MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2013) – The Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen Anota welcomed Condé Nast Traveller’s – a leading luxury travel magazine published by London-based Condé Nast Publications Ltd. -inclusion of the Philippines among the top 10 destinations to watch in 2013.
“The inclusion of the Philippines among the top 10 destinations for 2013 is indeed welcome news. We encourage our friends from Australia and other nationalities to visit our country as it is truly more fun in the Philippines,” Anota said, citing the Philippines tourism slogan.
The magazine’s January 2013 online edition listed the Philippines among the top 10 destinations for 2013, along with Brazil, Amsterdam, The Congo, the Galapagos Islands, Kashmir, the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, New Zealand, Panama and Oman.
The CNT write-up on the Philippines states that “the Philippines has around 7,000 of the most heavenly islands in the world.”
Citing Bicol (region in Luzon) and Siargao (Island in Surigai del Norte province in Mindanao), the magazine reports that the Philippines is “becoming particularly popular among serious divers, who come for the incredible underwater life, unspoiled coral gardens with rainbow-bright fish, green sea turtles and dugongs.”
Other recommended places to visit include Bacuit Bay and other resorts in Palawan province, Pamalican Island and the capital, Manila.
The Department of Tourism recorded 3,830,723 visitor arrivals to the Philippines for the period January to November 2012 – an 8.73% increase compared to the previous year’s volume of 3,522,887 for the same period. A total of 163,270 Australians visited the Philippines for the same months in 2012.
The Bureau of Immigration also reported that many foreign tourists who visited the country in 2012 opted to stay longer or beyond their visa validity. From January to December 2012, the Bureau’s extension office processed and approved 172,055 applications for extension, 13% higher than the extensions granted in the previous year.
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