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The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc. is an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. Founded on 12 June 1986, non-stock and non-profit organization. The membership includes travel agencies, hotels, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and association.
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LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), in partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Daraga, have distributed relief goods to families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami)
MANILA, Philippines — For the second straight year, a global travel index has recognized the Philippines as an “Emerging Muslim-friendly destination” among nonmembers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Saturday.
Based on the 2024 results of the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index—an annual report benchmarking destinations in the Muslim travel market—the Philippines managed to develop initiatives such as including halal food and integrating Muslim-friendly amenities at major tourist spots in the country.
BAGUIO CITY — Commercial flights of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) from Baguio to Cebu and vice versa are set to end on July 1, 2024.
The flag carrier recently announced the halt of the route because of poor passenger traffic.
This means that people of Cebu who like to have the Baguio experience or have business activities in the city will have to travel by sea and land. Likewise, people of Baguio and nearby places in Luzon will also go through the same process.
The average travel time via airplane from Cebu to Baguio and vice versa is one hour and 45 minutes. On the other hand, the travel time time from Cebu to Manila is around 21 hours via land via Maharlika Highway while it takes one hour and 30 minutes.
Travel time via land from Manila to Baguio is around four to five hours.
The flag carrier opened its commercial flights Baguio-Cebu and vice versa in December 2022.
PAL, however, assured the passengers of the cancelled flights of Baguio-Cebu-Baguio will be provided the necessary assistance and refunds.
MANILA – Following consistent flight demand to and from Singapore via the Clark International Airport (CRK), low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) has increased operations between the two, from thrice weekly to daily.
“The Clark-Singapore route is one of the routes that we launched when CEB restarted its Clark hub in April 2023. Although flight frequencies change depending on the demand and aircraft availability, the Clark-Singapore flight continues to operate due to consistent demand among travelers from this station and its surrounding areas,” CEB Communications Specialist Roxanne Gochuico told the Philippine News Agency Friday.
CEB’s daily flights to Singapore started June 1.
“As more people travel to Singapore, CRK and CEB are happy to provide even more convenient and hassle-free ways to reach the Garden City,” Noel Manankil, manager of CRK operator Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp., said.
Meanwhile, CEB recently renewed partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) not only to provide accessible and affordable flights, but also to further enhance Singapore’s tourism industry by attracting more visitors from the Philippines, fostering cultural exchange and promoting economic growth.
According to CEB, the Philippines was Singapore’s sixth largest tourism market in 2023, with almost 700,000 tourist arrivals.
“Our renewed partnership with STB aims to enhance the appeal for travel to Singapore, focusing now on the country’s array of vibrant events,” Gochuico said.
The carrier also introduced new ambassadors for the initiative and the partnership is set to feature Singapore’s innovative architecture and cultural heritage.
Aside from Clark, the Gokongwei-owned airline also offers thrice daily flights between Manila and Singapore, and daily flights via Cebu. (PNA)
AirAsia X will connect travellers from Malaysia to Nairobi in Kenya’s capital from November 15 this year, following the airline’s introduction of new flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan.
The airline will also offer a seamless Fly-Thru connection, creating a link between Kenya and 130 destinations across South-east Asia, Northern and Central Asia, and Australia.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) marked the resumption of its Clark to Basco route on July 2, 2024, in a ceremony at the Clark International Airport. The reinstated service aims to strengthen tourism and provide more travel options for Filipinos.
The four-times-weekly flights operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, aboard the 86-seat De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 Next Generation.
2P-2688 departs Clark at 11:00 AM, arriving in Basco at 12:35 PM. The return flight, 2P-2689, leaves Basco at 1:00 PM and lands in Clark at 2:35 PM.
The direct service to Basco complements PAL’s existing daily flights between Manila and the island province. Clark International Airport also serves as a hub for PAL’s other domestic destinations, including Cebu, Boracay (Caticlan), and Coron (Busuanga).
Richard Daenos, Department of Tourism Region 3 Director, highlighted the significance of the route, stating, “The flight represents the culmination of meticulous planning, coordination, and dedication, a testament of our commitment to enhance connectivity and to foster new opportunities for commerce, tourism, and cultural exchanges.”
Noel Manankil, President and CEO of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD), expressed enthusiasm about the route’s potential impact. “We are thrilled to once again connect Clark to the breathtaking beauty of Batanes. This flight not only opens up opportunities to explore this unique destination but also strengthens our commitment towards convenient travel options for all,” Manankil said.
PAL Express President Rabbi Vincent Ang emphasized the strategic importance of Clark as a hub. “It gives us great pride to meet the demand for flights out of Central Luzon, a strategic gateway to Northern, Central and Southern Philippines,” Ang noted.
The inaugural flight was celebrated with a water salute as the aircraft departed from Clark Airport, symbolizing the route’s official reopening and the potential for future growth in air travel options from Clark International Airport.
