have you ever taken a vacation outside of Phil ?

I have, to all continents save for Antartica.

I know exactly whay you mean, that's why I agree that we have not harnessed to the fullest the tourism prospects of the Philippines. I don't think we have reached even 10% of our potential share of the pie.

We have the most number of fine sand beaches, beautiful coastal plains and rich forested mountains and yet, we only have very little income coming from tourism. The Caribbean beaches found in Barbados, Sta Lucia, St Thomas, Puerto Rico are nothing compared to our beaches. But Tourism is the number earner of these countries. They have one or two they are so proud of, and we have thousands of kilometers or miles of them here. With lots of palm trees to boot, of which they only have a few or none at all.

And there is this Punta del Este in Uruguay, the whole of South America is proud of as the center of beach activities could not compare to even just one of our beaches. They have no fine sands, the water is awfully cold even when the sun's rays are prickly hot, the fruits of the seas (seafoods) are very few compared to what Philippine shores could offer. And Uruguay could boast of visitors from all around South America in summertime.

And what of the beaches in Europe, of the countries I love going back to each time I have the chance to jump on the plane. They have beautiful clean beaches, but still what is a beach without the palm trees and the native cottages/ cabanas we have here in the Philippines. France and Italy have Tourism as the number one source of their gross domestic product. True, we don't have their medieval history and castles, but we have the beaches and mountains they love to go to.

Australia have long beaches as well, but again I love ours with fine sands. Why do you think most of owners (by virtue of marriage) of beaches in Boracay are Australians?

Only the other Asian countries could compare to the type of beaches and mountains we have here, and sadly we lag behind them a mile away in tourism.

Let us be honest folks, let us take it constructively. We do not have the kind of tourism share we deserve. Our government is not doing enough for us to get that share. While we know that a lot of us are proud of what we have, that we have that we can offer the hospitality not given by people in other places, that we have the communication facility others don't have, that we have the smilingest faces on earth, we cannot have the tourist inflow needed if our own government proudly declares and irresponsible newsmen claim on the news that we have homegrown international terrrorists in our midst. They sound like puppets voicing the news somebody else prepared for them.

Remember, that security is one of the primary considerations of people who want to entertain themselves in traveling to places.

Yes, had vacations outside the Philippines and I agree with you. The white sand beaches in the Philippines alone are superb compared to that of Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean Islands.

Several factors as to why tourism is low in the Philippines:

1. Distance:

It takes a full day to get to the Philippines from the west. If the time difference is also taken into consideration, a total of two days is spent just going there.

2. Government:

To my kababayans, just stating a fact. Which part of the Philippines is the Ministry of Tourism (funny, it's MT) actively promoting the country? Where can a Filipino find an MT's office? The private sector promotes tourism; instead of the government which has access to greater funding and resources.

3. Media both local and international:

Sensationalism (which grabs the public's attention more) had given the country a bad reputation.

4. Little internet exposure:

Is there an up-to-date travel agency website that offers good deals to interested tourists?

5. Price:

Local resorts are pretty expensive compared with other countries.

I've been to Vegas. I like the lights and everything. Especially the theme of each hotel. but its not a place for me to go back all the time. some drunk people threw eggs on me. Lots of crazy people. And you are definetly right on saying those places that are known as tourist spots. It actually depends on what you like.Exactly where did you go when you went in the Philippines? Well, I have a lot of friends who travel a lot (on cruise lines though most of the time.) and they said that they still like Phil the most. Sadly though, I dont think that the government has enough budget for tourism. Its so sad that Phil has a lot of good places that can be improved but...... Hope the government can change. I still have hope... Maybe not in the government but with my people...

I am a Filipino American and grew up here in the Philippines.

I had been to Hongkong and stayed x 6 months in California. I had in San Francisco, Concord, LA, Nevada, Camarillo, Orange County!

The Philippines had many beautiful places like Baguio,Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos, Palawan and a lot more places.

I had been in Fort Ilocandia 5 years ago and I felt that I was a foreigner in my native land. The brochures are mostly in Chinese since the people who usually go there are Chinese and Taiwanese.

There are also foreigners in Boracay! It is surprisingly that most foreigners come here first than the local residents!

The Alabang area is where more diplomats stay. They are mostly Europeans, Americans, Asians who had been living in the Philippines for more than 10 years. They love the sun here in the Philippines.

You might have been in the wrong places. Though I know millions of people, mostly foreigners go to Hongkong, China, Disneyland LA, Nevada!

Here in Asia, had been to Ho Chi Minh City. And yes, I've seen lots of caucasians wherever we go. From the museums to Co Chi tunnels. I've got to talk one of them and said he's from Sweden.

Tourism here in the Philippines is not yet well established. Lack of infrastructures put the establishment of transport system in the backdrop. Look at the Pasig River. Ferry boats should dominate this water resource transporting passengers to various points in Metro Manila. But the lack of passanger terminals hinder this opportunity and instead allow water lilies to multiply.

Private businesses do not patronize local tourist areas, instead they give away prizes and awards such as travel outside the Philippines.

Metro Manila, the seat of corruption, street rallies, biased media, theo-politicians, poverty and hunger in the Philippines also compete in attracting tourists, yet they are helpless in giving them protection from bad elements of the society. Bali in Indonesia is world reknown even if no one mentions of Jakarta, The same with Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

It takes more time for the Philippines to catch up with great number of tourists. But we should not rush up things. We should be very sure that this paradise, our paradise won't be destroyed by irresponsible people whose agenda is profit. Let time do its counting.

I do help promote our beautiful islands wherever I go.

...and when I do go around the Philippines, I make them (my foreign friends) jealous! They even thought I retouched the pictures bec. they say it's so turquoise blue and that there's no such place. :)) They are planning to visit me soon and yep, I plan to make their vacation priceless.

So lucky to live in such a tropical paradise like the Philippines!