DESTINATION -Tourist arrivals in the top sixteen destination go by 16.5 percent, reaching almost 4 million in the first semester of 2009.

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DESTINATION -Tourist arrivals in the top sixteen destination go by 16.5 percent, reaching almost 4 million in the first semester of 2009.

Department of Tourism (DOT) efforts to maximize opportunities in the international market and encourage greater domestic travel movements in the first six months to give impetus to sustain the growth of tourism in the midst of the challenges brought by global financial crisis and Influenza A (H1N1).

This is a great achievement that is associated with the increase in domestic tourism 20 oercent in the second quarter of 2009, enhanced business and investment confidence in the sector during the period January to June 2009. Similarly, changes in lifestyle and travel patterns are more Filipinos and Philippine residents to spend their Holy Week, long weekends, and summer / holiday vacation tours in various areas of the country to encourage flow of tourists. Coming out of the main goal also increased 6 percent in one and a half years, despite a decrease of 6 per cent in inbound visitors to the East Asia and the Pacific.

First and Second Quarter Tourist Volume: 2009 and 2008

Camarines Sur posted a growth of large and strong in both foreign and domestic arrivals by 52 percent and 260 percent, respectively, ranking it as the destination most visited frequently during the first semester with 902,202 tourists. Provincial Government of Camarines Sur Wakeboarding investment in tourism product while encouraging visitors to continue to support the volume of demand for accommodation, services, tourism, and transportation.

Yang arus wisatawan di Camarines Sur juga difasilitasi ekspansi infrastruktur dan pengembangan pariwisata yang berhubungan dengan produk. The success of this Local Government Unit (LGU) initiatives serve as models for other LGUs to harness their potential for tourism and to optimize local resources to create more economic activity.

Cebu is the second most-visited tourist destination with 830,599 visitors, who claimed 23 percent of the total stock arrival. Cebu continues to be the top destination for foreign tourists with 321,116 in the first semester. Expanding access to the location of the air travel market, including a new charter flight from Incheon, Busan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kaohsiung, and the increase in the supply room, aggressive promotions, and public and private sector partnership for tourism product diversification is contributing to the increase in volume visitors to Cebu.

Visitor count in Bohol and Puerto Princesa go by 63 percent and 16 percent, respectively, such as diving, ecotourism, bird, adventure, tourism and incentive product that was launched jointly by DOT, LGUs, and private sector. Increased demand also ushered the concept of a more community-based tourism products that increase the availability of the product offering and livelihoods for local residents.

The other most frequently visited destinations including Boracay (383,813), Davao City (330,247); Puerto Galera (215,755), and Ilocos Norte with 99,747 tourist arrivals.

Increasing Tourist Products

Increased demand encouraged more entrepreneurs to create new products and experiences for visitors.

On the island of Cebu in Bancà Cruises has been interest-organized with the different packages and island-hopping tour of the marine sanctuaries of Nalusuan and Gilutungan, Pandanon from the pure white beaches, dive sites and the Moalboal.

Kultura Philippines in Intramuros give tourists the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Philippine cultural heritage through local dance, music, and delicious. This product also serves as the highlight of the new tour program to the city Manila.

Similarly, the Pasig River Cruise has been lured back tourists to visit and appreciate the many scenic attractions and Metro Manila. More than a river cruise, the product provides the interaction of culture, a culinary treat, a tour history, and entertainment.

With the increasing popularity of tourism to adventure, spelunking in the cave Sohoton in Basey, Samar offered visitors the unusual experience to commune with nature, explore the wonders of the region, and promote cultural exchange. Likewise, the power along the River of Golden Basey provided a glimpse of rural life and society in the middle of the picture is clear and waterways, surrounded by greenery.

Motivation that deviate from the government in the city of Danao Bohol bring a new dimension to the adventure tourism and create employment for local people. Known as the ecology, environment, education and Adventure Tour (Eat) Danao, this product offers and extreme challenges with exhilarating plunge 200 meters, 1-km suislide, caving, river tubing, Monorail Station, kayaking, and roots increased.

Similarly, opening a park called Fantasyland at the Zamboanga del Norte has encouraged the arrival of tourists in the destination. Entertainment facilities are equipped with interactive rides, shows, and activities for domestic and foreign guests. A 360-room hotel will also be built in the garden.

Gauging interest from foreign and domestic visitors to participate in the environmental, heritage, and projects in livelihoods, the Hands-On Volunteer Holiday Tour Package was launched in Oriental Mindoro, Bohol, Boracay Island, Aklan, Laguna, and Batangas.

Trekking, bird, and ecotourism products in the Mt. Apo rich with adventure, camping, cultural interaction and activities that have taken more tourists during summer months.

The 3rd Philippine International Tourism Fair (PITF) in Cebu gave LGUs and private sector employers to this place, the new features and innovative tourism products to foreign buyers from the Middle East, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Japan, North America, and Canada. Travel agent from abroad also availed of this latest tour.

European largest long-haul travel group, Meier's Weltreisen, and the Far East has been living in Boracay and Manila seminar, participated by 265-member staff and an experienced agent is a new and diverse tourism product, destination, and facilities.

Similarly, over 110 tourism wholesalers from Switzerland visited Boracay, Banaue, Bohol, Cebu, El Nido and to find different products in the destination. Intensive awareness is available to market tourism products Europe.

Encourages Dive Tourism

Based on a survey conducted by TNS in the first semester of 2009, the volume of tourists diving in Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, and grew by 62.8 percent. Germany posted a dive of increased 131.9 percent, while Korean tourists to go diving by 104 percent, the United States (37 percent), Japan (34 percent) and China (31 percent).

Overall gross revenues from dive tourism destination in the words posted increased 52.8 percent to P 31 million vis-à-vis P 20.2 million in the first half of 2008. Substantial 82 percent growth recorded during the first quarter in 2009. Income generated by a dive operator in Bohol surged by 195 percent while in Cebu rose 69 percent.

At 17. Marine Diving Fair in Tokyo, the DOT Pavilion attracted more than 20,000 visitors and garnered the award for Best Diving Area, Most desirable Goals, Best Dive Resort, Dive and Favorite Plans for participating countries and dive operators.

DOT is also interesting to continue diving tourists in the annual participation in the Golden Dolphin Festival in Moscow, which attracts more than 23,000 visitors from all regions in Russia and abroad.

Growth for the consolidation of the Second Half 2009

As tourism facilities and products continues to grow, a larger DOT anticipates growth in tourist arrivals to the primary goal at the end of 2009. Flower that grows in between the LGUs and the private sector to offer an innovative tourism experience for visitors will greatly increase the quality of the tourism product of Indonesia.

DOT foresees that the increase of investment in accommodation and transportation, and development facilities and a new destination, will sustain the growth of tourism sector and the position of Indonesia to the level of growth spurts as the international market recover from the economic downturn globally.