Malaysians Re-Discovers Philippines as 'Truly Fun'

The Philippine Tourism Department's homework is paying off

The Philippine Tourism Department’s homework is paying off


Thanks to our Tourism Department’s robust campaign in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians are fast discovering that it is truly more fun in The Philippines. Guest arrivals from that neighboring country peaked in 2012 earning it the 10th spot in the most number of tourists from a nation of origin, up from the 11th spot. South Koreans still hold the top spot with Americans holding firmly on the second place but the Malaysians grew unexpectedly making us think that there’s more to see in The Philippines than what they probably already know.
Malaysia’s very popular tourism campaign “Malaysia, Truly Asia” has raised a lot of curiosity from Westerners following a very intense campaign that started in 1999 that brought in more than seven million tourists and helping it dodge the world economic crisis in 2008.
It will be noted, though, that Malaysian’s favorite gateway destination aside from Manila, Clark, and Cebu is the City of Davao, which is home to the country’s Monkey-eating Eagle. Davao, dubbed as the most “Livable City” is home to other tourism destinations like The Philippine Eagle Foundation and Nature Center, Mt. Apo, and The Pearl Farm Resort to name a few.
Rounding up the Top 10 Sources of Tourist Arrivals in the Country for 2012 are:

  1. Korea (832,437)
  2. United States (534,899)
  3. Japan (341,676)
  4. China (215,814)
  5. Taiwan (188,862)
  6. Australia (147,237)
  7. Singapore (111,200)
  8. Hongkong (98,967)
  9. Canada (96,089)
  10. Malaysia (91,230) Up by almost 22%!

 
We wrote this post because of this news we saw today from RAPPLER
You can read the same story from these sources:

Thank Inquirer.net for the photo.

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Taxes Out, More Tourists In!

Commercial Airliners will surely line up to bring in more visitors

Commercial Airliners will surely line up to bring in more visitors


Crossroads Hostel learned that the Philippine Senate recently passed its own version of the Bill, which the Lower House passed much earlier that will remove burdening taxes that continue to discourage airliners from bringing in more passengers to The Philippines. The President is expected to sign the Bill into Law very soon, which airline industry experts say will make The Philippines more attractive than ever in getting its tourism business further off the ground.
For travelers, the said airline taxes is estimated to bring the cost of airline tickets down by as much as eight percent and is estimated to bring in PhP455 Billion pesos worth of revenues from tourism and could most-likely generate six million jobs.
This would mean better infrastructures, better services, and better prospects in showing what the 7,107 islands have to the delight of travelers especially backpackers.
In this regard, Crossroads Hostel will continue to provide high value service to budget travelers looking for a place to stay in after they’ve landed in Manila. This is definitely a Win-Win situation both for our country and for our full-service business.
We wrote this post because of this news we saw today from INTERAKSYON:

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Hello, 2013!

We wish your new year will be as fruitful as your best days were!

We wish your new year will be as fruitful as your best days were!

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Curtain Call!

Peekaboo!

Peekaboo!


Close. Open. It’s like a game adults play with kids and these bed curtains are a new feature that our guests will enjoy when they plan to play…er…stay with us on their next vacation. It’s no big deal, really, but we couldn’t help taking a picture of it and show you how fun, functional, and practical these things could be. All thirty of our beds this coming January of the new year will have these features standard. And speaking of new year, we’ll offer PhP100.00 discount to the first Twenty persons who will stay with us and enjoy this and all our high value offers at Crossroads Hostel. What’s the catch? We just want your picture in the most fun and funny pose you can share us. Are you game? So are we. Book now!

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Fun Hostels Around the World

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IM2KV8h1sU]
Crossroads Hostel vendor, Hostelworld.com, came up with an up and close view of what Hostels are in different parts of the world. Yes, you’ve probably seen those Hyatt, Resortworld Hotels ads but you probably don’t know that Hostels can be as fun and classy as it can be (from Jumbo Jets, To Court Room Houses, and Prisons!) to delight its travelers here and abroad.
Learn more from Colm Hanratty what Hostels are and see what it can do for you, your wallet, and your travels around the world.
Thank you, Hostelworld.com for continuing to support Hostels, like Crossroads Hostel, all over the world.

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2013 Long Weekend List

Adventure waits

Adventure waits


Now you know when to plan your vacation days, it’s now time to plan your long weekend vacation days so you can save up more and plan ahead.
Long Weekends

  1. February 23 – 25 (EDSA Revolution Anniversary Weekend)
  2. March 28 – 31 (Holy Week Weekend)
  3. August 9 – 11 (Eid Ul Fitr Weekend)
  4. August 24 – 26 (National Heroes Day Weekend)
  5. November 1 – 3 (All Saints Day Weekend)
  6. December 28 – January 1 (Rizal Day, New Year’s Day Weekend)

These are weekends that need more planning because you need to file an extra day of Vacation Leave from your work to enjoy four to five straight days of vacation time.
Possible Long Weekends

  1. October 12 – 15 (Eid Ul Adha Weekend, Oct 14 (Monday) Work day)
  2. December 21 – 25 (Christmas Day Weekend, Dec 23 (Monday) Possible Work day)

If you want to see the rest of our weekends here in The Philippines, click here.
If you want your friends to SAVE more money in lodging when they travel to the Philippines, click here.
Thank you for having us post your pictures: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcuq67MbkN1qipz0v.jpg

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Awesome "Still-Must-See" 2013 Destinations

Keep Local Tourism Alive!

