Bangkok Airways and Philippine Airlines partnership

BANGKOK Airways and Philippine Airlines (PAL) are all set to embark on a partnership to expand convenient connections for passengers traveling between Philippines and Thailand. This will enable Bangkok Airways’ passengers to travel on Philippine Airlines’ flight between Bangkok and Manila while PAL passengers flying from Manila will be able to connect seamlessly on Bangkok Airways’ flights to Chiang Mai, via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Passengers on these codeshare flights will be checked-in all the way to their final destination. Plans are underway to expand this partnership further to include other destinations in Thailand which are gateways to the most popular Thai beaches, resorts and other breathtaking cultural and natural attractions.

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Palawan and Cebu raise national pride

TWO Philippine islands set off a barrage of national pride as they have recently been named world’s best islands for 2018 by a New York-based international magazine The Philippines’ largest carrier Cebu Pacific is beaming with pride along with millions of Filipinos across the world as two of the Philippines’ finest islands, namely Palawan and Cebu, have placed in the list of New York-based international magazine Travel + Leisure’s “15 Best Islands in the World” for 2018.

Both international and local tourists can take advantage of budget-friendly, safe and the widest network of convenient flights that Cebu Pacific offers to catch a glimpse of the #Philippines awe-inspiring destinations. 

Palawan and Cebu are favorites among award-winning international travel magazines including Condé Nast Traveler. Home of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the new seven wonders of nature, Palawan has clinched Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for consecutive years. Meanwhile, the magazine also touted Cebu for the richness of its surrounding waters and islands, describing it as a “more personal, with plenty of up-and-coming restaurants and shopping”.

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Picture Credit: By Charima312017 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68808272

Dive, dive, dive

FEATURING dive destinations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and the Maldives ZuBlu provides an easy-to-use platform allowing guests to discover new and exciting #dive destinations in #Asia. The website marries a powerful search tool with an exciting range of dive destinations, eco-friendly resorts and conservation experiences, putting the power of discovery and choice into the hands of ZuBlu’s guests.

ZuBlu ensures conservation and sustainability are at the heart of its business. Each resort listing displays an ‘at-a-glance’ summary of sustainable practices, as well as information about conservation activities. And as part of its commitment to the environment, ZuBlu donates a percentage of revenue to local conservation organisations.


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Score a break from the madness

ARE you among those who would rather catch the flu than watch a game of football? No need to go to such drastic measures come June 14 when the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia. Agoda has some suggestions on where to escape the football madness.

Head to the South Pacific island of Palau where abundant marine life, volcanos and epic waterfalls are the main attractions. Palau also wins bonus points for not having national football team. Check out the Palau Royal Resort for beach views and vibes.

You'll likely meet more surfing fiends than football fans in Baler, also known as the 'birthplace of surfing in the Philippines'. Home to sandy beaches and epic waves, plus scenic winding mountain roads and hiking excursions, this island won't get a 'red card' from you. Bright and breezy Costa Pacifica Resort on Sabang Beach is the ideal base camp.

The North West Cape in Western Australia is home to the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef, where you'll encounter exotic wildlife that don't care about 'games of two halves'. Sal Salis, an exclusive safari camp surrounded by only bush and beach, makes an ideal base camp for exploring the area.

Renowned for its cricket, rather than football, enjoy the gentle pace and laidback streets of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There'll be no penalties for shopping on this trip. Fort Square Boutique Villa, which is conveniently located in Galle's city center, is worth a visit.

Your own private island - Pangkor Laut Resort is made up of 140 villas and 8 estates on privately-owned 300-acre island, offering complete privacy amidst gorgeous ocean views.

For a truly 'off the grid' experience, head to the Raja Ampat, where the lack of internet and Wi-Fi mean you will easily lose track what day it is, let alone whether the football is still on. At the Waiwo Dive Resort, you can kick back and relax with massages and yoga classes.