PHILTOA EXPANDS ITS REACH THROUGH REGIONAL AFFILIATION PARTNERSHIPS
Connecting Regions. Empowering Communities. Advancing Philippine Tourism.
For nearly four decades, the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) has remained steadfast in its mandate to promote, develop, and professionalize the Philippine tourism industry by strengthening tour operations, developing tourism products, advocating industry concerns, providing continuing education, and fostering meaningful collaboration between the government and the private sector.
As part of this continuing commitment, PHILTOA officially launched its Regional Affiliation Program, bringing together regional tourism organizations under one collaborative network to advance tourism development across the Philippines.
PHILTOA recently held its inaugural meeting with SOX Tours 12, led by PHILTOA President Maria Lourdes Japson together with Treasurer Erlinda Tan, and SOX Tours 12 President Francis Sablon, where both organizations discussed priority programs, strategic collaborations, and initiatives that will strengthen the tourism industry in Region XII and beyond.
The meeting also marked the formal induction of SOX Tours 12 as PHILTOA’s official Regional Affiliate for Region XII, signifying a shared commitment to champion tourism development through partnership, innovation, capacity building, and industry excellence.
Through this collaboration, PHILTOA and SOX Tours 12 will work together to:
✅ Strengthen tourism enterprises and tour operators through capacity-building and professional development.
✅ Develop, package, and promote emerging destinations and tourism products.
✅ Foster stronger collaboration between local stakeholders and the national tourism industry.
✅ Generate more business, investment, and marketing opportunities for members.
✅ Support responsible, sustainable, and inclusive tourism initiatives.
✅ Serve as a unified voice in advancing policies and programs that benefit the tourism sector.
This milestone marks the beginning of a nationwide initiative to establish regional affiliation partners across the Philippines, creating a stronger network that empowers local tourism stakeholders while advancing a unified vision for Philippine tourism.
Together, we connect regions, strengthen partnerships, and build a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable tourism industry for the Philippines.
PHILTOA × SOX Tours 12
One Vision. One Network. One Stronger Philippine Tourism Industry.
#PHILTOA #SOXTours12 #RegionalAffiliationProgram #TourismDevelopment #TourismCollaboration #CapacityBuilding #DestinationDevelopment #LoveThePhilippines #StrongerTogether #PhilippineTourism
Where Tourism Meets Compassion: PHILTOA in Action
Tourism is Everybody’s Business—and every community is part of tourism.
As part of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Legs of PHILTOA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Mission, PHILTOA continued its commitment to reaching communities affected by the landslides, earthquake, and flash floods in Mindanao through a Food Relief Mission held on July 3, 2026.
In collaboration with the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (SCCCIFI) and SOXTOURS12, relief assistance was delivered to:
📍 Barangay Katubao, Sitio Kitagas – 90 beneficiaries
📍 Barangay Luma, Sitio Tubak (Tboli Hinterland) – 60 beneficiaries
📍 Alabel, Sarangani – Donations formally received by Mayor Lilibeth Salarda, including 120 rice packs (5 kg each).
In addition, SCCCIFI and PHILTOA distributed 150 complete food relief packs to families in need, bringing not only essential supplies but also hope and reassurance that they are not alone in their journey toward recovery.
At PHILTOA, we believe that tourism is everybody’s business because every destination begins with its people. The communities we serve are our tourism partners, cultural ambassadors, and the very heart of the visitor experience. By helping communities recover from disasters, we help safeguard livelihoods, preserve destinations, and strengthen the future of Philippine tourism.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our members, partners, volunteers, donors, and collaborating organizations whose generosity and unwavering support made this mission possible.
Where tourism meets compassion, communities rise. Together, we build a stronger, more resilient Philippines—one community at a time.
#PHILTOACares #WhereTourismMeetsCompassion #TourismIsEverybodysBusiness #TourismWithPurpose #CSRinAction #Bayanihan #MindanaoStrong #CommunityFirst #TogetherWeRecover #PHILTOA
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SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental – For decades, Misamis Occidental remained largely outside the country’s mainstream tourism conversation, overshadowed by Mindanao’s established tourism destinations and household names.
Today, the province is on an ambitious and aggressive push to make its tourism industry capable of competing on the national stage. Backed by major public investments, aggressive destination development, and expanding private-sector partnerships, Misamis Occidental is positioning itself as one of Mindanao’s next tourism growth areas —an effort that drew around 30 members of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) for a three-day familiarization tour this week.
The visit sought to answer a straightforward but consequential question: Is Misamis Occidental ready to become one of Mindanao’s next major tourism destinations?
After traveling across mountains, coastlines, heritage towns, and emerging tourism estates, participants repeatedly arrived at one conclusion that Misamis Occidental may no longer be an emerging destination. It may simply be one that the broader tourism market has yet to discover.
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