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Bicol Rejoices as PNR Reopens Naga-Legazpi Route After Six Years!

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GET READY FOR A SCENIC TRAIN RIDE through the heart of Bicol! The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has finally reopened the Naga-Legazpi route after six years, bringing back a cherished mode of travel and a vibrant connection between two of the region’s most dynamic cities.

This 2023 Christmas season, the familiar whistle of the train echoes through the countryside once again. The journey kicks off with a 5:45 a.m. departure from Naga City, winding through 101 kilometers of breathtaking landscapes in Camarines Sur and Albay. With four daily trips each way, the Naga-Legazpi route offers a convenient and affordable option for both locals and tourists.

Skip the traffic, embrace the chug! The PNR reconnects Naga and Legazpi, offering affordable, scenic travel through Bicol’s heartland. Let the train take you there! #TravelByTrain (photo by INKA)

Whether you’re a commuter seeking a comfortable ride or an explorer yearning for a unique adventure, the PNR promises a memorable journey. Traverse charming towns like Pili, Iriga, Polangui, Ligao, and Daraga, each with its own cultural treasures and vibrant communities. Soak in the panoramic views from your window, watch the sun rise over Mayon Volcano, or simply relax and enjoy the rhythmic chug of the train.

And the best part? The fares are incredibly budget-friendly, ranging from P15 to P155 depending on your destination. Senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities can enjoy a 20% discount, making travel even more accessible.

So, ditch the traffic and embrace the nostalgia! Hop onboard the PNR Naga-Legazpi train and rediscover the magic of Bicol. Explore hidden gems, savor local delicacies, and connect with the warmth of the Bicolano people. This is more than just a train ride; it’s a journey back to the heart of a region pulsating with culture, history, and breathtaking beauty.

All aboard for Mayon Majesty! Witness the iconic volcano like never before on the reopened Naga-Legazpi train. Experience Bicol’s magic one station at a time! #MayonTrainRide

WHAT THIS MEANS TO PHILIPPINE TOURISM IN BICOL

The reopening of the Naga-Legazpi PNR route has several potential implications for Philippine tourism:

Positives:

  • Improved Accessibility: It provides a new and accessible option for tourists to travel between Naga and Legazpi, both popular destinations in Bicol known for their natural beauty, cultural heritage, and festivals. This could attract more tourists to the region and contribute to regional economic development.
  • Enhanced Scenic Travel: The train journey itself offers a unique and scenic way to experience the Bicol region, passing through charming towns and stunning landscapes. This could appeal to tourists seeking alternative travel experiences beyond typical flights and buses.
  • Promotion of Local Tourism: The restored train service may encourage domestic tourism within the Bicol region, making it easier for locals to explore nearby destinations and contribute to local economic activity.
  • Support for Sustainable Tourism: Trains are generally considered an environmentally friendly mode of transportation compared to cars and buses. This aligns with the growing trend of sustainable tourism and could appeal to eco-conscious travelers.

Challenges:

  • Limited Capacity: With only four daily trips, the train’s capacity might not be able to fully meet the demand during peak tourist seasons. This could lead to congestion and booking difficulties.
  • Competition with other Modes of Transport: The train will compete with existing air and bus connections between Naga and Legazpi. Tourists might still opt for faster or more convenient options.
  • Promotion and Awareness: The PNR needs to effectively promote the reopened route to both local and international tourists to ensure its success.

Overall, the reopening of the Naga-Legazpi PNR route has the potential to positively impact Philippine tourism by offering a new and scenic travel option for tourists and promoting local economic activity. However, addressing capacity limitations, competition, and effectively promoting the route will be crucial for maximizing its success and contribution to the overall tourism industry.

NOTE TO READER

It’s important to note that these are just potential implications based on available information. Further research and data on tourist flows, travel preferences, and the performance of existing transportation options within the region would be necessary for a more detailed assessment of the route’s impact on Philippine tourism.

/withhelpfrombard

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Mega Bridge Project Set to Connect Panay, Guimaras, and Negros!

Exciting news for the Western Visayas region! The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has signed a crucial contract with Korean companies to design the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Islands Bridge Project, a game-changer for transportation in the area.

This mega-project, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Build, Better, More” program, involves building two massive bridges:

  • Panay-Guimaras Bridge: 13 kilometers long, connecting Panay Island to Guimaras.
  • Guimaras-Negros Bridge: 19.47 kilometers long, connecting Guimaras to Negros Island.
Two monumental bridges are set to connect three island provinces

DESIGN PHASE

The design phase, expected to be completed by 2025, will pave the way for construction between 2025 and 2032. Once finished, the project promises to:

  • Slash travel time: From a four-hour ferry ride, crossing between Panay and Negros will take just one hour!
  • Boost economy: Improved connectivity will open up new opportunities for trade and tourism.
  • Enhance lives: Easier transportation will benefit residents of all three islands.
A planned sketch of how the bridges will connect the three island regions

FUNDING

Funding for the design comes from a Korean loan, and construction will be covered by a separate budget. This ambitious project signifies the government’s commitment to developing infrastructure that benefits Filipinos and fuels regional growth.

