Let’s turn around the SARS scare

This is the most opportune time for the government and all those in the local hospitality industry to vigorously exert efforts to promote domestic travel and tourism.

As many Filipinos continue to postpone their travel abroad for leisure and even for business, due to the prevailing health apprehensions brought about by what seems to be shaping into an international epidemic – SARS, we should seize the opportunity to entice them to see their own country especially this summer.

The efforts of our Tourism Department, with Secretary Richard Gordon at the helm, to sell our tourist offerings through the "WOW Philippines" program are indeed laudable but may need to be reoriented more to the domestic market considering the adverse situation on hand.

With no meaning to offend Dick or his Undersecretary Rolly Reyes, my friend from the good old days of ABS-CBN, I think our local travelers and tourists, now more than ever, should be lured to attend all these promotional events that have been lined up.

I get to read some accounts of the "pakulos" in the newspapers but only after the affair. I suggest that other dynamic media like radio and television, through the PIA or the Philippine Information Agency, should be used extensively to promote these events. Instead of seeing some politicians utilizing this agency intended for information dissemination of government projects for their 2004 agenda, it might as well be used for a much worthier purpose.

As it looks the specter of SARS may linger for a while until medical experts come up with some proven cure and this may mean a continuing decline on our already wanting level of tourist arrivals. It is during situations like this when we get to realize the importance of a strong domestic tourism development program – something that many past government administrations, this one no exception, have failed to see through.

The Spirit is on its 7th year in the skies

It started in 1996, more like a cooperative composed of people from various interests and levels in life (businessmen, pilots, flight stewardesses, accountants, even a janitor), but all with a dream and vision and more importantly the dedication to serve. They began with just one aircraft transporting passengers to Boracay.

Seven years later, Asian Spirit now operates a fleet of 12 turbo-prop aircraft serving 22 destinations all over the country. It was also recently given a congressional franchise making it the fourth scheduled operator in the country joining three big airlines.

I was privileged to be invited to Asian Spirit’s 7th anniversary last April 4 at the Manila Yacht Club, which was also marked by the giving out of recognition awards to its outstanding Preferred Wholesaler Agents. As guests, dressed "retro" to the 60s and 70s, were having fun, I had the chance to chat with some of this remarkable airline’s bigwigs.

Antonio "Toti" Toralba Jr., Asian Spirit chairman was candid enough to say that his innate love for travel helped in inspiring him to pursue the vision of the airline. And being a traveler himself, he knows the needs of one, thus making the airline’s service attuned to that of a seasoned traveler’s.

I asked Asian Spirit president Captain Antonio Buendia, a retired pilot, about the airline’s secret for staying airborne despite servicing what the big carriers’ dread to have their planes on, the unprofitable "missionary" routes. He was quick to say, "It’s really no secret, as all we made sure to do was maintain a lean operation, low costs, no frills but without sacrificing service and most important of all safety."

The airline’s vibrant and very charming head of sales and marketing, Ms. Lingling Rodriguez was visibly passionate in her desire to see more Filipinos venture to see their beautiful native land first before the world, especially now that a lot of destinations have been added to Asian Spirit’s list of airport calls.

Asian Spirit’s low profile but dynamic executive vice president, Jack Po, the sportsman who has a passion for big bikes, was all fired up while discussing an idea on the airline’s corporate citizenship with its energetic and hands on PR man Allen Mojica, and this is, to make the populace aware about the trade, commerce and tourism aspects of all of the Asian Spirit’s destinations using television, specifically on our TV show Business & Leisure. The move would not only highlight what these places can offer by way of business and tourist sites but also promote domestic travel as a whole. Thus a cooperative venture between Asian Spirit and Sunshine Television Ventures to help the government promote local travel and tourism was born.

As evidenced by what I wrote earlier in this column, I welcome the project as I see its "timely" need and I look forward to working hand in hand with Asian Spirit in helping the government in making its citizenry aware of how beautiful this country really is.

Easter Sunday of fun at the Century Park

This Easter Sunday, kids and their parents are guaranteed by Century Park Hotel’s new general manager, Paul Gill, to have hilarious fun and great thrills at the hotel. And when children have fun, the parents will surely have much more enjoyment just watching them have a grand time.

Come Easter morning the hotel’s Grand Ballroom will virtually turn into a children’s haven as Century Park Hotel in cooperation with Buena Vista International, Disney Channel and Dream Broadcasting Corporation bring you the EASTER SAFARI PARTY.

Face painting, henna tattooing, fingernail designing, games, magic show, coloring sessions, clowns, mascots and a very unique kind of egg hunt what you and your kids can expect to have to complete a joyful and memorable Easter morning.

These loads of food and fun for the whole family would only cost P650 for adults and P450 for children (12 years old and below). And it doesn’t stop there, as ticket holders, aside from having all the fun at the hotel, are still entitled to free entrance to the Manila Zoo on Easter Sunday.

Now families who would rather stay in the metro and enjoy the lavish hotel life instead of venturing out to our traffic prone highways for the Holy Week can avail of Century Park Hotel’s Suite Experience. At a very special rate, a night’s stay at the very spacious Park Tower Suites comes with buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids. This special offer takes effect starting tomorrow, April 13 up to April 30 of this year.

I’m sure our good friends Steve Naguiat and Toti Palileo of the CPH PR department will happily have their hands full all through the day. Being newly married, take the opportunity to practice, Steve.

Interesting and informative viewing on NBN

Is the Rottweiler really a ferocious dog?

This you would get to know tonight on Business & Leisure (Channel 4 Manila and nationwide on the National Broadcasting Network) together with other interesting and informative features like an exclusive one-on-one interview with Securities & Exchange Commission Chairman Lilia Bautista regarding some of the issues that surrounded the Philippine Stock Exchange elections and the "leisure moments" of one of the busiest cabinet members, Secretary Mike Defensor. This week’s show, which shall emanate from the Astoria Plaza "all-suites" Hotel at the Ortigas Center, shall also spotlight the City of Jerash in Jordan on the weekly Ford "no boundaries" Travel Documentary. Don’t fail to watch.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

For comments: (e-mail) [email protected]