Hosting for tourism

In almost 37 years of living in the Philippines, my beloved wife Karen has tried her best to get her side of the family in the Netherlands to come and visit the Philippines. She extended repeated invitations, shared photos after photos, offered free food and accommodations as well as land travel arrangements, etc.

For her effort, her dad visited twice, her brother and sister came once and her brother in-law visited twice, once for tourism and once for work. Miracles upon miracles, she finally got her nephew and his fiancée to visit just before Christmas 2023. But that was after she threatened to disown the whole lot and not come home to the Netherlands.

In the past, we thought it was all about funds and costs of flying over, since it is expensive to fly to the Philippines. Maybe the DOT can come up with some discounts, free tours etc., to ease the cost. I also put together a few “small” things shared by foreigners and family abroad that we never think of.

First of all are the mis-impressions generated and seen abroad. In Europe, the issue of crime, criminality, peace and order or human rights are very sensitive issues. Whether it is about actual crimes or incidence of crimes, people abroad do keep such information in mind when considering travel plans.

What may seem as “familiar” – such as political violence where politicians and supporters are massacred by an opponent – is shocking to Europeans. The reports on the drug war and EJK and ICC investigations are cause for concern especially. Attacks on foreigners, as isolated as they may be, still matter.

We are currently hosting a young lady from Germany, and she said something innocent that got our attention. Upon learning that the young lady was going to the Philippines, her mother and grandmother both expressed fear for her safety.

Our young guest was puzzled because she had lived in different parts of Africa that were even more “unstable.” Filipinos may be all over the world, especially Europe, but we are clearly not creating an impression of how beautiful the Philippines and Filipinos are. Let’s revisit that image and global impression.

Aside from the reports on crime and violence, even the local media’s treatment or reporting on local weather and temperature has had an impact on foreigners looking into the Philippines. Unlike other countries where they stick to what the outdoor or indoor thermometers show, Philippine media talk about the heat index or “feels like” hell weather.

Last summer, we actually got messages on Meta/FB from family in the Netherlands asking if we were alright because of the extreme temperatures. At least two said that such temperatures are enough to keep them away from the Philippines. Right or wrong, our local understanding and insider view is not shared by or known to outsiders.

It clearly works against us to come up with our own names for typhoons of cyclones and our own way of reporting the temperature. There is a reason why there is a “world standard” for time and measures.

In any case, this article is not meant to simply point out problems but also to make some suggestions. For instance, I humbly and sincerely invite all our readers and friends to revive the tourism campaign during the time of the late DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez called “It’s More Fun in The Philippines” that Filipinos contributed to and made viral.

Let’s “Revive the Fun” by gathering all the images we have of our local travels. Post them all on social media for 30 days, and if you would, add some tips or highlights about what made or makes it fun.

I’m actually hoping we could flood IG, Meta/ FB, X and create a stir globally. If we can celebrate over Olympic medals, let us also celebrate and share our God-given blessings in terms of tourism attractions and experiences.

Next to the promo campaign, can we all commit to taking one long or short trip somewhere in the Philippines where you have never been before. Either by land, sea or air. Just Go, especially if you are already a senior citizen or have slowed down from the work life. Spend some of the money on yourself and have fun.

Right now, we still have to see Batanes, Bukidnon, go fishing off Sta. Cruz in Bataan, etc. As far as beaches and islands go, search out the beautiful Calaguas island near Daet, Camarines Sur or Malapascua island off Cebu. If you have not been to the Mt. Pinatubo crater (if it’s open to the public) the drive there on a 4X4 is an experience of a lifetime and the view of the crater is worth the climb.

Before I go off topic, if you want to show your patriotism, show what a wonderful friend you are and what Filipinos do best by opening your homes to friends abroad just as my wife, daughter and myself have done.

As part of our post-COVID recovery program, we have slowly fixed up our guest room to accommodate friends or family visiting from abroad, as well as those based in the Philippines and traveling to Metro Manila. They say that if you want to have a clean house or fix your house, then go and invite people to visit and stay with you. It started as a joke, but I can attest to the fact that it works!

Let us all try to invite the world by inviting our friends to the Philippines. Remember: “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

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