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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Quenching Wanderlust in 2016: The Story of Travel in the Philippines

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We live in the age of wanderlust. Today, traveling from one place to another is no longer an indulgence but has turned into an excursion that Filipinos can do on a weekly basis. There used to be a time when traveling was exclusive for the elite but as seen in the trend last year, it is now considered to be the Filipino’s favorite pastime. Whether scurrying to travel the best sights of the world or simply traveling on road trip to a nearby destination, Filipinos are now hungrier than ever to see the world. 

Because of this, there is a shift in the priorities of Filipinos, instead of simply investing all of their money in the tangibles of life, Filipinos are more aware of the joy brought about by experiences. Today’s generation firmly believes in securing the future but they are also very much aware of the here and now. Because of this, they are able to place greater emphasis in experiencing life and simply going for it. Travel is no longer planned out months before but can be done spontaneously.

And this affects the nation positively because today, the country is filled with citizens who are curious. No longer confined by the four walls of the country, more and more Filipinos are encouraged to look beyond what they have grown up in in order to develop a stronger sense of self. This is reflected in the way they view the country and how it can improve. This kind of mindset has shifted an entire generation making them more aware of what’s happening in the country in an effort to match what is being done elsewhere. 

Even the Department of Tourism (DOT) has seen the steady spike in what they believe is a national craze. DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez is quick to say that the number of Filipinos that has traveled within the country alone has grown steadily in the past year. What’s even more exciting is the fact that Filipinos are taking greater interest in exploring the different parts of the country. Included in their bucket list is not just the many different sights of the world but also to the many previously unchartered destinations in the country. The interest is not only growing the Filipinos as individuals but also fueling the country as a whole.

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The Essence of Travel

Without a doubt, social media has fueled the fire for Filipinos to travel.  Through social media, Filipinos are given more information about traveling that was previously not available to them. Numerous information can now be found with a click of a mouse and the easy access to this entire catalogue of information has inspired Filipinos to stop thinking about trips and just go for it.

Articles shared on Facebook, how-tos posted on different news agencies, and picturesque photos found on Instagram have inspired a generation to just get up and leave. Traveling is more than just booking a flight and a hotel; it has been associated with experience. The link to social media and how quickly one can share information is also associated with the excitement.

Filipinos also want to get out of the city. Their day jobs consume their weekdays which is why long weekends are savored by packing their bags and going to the. Filipinos no longer plan ahead; they simply     pick a destination and go for it without thinking twice. Gone were the days of prestigious travel, today, travelers are more concerned with what they experience and gain from traveling rather than the luxurious side of it.   

The increase in spending power due to a stable economy also adds to the heightened desire to “see the world” that would eventually enhance who they are and their sense of it.

Why Filipinos Travel

In the past year alone over 47 million Filipinos traveled across the country. This is a 2 million jump from the 45 million who traveled in 2013. For quite some time now, Filipinos have always associated the word travel with seeing different parts of the world without realizing the beauty found in their own country.

The interest of foreign news outlets, celebrities, and bloggers in the country and visiting the best beaches has propelled the Filipino people to do the same. 

Our strikingly beautiful beaches, which has been reviewed in different foreign news outlets has also been a source of inspiration for Filipinos to see what other nationalities are seeing in our country. 

According to DOT’s Jimenez, traveling is no longer reserved for a very few but has become a growing industry that is easily becoming a pillar for the booming economy.

Added data provided by the United Nation World Tourism Organization or the UNWTO specified Filipino as part of the world’s top travel spenders.

And this is because traveling has become a way of life for most Filipinos. More than it being a luxury, once-a-year expenditure, it has already become something to do on a monthly, sometimes even a weekly basis.

For Filipinos, traveling is exciting and new. What used to be out of reach is now easily accessible and what used to be seen as a luxury is now easily attainable. The widespread of packages and cheaper airfare is also one of the main reasons why Filipinos travel.

Fueling the Local Economy

A large part of the bolstering local economy can be attributed to the growth in the Filipino’s interest to travel locally. More and more Filipinos are traveling to the best parts of the country while 

In late 2014 alone, the tourism industry contributed over P1.4 trillion to the local economy as studied by the World Travel and Tourism Council or the WTTC. Their 2015 report stated that the total contribution of the sector is expected to increase even more in the next twenty years.

A large part of this number can be reflected in the fueling of many local economies. Since more and more people are traveling in the different parts of the country, more jobs are made and better opportunities are given. The latest trend in traveling among the young ones is finding spots that aren’t infiltrated by tourists yet. And this helps the country as a whole because now spending is no longer concentrated in Metro Manila but rather distributed almost evenly among the different places in the country.

Gaining traction in recent years aside from the favorites Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, and Baguio is Zambales, Batanes, Bukidnon, and Batanes. In fact, it is through the advent of social media that these places were discovered and fully enjoyed.

The investment of travel in the country has also fueled foreign investments. These investments can be seen in property growth in the travel industry bringing in more resorts, hotels, and similar endeavors. 

Also more and more foreigners are also bringing in more business for the country by choosing to travel to the Philippines. Upon the discovery of the many beautiful sights in the country, foreigners make the Philippines their top destination.

The Convenience of Traveling

In today’s day and age of social media and technology, just about everyone can access websites that provide cheaper packages in the most convenient ways.

Instagram accounts such as Access Travel PH and Destination Getaways are easily accessed by millennials and packages that include airfare, accommodations, and even fun tours that are very different from what one has been accustomed to.

More than fancy hotels, these small travel agencies bank on experiences. More than booking you a first class ticket, they rely on the differences in your experiences. The typical traveler does so to experience life and not simply be in a hotel room. This is the reason why more and more people are opting for these “experience” packages in order to fully make the most of their trips. These packages define what the generation is looking for: fun and adventure. Instead of just shopping and being in a hotel, they crave experiences that are unique and one that they can share with friends. The more unique the places and experiences, the more attractive it can be. 

Aside from this, seat sales, piso fares, and even travel expos (which are always filled to the rafters) are also extremely popular in the country. Just in the first week of February 2016 alone, Manila opened its doors to the first travel expo and people from all over the country flocked to the three-day event. This is a clear sign of the common Filipino’s priority: to relax and see much of the world as they can. 

Affordable airfares as offered above is also one of the reasons why it has become easier to simply pack your bags and go. This is good news for the country because as spending power increases, more of it is given back to the country through travel and excursions.

Truly, traveling is now embedded in the Filipino lifestyle. Traveling is a lifestyle and will continue to be so in the years to come.

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