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MANILA, Philippines—Tourist arrivals from Australia increased during the first half of the year, with local tourism officials attributing the growth to the Philippine’s proximity to the continent.
Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said on Tuesday the number of tourists from Australia grew by 11.8 percent from January to July 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
Durano said the “multiplicity of the country’s tourism attractions, its English-speaking people and proximity,” placed the Philippines at an advantage over other Asian countries.
“Our specialized tourism adventures are just seven and a half hours away from Sydney and Melbourne, and a mere four hours away from Darwin,” Durano said.
The tourism secretary said the country has been touted in Australia as “the place with endless possibilities.”
“Australian tourists have a wide variety from popular options such as diving in majestic waters of Palawan, wild eco-adventure in forests of Bohol, whale-watching in Sorsogon, trekking the jungles of Guimaras, caving in Sagada, golf in Baguio, night-life socializing in hotels of Cebu, and spa hopping and shopping in cosmopolitan districts of Manila,” Durano said.
He added that other unconventional exploits popular among Australians included culinary tours in home-style restaurants of Pampanga, rustic retreats in the hills of Banawe, heritage exploration in Vigan, wakeboarding in Camarines Sur and bird-watching in the mountains of Bataan.