So, stay tuned for updates on this exciting development! The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Islands Bridge Project is poised to transform the landscape and lives of Western Visayas.

Key takeaways (in simpler language):

  • Two giant bridges are being built to connect Panay, Guimaras, and Negros.
  • Travel time will be significantly reduced, making transportation easier.
  • This project will boost the economy and improve lives in the region.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR TOURISM IN THE REGION

The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Islands Bridge project promises to be a tourism game-changer for the Western Visayas region, injecting a shot of adrenaline into its tourism industry. Here’s how:

1. Faster, Easier Travel: Imagine ditching the four-hour ferry ride and zipping between islands in just one hour! This dramatic reduction in travel time will make exploring all three islands much more accessible and enticing for tourists. Day trips from Panay to Guimaras and Negros become a breeze, opening up a wider range of destinations and itineraries.

2. Island Hopping Bliss: With seamless connections, tourists can easily embark on island-hopping adventures, savoring the diverse attractions of each place. From the pristine beaches and laid-back vibes of Guimaras to the cultural treasures and natural wonders of Negros, a whole new world of exploration awaits.

3. Untapped Potential Unlocks: This bridge unlocks previously inaccessible areas, revealing hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Imagine secluded beaches, cascading waterfalls, and charming villages that were once difficult to reach. Tourists can now venture deeper into the region, enriching their travel experiences and supporting local communities.

4. Booming Business: Easier travel leads to increased visitor numbers, injecting a much-needed boost into the local economy. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and souvenir shops will all benefit from the influx of tourists, creating new jobs and opportunities.

5. Diversifying Options: The bridge opens up possibilities for niche tourism segments. Adventure seekers can conquer challenging hikes on Negros, nature lovers can immerse themselves in the lush landscapes, and history buffs can delve into the rich cultural heritage of each island. The diversity of experiences will attract a wider range of tourists, further strengthening the region’s tourism appeal.

Overall, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Islands Bridge project is a beacon of hope for tourism in Western Visayas. It promises to unleash the region’s full potential, attracting more visitors, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. So, get ready to experience the magic of these islands like never before – the bridge is paving the way for an unforgettable adventure!

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DOT GRANTS CROSSROADS HOSTEL MANILA ACCREDITATION RENEWAL

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THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM granted Crossroads Hostel Manila accreditation to operate as a duly recognizeo Mabuhay accommodation until October 31, 2024. This is the fifth accreditation the tourism bureau gave the hostel for as long as the hostel open back in 2014. Crossroads Hostel first received its accreditation in 2016 and it helped the hostel tremendously especially during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hostel didn’t close its doors because it is one of the few accredited properties recognized by the Tourism Department back in March 17 2020 called upon by the national government to continue accepting visitors and use it as a quarantine location. The hostel used its badge in a different way. During the lockdown, it helped essential businesses in the private sector to continue operating such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. Crossroads Hostel continued to provide accommodation to key member staff and it worked well until such time when Work from Home was encouraged.

According to DOT’s website, accreditation by the Tourism government agency would give the following benefits:

  • Endorsement to COMELEC for exemption from liquor ban during election-related events*.
  • Endorsement to embassies and travel trade association for utilization of establishment’s facilities and services.
  • Being prioritized for DOT training programs
  • Endorsement to internation and domestive airports (if appropriate) for Issuance of Access Pass to Qualified Personnel**.
  • Qualification for Exemption from the United Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) of the Metro Manila Development authority (MMDA)***.
  • Endorsement to Land Transportation Franchising and regulatory Board (LTFRB) for Issuance of Tourist Transport Franchise***. Technical / Security / Facilitation Support or assistance.

*For accommodation establishments and restaurants only.

**For Tour Operators and Accommodation Establishments only.

***For tourist Land Transport Vehicles only.

Because of such benefits, Crossroads Hostel Manila will continue to seek the government’s accreditation because it provides the hostel not just credentials but reassurance to guests that they are in a safe place, a safe location, and a safe space to rest and transact business when necessary. 

To date, Crossroads Hostel has earned an average customer rating of 9.0 out of 10 stars. This is a remarkable feat considering that it is a budget accommodation and its rating outlasts some of the three to five star hotels nearby.

Get the same experience. Book a safe, secure, and clean place to stay with us. Call +639478957600 for more information. Guests can reach us via WhatsApp and we can immediately book your stay with us in no time.

