I can think of other ways to get more tourists but anyhow... Filipinos working overseas are being encouraged to help boost the number of foreigners visiting the Philippines The “Bring Home a Friend” program offers more than ten million Filipinos working outside the Philippines the chance to win valuable prizes and is designed to help the government meet its ambitious target of 7.4 million visitor arrivals for 2018. In 2017 arrivals numbered 6.6 million. The prizes range from gift certificates worth almost US$4000 to a condominium worth over US$135,000. The Philippines lags behind its Southeast Asia neighbours in tourist arrivals, a situation which has been blamed on lack of promotion, poor infrastructure and safety concerns particularly in the south of the country. The most recent data available shows that in 2016 the Philippines had six million tourist arrivals compared with 26.8 million for Malaysia and 32.6 million for Thailand. This accounted for 8.6% of the Philippines’ GDP. Revenue from tourism in 2018 is projected to reach more than nine billion US dollars. http://indonesiaexpat.biz/news/philippines-government-wants-overseas-workers-bring-home-friend/
I reckon they would only bring unmarried friends, in the hope of marrying off one of their sisters to the unwary....
I'm not so sure on the percentage of extra revenue the scheme will bring but certainly OFW's "friends" should be told the advantages as well as the pitfalls. The highlight of any visit for me is the chance to visit a new island. I'm not into overun commercialism on some islands rather the simplistic beauty of a place. You can't beat PI for that. In comparison the UK GDP from tourism is around 9% so I guess any mechanism to get the PI up on their current 8.6% GDP would be a bonus. It's a tough sell in some respects and I doubt that will be overcome anytime in the near future.
like the way the UK encourages visitors from the Philippines. it must be difficult dragging a suitcase through the eye of a needle.
Great photos Mattecube, and somewhere I've never been or heard about before .Looks really nice .Ive been to Kalanggaman , it's a beautiful sandbank for a day trip , but nothing there to spend longer . I love beach photos , I wish I knew how to post some .
First group isMasamirey cove Sual well off beaten track 2nd group Hundred islands 3rd group Bolinio Beach All in Pangasian district all new to me and wife and kids never been there. Also did Baguio, Tarlec and a couple more.
