IS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES???

Is more fun in the Philippines? A very nice slogan created by Department of Tourism and I have to say much publicity was done to promote the Philippines as a destination. As a Singaporean living in the Philippines for more than 10years, I always encourage people to visit the Philippines and there are more than 7107 Islands to explore, to experience, to enjoy but is it really more fun in the Philippines? 

How did you welcome the New Year? Did you enjoy the fire works? Did you enjoy the party? If you did, I envy you! I was supposed to be back in Boracay Island to celebration the welcome of 2015 but I celebrated the New Year’s Eve at Ninoy Aquino International Airport with more than 1000 passengers! Our flights via Philippines Airline from Manila to Kalibo were delay for more than 12hours!

What caused the delay? We don’t know the real reasons; the Kalibo Airport blamed the Manila Airport and the Manila Airport blamed Kalibo Airport. There was a blaming game going on and we were told to be patient and our patient lasted more than 12hours! How did Philippines Airline handle the delay? The Gates were handled by junior staffs of Philippines Airlines and when we asked them about the estimated time of departure, they would say “soon” and their “soon” will lasted more than 12hours. Where is the Duty Manager? Enjoying party I guess! People were hungry and there was no place for dinner since most of the shops were already close and to welcome the New Year. After past 10pm, we were then offered a small sandwich and a small bottle of water.

My heart goes to those senior citizens, infants & children who were waiting to board the flight. There were many tourists expecting to have a glimpse of New Year’s Eve Celebration in Boracay Island but were greatly disappointed with the delay. Is this going to be a good experience for tourists especially Europeans travellers who travelled more than 20hours to experience Philippines? What an experience for the tourists! Do you think they will still think that is more fun in the Philippines? Do you think they will go back and tell people about their good experiences in the Philippines especially the airports in the Philippines?

There are many wonderful destinations in the country, I have travelled to many cities in the Philippines and I do enjoy being part of Philippines. However; do we have a good airport to support all these destination? Airport is the first & last experience of every destination they are visiting, if they have a bad impression of the airport then when they leave, they will carry the same impression back to their country.

As a tourist, is not just about how nice or how well the decoration of the airport since very little time are spent, we are looking forward to board the plane and head to the next destination but we are very concern about the whole experience when we are in the airport. I don’t know about other parts of the world but this is the only country in Asia that require us to surrender our bags for inspection when we enter the airport then there will be long lines waiting for us to get the boarding pass. After getting the boarding pass, we will go through another inspection before going to our Gates to board the plane. There are very little shopping in the airport so nothing much to do, we are just getting ready to board the plane. I am glad these days we have WIFI in the airport that keep us busy with our smartphone even though it is extremely slow!

Perhaps this is the reason why Philippines are one of the worst airports in the world. If there is a special VIP heading to Kalibo, example; The Pope or The President, do you think they will experience flight delay? We will do so much for these special VIP to make sure flight goes on time but what about these tourists who will generate income to the country? If they are not having a good experience in Philippines, they will not come back again and they will also tell their families and friends about their bad experiences in the country. We spent so much money on promotion and marketing of Philippines as a destination of fun but the best method of marketing is word of mouth.

I hope airports will improve their services, if there are flights delays due to unforeseen circumstances then have a back up plan for the passengers. Do provide passengers with proper information and give them an estimate time of departure. If it is going to be more than 2hours then meals should be provided especially sufficient water. If it is going to be more than 6hours then accommodation should be provided. This will surely provide a good experience even when flights are delay.

I hope the aviation department will do something about the airports and airlines. If they can make sure all things run well when a special VIP is in the country then please consider tourists as one of the VIP and make all things run well too. Let’s bring reality to the slogan: Is More Fun In The Philippines!

Peter Tay

General Manager of Boracay Adventures Inc.

CDR. Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary Sq. 609