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Hanoi, Vietnam hosts Hostelworld™ 2018 APAC Conference

screenshot_20180921-003510_hw conference6370137440316510126..jpgHostel owners from different regions of Asia Pacific converge at Hanoi, Vietnam this week to network and strengthen this sector of the tourism industry that developing countries have yet to fully recognize. As the host of this event, the 3-day conference will showcase Hostelworld™’s capability to support the needs and requirements of this growing segment. It will also give hostel owners a chance to meet other operators and help each other share stories and experiences on how to grow this business and achieve much faster returns and results for the development of the industry.
This will be a chance for Crossroads Hostel Manila to meet with different owners of hostels not just from different nations in Asia but also counterpart hostels within Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
The hostel industry in the Philippines is very young and with a growing number of budget travelers locally and across the globe, the time is more than ripe to develop this sector and offer fresh ideas for guests with choices of accommodations from different places in the country.
This is the first time Crossroads Hostel Manila will participate in a big event like this outside the country and our goal and intention is to make more travelers know that Crossroads Hostel Manila is here ready to serve and help travelers with their accommodation. The goal is to make the hostel much bigger and much better in terms of more services to offer and we’re inching ever so close to this goal and committed to making sure this happens as it helps put The Philippines on the map for backpacker travelers, tours, needs, whatever background they have.
For more information about this property, log on to facebook.com/crossroadshostelmanila and send us a message and we’ll reply fast.

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WeChat™ and Alipay™ to Partner with Crossroads Hostel Manila


Guests who use WeChat and Alipay will soon partner with Crossroads Hostel Manila. The fintech (finance technology) will give guests that ability to pay their accommodation and stay at the hostel very soon.
It is a groundbreaking opportunity because Crossroads Hostel Manila will be one of the many establishments in the Metro Manila area to use this feature. This will mostly benefit Chinese guests who are now flocking more than ever in The Philippines to tour and discover many tropical settings in the country.
Asia United Bank (AUB) facilitated this groundbreaking event as they partnered with Tencent (who operates WeChat Pay) and Alibaba (who operates Alipay) late 2017 and early this year.
We’ll be posting more information soon and we hope you tell your Chinese friends who may benefit from this convenience in our hostel and help the country’s tourism more.
(Editor’s Note: Featured image from pymnts.com)

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Paypal Charges increase 10%

STARTING TODAY, there will be a 10% transaction fee for credit card users who will pay their stay at the hostel. We are forced to pass the charge in light of the increased Paypal fees being imposed by the said company among other factors.
There are two types of fees that Paypal is imposing in the Philippines: (a) FIXED FEE for every transactions, PhP15 and (b) OTHER FEES which may mean CROSS BORDER TRANSACTION FEES and COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION FEES.
These fees put together can be a strain to modest operations of hostels like this in our country especially in the capital of Metro Manila compared to other developing countries in Asia.
The other one are the rising cost of operations from the recently passed taxes that gave way to rising cost of fuel, water, taxes, and even cost of labor. We’re still trying to keep the pricing at more affordable levels and paying your stay with us using Online Travel Agencies like expedia.com, traveloka.com, and hostelworld.com can give you advantages when it comes to applying the discounts they offer.
Thank you for your continued patronage and may affordable places like this thrive even further in the face of rising cost of every thing in our world today.

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Summer 2018 Aircon Schedule

SUMMER heat has gone from hot to hotter every year and this season is no exception. With temperatures (heat index) rising up to 42ºC to 45ºC in the country, you would like to be more comfortable than ever before.
In our studies, the most appropriate times to use the A/C and give our guests the comfort are between 6PM and 6AM when you come back from work and through the rest of the evening when you need to sleep.
Some guests were not happy.
We’ve received negative reports that we’re not considerate in turning off the air-conditioning units but we’re also mindful that we only turn them off during times when they’re needed to be turned off so that we maintain the operations of the said facilities.
The country expects the heat index to reach its peak heat this month and because we want more guests to feel comfortable at night when every one are fast asleep, we decided to control the use of these amenities to guarantee all our guests enjoy the rest they deserve throughout the night:

  • A/Cs are used from 6PM to 6AM and then again at 12NN to 3PM

Any other times, the air-conditioning units will be off and resting.
To help our guests cool during these times we will have the electric fans available while we serve overflowing Raspberry Iced Tea drinks and/or Ice Water (or even Ice Cream!) until there are guests these summer months and until the PAG-ASA Weather Bureau says “Summer has ended!”
Thank you for bearing this dry season with Crossroads Hostel Manila and if you would like to book yourself a stay or for your loved ones, click the links of online travel agencies (OTAs) offering our property. See you then?
Tara na sa EXPEDIA!
Nakakaloka sa TRAVELOKA!
Hip na hip sa CTRIP!
 

