MANY Filipinos choose to travel to neighboring countries for a variety of reasons. In addition to the opportunity to explore new cultures, attractions, and unique experiences, some Filipinos find that traveling to local tourist destinations can be more expensive.
Do you know anyone who has visited Hong Kong, Singapore, or Vietnam but has never been to El Nido, Boracay, or Batanes?
There is often a psychological appeal and a sense of prestige associated with visiting popular destinations. Surprisingly, the costs of international flights, hotel accommodations, and food can be lower than those for domestic travel, particularly when promo flights are available.
While our airlines sometimes offer promotional tickets, hotel accommodations at well-known local tourist spots can be quite pricey. What may seem affordable to foreign tourists can be out of reach for local visitors.
For instance, a one-night hotel stay costing 100 US dollars is expensive for the average Filipino traveler, and a meal priced at 10 US dollars per serving is expensive.
As a result, when Filipinos save for future travel, they often consider more affordable destinations outside the country while waiting for promotional tickets. Roundtrip flights to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, or Vietnam can be as low as 5,000 to 8,000 pesos, which may match or even undercut the cost of domestic travel.
International travel is sometimes perceived as more exciting, especially for those seeking new adventures, such as experiencing winter or tasting unique delicacies. Travel packages from various agencies tend to be quite similar.
For example, a travel package to Thailand, Malaysia, or Vietnam costing 22,000 pesos includes roundtrip tickets from Davao City, a 5-day hotel stay with daily breakfast, and hotel transfers, which is quite reasonable.
In contrast, traveling to El Nido, Boracay, or Batanes from Davao City often requires purchasing tickets via Cebu or Manila if there are no direct flights, making it more expensive. Additionally, good hotels are expensive. While the total costs might be slightly lower, they could also end up being comparable to international travel.
The allure of experiencing something unique can overshadow the minimal cost differences, leading many to prefer destinations outside the Philippines.
The Philippines is indeed rich in natural wonders and boasts many tourist destinations. In fact, our tourist arrivals in 2024 reached almost six million, with over 91 percent being international visitors, while the remaining number consisted of Filipinos living overseas.
Our top visitors were Koreans, who made up 26.46 percent, followed by American travelers and then Japanese guests. Some of them were not first-timers.
Beyond the natural beauty of our country, we are appreciated for our warmth and hospitality, along with our ability to communicate in English.
We advocate for “Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan,” meaning let us not be strangers in our own land. The Philippines has much to offer on a global scale, from pristine beaches to stunning geological formations, as well as a lovable and loving Filipino culture.
However, our local destinations may not always appeal to our own citizens. If only we could create more opportunities for Filipinos to afford travel within the country without the burden of high expenses, we might experience the thrill and wonder of our local attractions more frequently.
Do you personally prefer traveling abroad or exploring within the Philippines?