rivers; food trips, urban verve – almost everything a traveler would want to experience, the Philippines has it. We advise people to book ahead to get the best and affordable tour packages and promotional fares,” DOT Secretary Ace Durano said in a DOT news release.

Sec. Durano adds that domestic tourism will not only strengthen family ties but will help alleviate the economic crisis being experienced by the country as well, since an increased in spending will help local businesses and in turn, will create jobs. Mr. Durano has advised hotels, spas, tour operators, and other allied industries to prepare during the long weekend and holidays to be able to accommodate the expected guests. Also, the Secretary encourages these establishments to offer group tour packages since most vacationers travel with their families and friends.

Meanwhile, Mr. Eduardo Jarque, Jr., DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions, stated that while Boracay, Palawan, Davao, Cebu, Bohol, Vigan, Baguio, and Manila are the top destinations in the country, DOT is advocating discovery of other unexplored provinces. Other suggested sites include Siquijor, Camiguin, Quezon, Zamboanga del Sur and del Norte, Camarines Sur, Batangas, Mindoro, Dumaguete, Leyte and Negros for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts; loilo, Bacolod, and Laguna for history-inclined tourists; and Sagada, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Mountain Province, Romblon, Batanes, and Marinduque for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Malacañang has released last December 24, 2008, through Proclamation No. 1699 the list of approved holidays for this year.

• April 4-6, Saturday – Monday (Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor)
• April 9-12, Thursday – Sunday (Holy Week)
• May 1-3, Friday – Sunday (Labor Day)
• June 12-14, Friday – Sunday (Independence Day)
• August 21-23, Friday – Sunday (Ninoy Aquino Day)
• August 29-31, Saturday – Monday (National Heroes' Day)
• October 31-November 2, Saturday – Monday (All Saints’ Day)
• November 28-30, Saturday – Monday (Bonifacio Day)
• December 24-27, Thursday – Sunday (Christmas Eve)
• December 30, 2009-Jan 3, 2010, Wednesday to Sunday (New Year’s Eve/Rizal Day)

Happy Holidays!

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Department of Tourism. 'Plan early for long holidays,' DOT. (Posted January 20, 2009) Retrieved January 26, 2009 from
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/news/news2.asp?id=558

Manila Bulletin, Plan early for long holidays. (Posted January 21, 2009) Retrieved January 26, 2009 from
http://www.mb.com.ph/archive_pages.php?url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2009/01/21/TOUR20090121146068.html
Re-posted at Manila Bulletin Travel Mag
http://mbtravel.com.ph/2009/01/21/plan-early-for-long-holidays/#more-410
Re-posted at Positive News Media
http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Tourism_24/DOT_says_Plan_early_for_long_holidays.shtml

Malaya, Plan early for this year’s long holidays. (Posted January 28, 2009) Retrieved January 28, 2009 from
http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb02/trav2.htm