Keep Local Tourism Alive!


Now is probably the best time to plan your travels within your territory. Forget Boracay…well, not really. Let’s give that White Beach island some rest and get to thousands of tiny and large spots in different parts of The Philippines to travel to.
Our Awesome Planet founder and editor, Anton Diaz, shares his recommendations for 2011 but I know it’s 2013 coming up but how many of you have been to even half of the places he mentioned here?
Get more details and ideas from Anton as he explores and reviews these places for you.
Pack your bags, check our 2013 calendar holidays, file your leaves by first day of work, and give your all so you can make next year a win-win situation: A happy workplace, a happy boss, and a happy you for more memories to treasure with family then your friends!
Follow us! on Facebook and Twitter
Special Thanks:

  1. Our Awesome Planet: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com
  2. (Cover Picture) Pinasnewsfeed: http://pinasnewsfeed.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/koreans-still-philippines-top-tourists/
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List of 2013 Philippine Holidays (Unofficially)

Crossroads Hostel thinks it’s always best to plan. We’re now listing, albeit unofficially, 2013’s official and special holidays.  We based this on Malacañang‘s 2011 and 2012 proclamations and other websites to come up with the results below. So save up and tour The Philippines!

Tuesday 1-Jan New Year’s Day
Monday 25-Feb EDSA Revolution Anniversary
Thursday 28-Mar Maundy Thursday
Friday 29-Mar Good Friday
Tuesday 9-Apr Araw ng Kagitingan
Wednesday 1-May Labor Day
Wednesday 12-Jun Independence Day
Thursday 8-Aug Eid’i Fitr
Wednesday 21-Aug Ninoy Aquino Death Anniversary
Monday 26-Aug National Heroes Day
Tuesday 15-Oct Eidul Adha
Friday 1-Nov All Saints Day
Saturday 30-Nov Bonifacio Day
Tuesday 24-Dec Christmas Eve
Wednesday 25-Dec Christmas Day
Monday 30-Dec Rizal Day
Tuesday 31-Dec Last Day of the Year

We made a list of Long Weekends and Possible Long Weekends list here too.
By the way, include us in your itinerary if you want to save up on lodging budget when you visit Metro Manila to spend your holidays here!

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If in Case you Need a Place to Stay

Why spend US$75/night (or more!) on a luxury room in a hotel when luxury – in The Philippines – can be found in the sights, sounds, and the memories you will remember forever about Metro Manila and surrounding beaches and resorts nearby?

Rest easy and save more!

Rest easy and save more!


“Saving more to experience more” seems to be my battle cry when it comes to traveling to places you will take pictures and videos of your tours and adventures. I remember our trip to Europe and the help I got from my brother back in 2011. He said to stay in a Hostel or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) places in Rome so we can save more money for other things. I was hesitant at first but I can’t complain too because my mom was paying for my family’s trip as well. So off we went to see Italy and we made it all worth it because we saved a lot of Euros just by staying in a B&B place. Imagine not enjoying Italy or Singapore fearing you won’t be able to enjoy the food, the destinations, and the warmth of people themselves.
Hostels or B&B homes are your regular homes. The same places you and I lived in when we were little but the only difference is, it’s now turned to something more useful for visiting tourists and guests.
I turned that experience into what Crossroads Hostel is for our visiting guests. Rooms are air-conditioned, beds are like the ones I grew up on and the hospitality is none like Filipinos are known for. What best is, I’ve served all my guests personal hot breakfast meals and that is what I’m training my staff to do so you get the best quality for your money.
You just don’t save a lot but you expand the worth and value of your money and your stay. This way, you bring home more souvenirs, more stories, and more memories about The Philippines and yes, Crossroads Hostel too if you like.
 
Want to try us? BOOK NOW using these vendors:
Crossroads Hostel Airbnb logoCrossroads Hostel hosteworld

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Crossroads Hostel Opens Softly

Come right in!


We are thrilled to share photos of our newly-renovated Hostel property (called Crossroads Hostel) located right smack at the center of Manila’s Metropolis.
Crossroads Backpackers Hostel took almost seven months to finish from the planned 30-bed, six-door property sitting on a 250 square-meter land in Mandaluyong. The Hostel got its name from the two, nearby main roads of the Metropolis that crosses each other here. Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and Shaw Boulevard (two of the biggest business and trade thoroughfares) crosses each other and this gives Backpackers a very good edge in traveling, adventure-style in Metro Manila.
The new property is a stone’s throw away from the most rugged urban place you can find to the most-posh malls and location in town.
The nearest hospital is no more than one-hundred meters away (about 109 yards) and the iconic Filipino Jeepney passes through here so visitors like you can take pictures of it any time you want. The Light Rail Train is just meters away and so are the buses, the tricycles, the taxis.  That’s why getting to your destination whenever you want AND according to your budget is a cinch.
The best part about Crossroads Hostel are the features of the place especially the warmth and hospitality you’ll find in our property. We can never boast enough how we can make your travel the safest yet the most comfortable – we think – you can ever have. So come right in and check out the pictures we took just this morning with my wife and try staying with us on your next trip.
On your next trip to the Philippines, Book your next trip with us, at Crossroads Hostel, via Hostelworld.com.
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