New Puerto Princesa International Airport Terminal

Full Story from PortCalls Asia - https://www.portcalls.com/puerto-princesa-international-airport-terminal-opens/

Photo courtesy of Cebu Pacific and Rakso Travels.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) inaugurated on May 3 the new P4.5-billion terminal of the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). Located in San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City, the new terminal has a floor area of 13,000 square meters and a seating capacity of 1,500, parking slots for over 200 cars, a 2,600-meter runway that can accommodate bigger aircraft like the Airbus A330, and six parking bays.

It boasts a state-of-the-art air navigation system (instrument landing system/distance measuring equipment, automated weather observing system, Doppler Very High Frequency/DME) that complies with international standards, and that enhances the airport’s safety operations with a 1800 KVA standby generator set.

In 2014, the then Department of Transportation and Communications awarded the design and build contract for the PPS airport to South Korea’s Kumho Industrial Co. Ltd.-GS Engineering & Construction Joint Venture. Besides a new passenger terminal building, the project scope also includes the construction of a cargo terminal building, an apron, connecting taxiways, a new air navigation system, and other support facilities.

Currently, an average of 20 flights (20 landings/20 take-offs) operate daily out of the airport involving PAL Express (Manila and Cebu), Cebu Pacific (Manila, Mactan, and Iloilo), Philippine AirAsia (Manila, Cebu, and Davao), Philippine Airlines (Manila, Clark, and Taipei-Taoyuan), and Air Juan (Busuanga and Cuyo).

In 2013, the facility welcomed 1.335 million passengers, way beyond the passenger terminal building’s current estimated capacity of only 350,000 passengers annually.

Once the project is completed, the airport will have an annual capacity of about 2 million passengers.

In a separate statement, Cebu Pacific, which has 550 flights to and from Palawan, said it will begin its flight operations from the new PPS terminal on May 4, expecting the new international airport to boost tourism in Palawan.

In 2016, Cebu Pacific flew the most number of passengers to and from Puerto Princesa, garnering over 50% of the total market share. The airline will be increasing the capacity of its flights to and from Puerto Princesa, upgrading from the 180-seater Airbus A320 to the Airbus A321 NEOs with a 230-seating capacity.

Philippines The World's BEST Country of Destination 2022

Full Story came from the Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

December 1, 2022, 3:44 pm

Updated on December 1, 2022, 4:50 pm

MANILA – The Philippines was voted anew as the "world's best country tourism destination" in the 2022 Uzakrota Global Travel Awards, cementing its position as a top-of-the-mind travel spot even during a pandemic.

The country bested all other countries nominated with 721 votes, bagging the award for the second time since it held the title in 2020.

The initiative was led by the Turkish travel organization Uzakrota Global, which also recognized Malaysia and the Dominican Republic as the world's top two and three, with 523 and 459 votes, respectively.

Aside from the Uzakrota awards, the country also picked up 13 recognitions in all categories available at Scuba Diving's 2023 Readers' Choice Awards by US-based Scuba Diving Magazine, including the top honors for Shore Diving.

"As the international accolades for the Philippines continues to grow, so too the role of tourism as an engine of the Philippines' economic growth under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose prioritization of tourism has brought much optimism and hope for the industry," Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Thursday.

"These awards reflect the global traveling public's vote of confidence and enthusiasm for our country and it translates to more tourists visiting our shores as evidenced by our over two million arrivals thus far."

The country ranked second in Macro Life, Cavern/Cave & Grotto Diving, Beginners, Photography, and Best Value categories; third in Wreck Diving, Snorkeling, and Health of Marine Environment; fourth in Wall Diving and Advanced; fifth in Best Overall; and ninth in the Big Animals grouping for the Pacific and Indian Ocean cluster.

The country was also previously named the World's Leading Dive Destination 2022 by the World Travel Awards. Meanwhile, Cebu had been listed among the 50 "best places to travel in 2023" by the US-based online travel guide Travel Lemming.

Travel Lemming described Cebu as "perfect for all types of tourists" and "allows you to indulge in both thrilling experiences and waterfront relaxation." Another key tourism destination in the Philippines, Palawan, was cited by another US-based travel guide Fodor as one of the 40 destinations on its Go List for 2023.

Fodor called Palawan "the very definition of eco-luxury" and "one of the Philippines’ most magical islands where underwater worlds meet lush jungles." Aside from the world-renowned Palawan, Cebu, and Boracay, the Philippines has a lot more destinations to offer for various types of travelers.

Samar, Biliran, and Leyte alone are home to plenty of mesmerizing waterfalls, caves, and rock formations, making them ideal stops for adventure-seeking tourists.

Siquijor in Central Visayas, meanwhile, is perfect for those seeking a laidback vibe and a less crowded island destination.

BI: Tourist arrivals top 600K in October

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it sees an increase in the number of tourist arrivals in the country for the holiday season. This came as the country saw more than 600,000 tourists arrivals in October alone, according to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

“There were 634,000 arrivals for the month of October. So we see that it will increase this November and December. Until January which we consider as the peak season for travelers. In the past few months, we can see that it is increasing," she said in a Laging Handa briefing Thursday.

Sandoval attributed this to the relaxation of travel restrictions due to the country's improved coronavirus situation.

However, she said they logged less than 200,000 tourist arrivals in December last year.

“In December 2021, only over 195,000 total arrivals for the entire month, which is lower compared to pre-pandemic figures,” the BI official added.

Photo CTTO https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philippines_flag.jpg

Earlier this year, the government relaxed entry restrictions for travelers as part of efforts to revive the economy amid the pandemic. (with Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)

Milpitas Open House!

Milpitas Road Show Featuring My Ensö Loft by PH1 World

When: This Wednesday, November 30, 2022 1pm and 5pm

Where: Project Presentation Inside the State Farm Office - 308 Great Mall Dr. Milpitas, CA 95035

Please RSVP with Ms. Apple Manansala - (408) 627-1801

or with Ms. Dolly Escobar - (925) 238-5580

Come and Join the Fun!