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Seven reasons why the Philippines is the dream travel destination

EXPERIENCE the Philippines - the #Philippines is a one-stop #destination with something for everyone from the adrenaline seeker to the culture vulture. Get ready to check off a series of items from your bucket list with these unique wallet-frindly experiences:

1. Sky Cycle in Davao  - Try sky cycling 60 feet high in the air for the most exhilarating ride of your life. 

2. Take a dive in Moalboal, Cebu  - A sardine run in Moalboal, Cebu Whether it is swimming with whale sharks, doing a sardine run, or canyoneering in Badian to view the most magnificent waterfalls, Moalboal offers it all. 

3. Marvel at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol Island  - The rolling landscape includes 1,776 hills the sight of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol Island will leave you gasping at the beauty of Mother Nature. Aptly named Chocolate Hills, the green grass turns brown during the dry season. This beautiful attraction stretches across more than 50 square kilometres.

4. Immerse yourself in Iloilo’s Culture - Experience Iloilo, a city rich in Filipino culture Iloilo, also known as the City of Love, is a culturally rich province in the Visayas, and is one place that should definitely be on your itinerary. 

5. Take a dip in Lake Pinatubo - Sit back, relax, and enjoy beautiful Mount Pinatubo and its crystalline blue lake If climbing an actual mountain is not your thing, trek to the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo to take a relaxing dip amidst clear, blue waters.

6. Surf in Siargao Island - Ride some world-class waves right here on Siargao Island For the uninitiated, Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines. With over 15 different surf breaks around the island, there are spots for everyone, from first-timers to seasoned surfers. Adrenaline junkies should definitely check out Cloud 9, where waves ranked amongst the world’s top ten come in from the Pacific Ocean. 

7. Get lost the ‘last frontier’ - Coron, Palawan is a sight to behold located in the northernmost tip of the Palawan archipelago, Coron is blessed with lush forests, pristine beaches and colourful marine life. Swim in the warm waters of one of the cleanest lakes in the region—Kayangan Lake, and marvel at the limestone rock formations under water; or check out World War II shipwrecks—some of which are accessible even to snorkelers.

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Up in the air . . .

IT is tradition for Overseas Filipinos to bring food or gifts, known as ‘pasalubongs’, from their destinations to their families and friends back home. Many Filipinos ship a ‘balikabayan’ box filled with gifts several days ahead of special occasions or ahead of their travel to the Philippines and wait for 30 to 60 days for the box to arrive.

Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), once again offers 25 kilograms of additional free baggage allowance to UAE residents travelling from Dubai to Manila. Starting March 1 until Nov 30, 2018, all passengers originating from Dubai travelling to Manila with pre-purchased baggage allowance of 40 kilograms will be receiving additional 25 kilograms baggage allowance, free-of-charge at check in.

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Hotel Openings

THE first Grand Hyatt hotel in the Philippines has opened . The Grand Hyatt Manila hotel tops the tallest skyscraper in the Philippines at 1,043 feet, offering breathtaking and unobstructed panoramic views of the Makati skyline and Manila Bay.

Located at the crossroads of the financial, commercial and entertainment districts of Taguig, Bonifacio Global City, the hotel offers superior service, first-class accommodations and an abundance of options within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture and innovative design.

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Discovery Shores ends 2017 on a high

DISCOVERY Shores, a luxury beach resort in the island of Boracay, sealed 2017 with several notable international recognitions. This top destination received a total of 10 prestigious awards, including two from the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards. This makes the property’s 10th anniversary celebration truly a memorable one.

The five-star hotel was named Country Winner in the Luxury Wedding Destination and Luxury Family Resort categories. Frances Maniquis, Director of Marketing Communications of Discovery Shores Boracay, received two awards during the awarding ceremony held at the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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Cebu Pacific invests in facilities for Persons with Reduced Mobility

THE Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), is set to roll-out Disabled Passenger Lifts (DPLs) in key airports in the Philippines. The DPLs which would allow Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRMs) an easier and more comfortable boarding experience on Cebu Pacific flights.