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Gallup: Filipinos, happiest in 2017

SOMETHING to smile about.
Gallup International’s 41st Annual Global End of Year Survey ranked The Philippines as the top three countries who were happiest in 2017. Fiji topped the survey with Columbia ranking second in a field of fifty-five countries.
Filipinos have been known to be hospitable, caring, and always smiling. This survey shows the Filipinos’ resiliency no matter what crisis comes its way. You can see this once you get to different places every where in the country. It’s as if each Filipino was born to make guests feel more welcome and see what their country is all about.

Filipino children play in a flooded street

Nothing will dampen the happiness in Filipinos.


Despite calamities, disasters, hardships in economy, you name it — if you’re Filipino, what do you think attributes that kind of happiness despite economic problems and recent political noises? We would like to hear your wiser opinion and share your thoughts in the comments section.
 
For those of you who are curious what makes our happiness waterproof, bulletproof and more — visit out country and see what makes us resilient. It’s something you can only find out up close and personal.
(Footnote: Image is from Living in The Philippines blog; Featured Image is from A Couple of Countries blog; Thank you to you all.)
 
 

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Crossroads Hostel is 'Bahay ni Kuya'

WE’VE RECEIVED so many inquiries and many ask for a lower price.
We understand the concern but let us help you with more background on what our hostel is.
People mistake Crossroads Hostel like any other ‘Transient Place” where people pay for an ordinary “bed space” on a daily basis, however, we’re not just a bed space — we’re a hostel. A hostel is a property created mainly for backpackers today but we’ve evolved into something else, we’re not just for backpackers but we’re also for business professionals and travelers looking for a budget place to stay.
Budget doesn’t mean cheap, it just means affordable. Affordable because the place offers value to all of its customer traveling this way in the Central Business District (CBD) area of Ortigas shared by the chartered cities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Quezon businesses.

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We try to make it the most comfortable space you can have at a fraction of a cost located here in the heart of Metro Manila


Our place offers more than 100 square meters of space where every visitor can lounge, cook, and relax in the comforts of a bungalow home.
If you can imagine it, we’re like the home of your favorite evening reality show, Pinoy Big Brother where every Filipino know the place as ‘Bahay Ni Kuya’ (Big Brother’s House). So you’re not confined inside your bedroom inside where you share with other travelers.
Each bedroom is air-conditioned and our rooms have as much as eight beds inside. Our beds have curtains so you can sleep without the prying eyes of another neighbor so a sense of privacy is still maintained. It is cleaned every single day by our housekeeper and your towels are changed every day, your linens every other four days.
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It’s a simple but value-driven space you can always count on from us


Our kitchen is as complete as you can get. You may not be able to bake but with all the amenities inside this kitchen you will be able to cook delicious but budget meals to your heart’s content.
We’re located at the heart of Metro Manila. That’s no joke. You go to Google Maps and you type Crossroads Hostel Manila and you’ll see from the map that our location when viewed zoomed out from the map that we’re in the middle of every strategic place you can think of going to. EDSA is just a minute walk away and the entrance to the MRT train (SHAW Boulevard Station) is just right there for your taking.
The wet market where you can buy fresh produce, meat, and other staple foods you like is just five minutes walk away with a pharmacy just beside it.
So with a price of PhP699, taxes included, why settle for a motel that won’t give you that home atmosphere that you want to be in when the comforts and security of home is just right there at Crossroads Hostel Manila.
This is no spiel, no marketing talk — it’s as plain as you can experience it from people who’ve been here the first time, the second time, and those who call our place their home away from home.
For your next travel to Metro Manila and Ortigas area, come consider us and see what we mean because as travelers we make it our business to give you the hospitality every local or foreign traveler deserves.

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Crossroads Hostel is Closed for the Christmas and New Year Holidays

To give way to our staff and our hostel a deserving rest for the new year, we’re closing our doors starting Saturday, December 23rd until Monday, 1st January 2018.
Every year, we use this time to clean our hostel from top to bottom and preparing for the new year and to give our hardworking staff the rest they deserve.
December is a slow month for us but surprisingly, we got a good share of guests in the first week and it helped us a bit offset a very challenging year. We don’t mind. A blessing is a blessing and we’ll take anything to bring our message of service and commitment ’til the new year, 2018.
We’ll be open still to accommodate guests around these dates: Up to Friday, Dec 22 and between Tuesday, December 26 up to Saturday, December 30th but it has to be walk in guests and check ins are still up to 8pm only.
CLOSED FOR BUSINESS: December 23rd, 24th and 25th and December 30th, 31st, January 1st 2018.
Thank you all for making our hostel an insightful one. We will remember 2017 where challenges abound but we always hope and persevere because there’s a BIGGER HOPE more than we can all imagine.

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