CEB is the first airline to invest in its own DPLs, in line with its thrust to improve passenger experience. The use of the DPL is free of charge for Cebu Pacific passengers with reduced mobility. Aside from Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), these include pregnant and elderly passengers who may have difficulty climbing stairs to board their flights.

In 2016 alone, over 43,000 passengers availed of wheelchair assistance from the check-in counter. Of this number, more than 14,000 were wheeled from the check-in counter and carried to their seats in the aircraft.

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Top travel destinations for gin lovers

IT seems as though the UK has gone gin crazy at the moment! Our city centers aren't quite like the famous 'Gin Lane' painting by William Hogarth from 1751 but it is defiantly the UK's top trending drink statistics show UK gin sales have grown by up to 40% in the last 5 years! SkyParkSecure has put together their list of top travel destinations for gin lovers.

London

Gin wasn’t invented in London but few would deny it found a ‘spiritual home’ there during the infamous ‘Gin Craze’ of the seventeenth century.

Today the legacy of this proud history can be found all over London, not least at the Beefeater Distillery, which is located just a short walk over the bridge from Westminster Abbey. Gin enthusiasts are welcome to visit for an hour-long distillery tour most weekdays, and best of all a refreshing Gin and Tonic is included in the £12 entrance fee.

Scotland

It’s a little known fact that over 70% of the gin enjoyed by Brits is distilled in Scotland. In fact the tradition of Scottish gin production runs very deeply indeed, due in no small part to the juniper bushes which are common across the Highlands. Juniper berries are – of course – an essential ingredient of gin, and the Scottish variety is known for its distinctive rich and mellow flavour. 

If you want to take in as many of Scotland’s gin-based delights as possible, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has helpfully mapped out the Scottish Gin Trail. Stretching from Edinburgh all the way up to Caithness, the trail takes in all of Scotland’s best gin distilleries and bars. Only got time for a flying visit?

Specialist tour company Gin Journey organise regular events in Edinburgh, during which you can enjoy chauffeur-driven transport between the cities premier gin-themed hot-spots.

Spain

Spain is the second largest gin market in the world, principally due to the phenomenal popularity of ‘Gin-Tonic’, the Spanish take on the familiar Gin and Tonic which is served in a balloon glass with plenty of ice and garnish. So a trip to Spain is a great choice if you’re trying to decide where to travel to if you love gin.

You can enjoy gin in any Spanish city, but if you have to choose one head for Barcelona, where you’ll find a vibrant gin bar scene to rival any in the world, including the Old Fashioned Gin Tonic & Cocktail Bar, Bobby Gin, and Xixbar to name but a few. Head just out of the city to the fishing village of Vilanova and you can pay a visit to the Gin Mare distillery, where the Ribot family has been producing Spain’s most famous home-grown gin since the 1940s.

Amsterdam

Experience the delights of ‘Genever’, the more complex juniper-based spirit forerunner of gin which the Dutch have been enjoying since the middle ages.

An altogether maltier proposition than modern Gin, Genever often has a light, honey-like colour. While the taste of Juniper still dominates, Genever also boasts smooth, creamy flavours. It is equally enjoyable straight, with a mixer, or when used to add a new dimension to classic cocktails. Head to Amsterdam’s House of Bols Cocktail and Genever Experience where you can discover how a great cocktail is made, and immerse yourself in the history and heritage of this exquisite spirit. Tickets are priced at just €16, which includes a cocktail.

Appetite whetted, you’re probably going to want to sample even more varieties of Dutch gin. So pay a visit to the De Drie Fleschjes tasting room where they’ve been welcoming enthusiastic Genever drinkers since 1650.

Philippines

The Philippines is the largest gin market in the world consuming over 22 million cases every year! It all started back in 1830’s when the first brand was formed by a family-owned Spanish era distillery. Ginebra San Miguel was the one that started the Filipino gin trend. An average Filipino consumes 1.4 liters of gin every year, largely due to the effective marketing and distribution of Ginebra San Miguel.

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Source credit: SkyParkSecure