Airbnb introduces 50+ product upgrades and innovations to support Live Anywhere travel revolution

 

• YouGov polling by Airbnb reveals that 9 out of 10 Filipinos polled would work, live or travel differently, if they had more flexibility at work
• Over 70% say that home-sharing accommodation provides amenities that make it easier to integrate living with travel, as well as more unique, one-of-a-kind travel experiences
  

Manila, Philippines, 10 November 2021 - In May, Airbnb introduced the Airbnb 2021 Release, with over 100 upgrades to improve every aspect of the Airbnb service. Today, the company announces an additional 50+ upgrades that make it easier to host and support the changing needs of travelers.

From March 2020 to September 2021*, new Airbnb Hosts in the Philippines who started hosting post-pandemic collectively earned over PHP207.5 million from welcoming guests on Airbnb. The world is undergoing a revolution in how we live and work. Technologies like Zoom make it possible to work from home, and Airbnb makes it possible to work from any home. This newfound flexibility is bringing about a revolution in how Filipinos travel. In a new YouGov poll commissioned by Airbnb**, over 70% of Filipinos polled said that staying in home-sharing type accommodation provides them with amenities that make it easier to integrate living with travel, and allows them to experience more unique, one-of-a-kind travel in local communities.

The survey also revealed:

• 9 out of 10 Filipino respondents would like to work, live or travel differently if they had more flexibility at work.
• A third of Filipino respondents see travel as a way of life and want to integrate it into their lifestyle.
• 77% of Filipino respondents view post-pandemic ‘business travel’ as a way to combine leisure travel and remote work.
• 45% of Filipino respondents would rent out their homes and travel.

Airbnb is constantly improving its service to meet these new travel trends, and the new waves of guests they will bring. Today, Airbnb is introducing:

• I’m (even more) Flexible - Search for more unique homes up to 12 months in advance.
• Verified Wifi - Our new speed test tool verifies the speed of the wifi in a listing.
• Translation Engine - The most advanced translation technology ever offered to our community.
• Accessibility Review - Every accessibility feature is reviewed for 100% accuracy.
• Smarter Trips Tab - A redesigned Trips tab with all your must-have travel details.
• AirCover - Top-to-bottom protection. Free for every Host. Only on Airbnb.
• Ask a Superhost Expansion - Connects new Hosts to a Superhost in their area for 1:1 help.
  ...and 46 more upgrades.

“For Airbnb, 2021 has been a year of relentless innovation to refine our core service,” said Brian Chesky, CEO and Co-Founder of Airbnb. “This year, we’ve delivered more than 150 upgrades and innovations. Our design-driven approach means that we’re constantly improving our service to adapt to this changing world. For the first time ever, millions of people can now travel anytime, anywhere, for any length, and even live anywhere on Airbnb. This is a travel revolution.”

Making Travel even more Flexible

 Flexibility is one of the most important considerations for Filipinos when it comes to travel planning. Based on Airbnb’s YouGov polling, over a third of all Filipinos polled want to have flexibility in when, how and where they go as travel rebounds.

More are opting to go on flexible trips, including long weekend trips, off-peak travel and vacations closer to home. Notably, the most appealing destinations for respondents’ first trips are 1) a local beach destination within the Philippines, followed by 2) a destination within Asia and 3) a local city destination.

Earlier this year, Airbnb introduced I’m Flexible, a whole new way to search on Airbnb when guests are flexible about where or when they are traveling. Since then, guests have used I’m Flexible more than 500 million times. Due to the popularity of this feature, today Airbnb is making it even more flexible by expanding the date range guests can search to 12 months out (from six).

With workstations on the rise, fast and reliable wifi has also been more critical than ever before. In fact, this year guests on Airbnb have used the wifi filter more than 288 million times. Hosts can now test their listing’s internet connection from the Airbnb app and have their wifi speed verified. With this upgrade, guests can be confident that they won’t miss a Zoom or a favorite streaming show from their Airbnbs.

Improved Translations across 60 Languages 

Globally, Airbnb has seen cross-border travel increasing steadily through the year, from 20% of gross nights booked in the first quarter to 27% in the second and 33% in the third***. As cross-border travel returns, Airbnb’s new Translation Engine will provide a seamless experience for Hosts and guests in over 60 languages. Translation Engine removes the need for click-to-translate buttons by automatically translating listing descriptions and reviews. Based on results from a study across our top ten languages we commissioned by a top machine translation evaluation company, Translation Engine improves the quality of more than 99% of Airbnb listings.

Supporting more Accessible and Organised Travel

With Accessibility Review, Airbnb has developed an industry-leading approach to review the accuracy of features that make Airbnb homes more accessible for the disability community. Hosts simply submit photos of their accessibility features, which are then manually reviewed by a specialized team of Airbnb agents. To date, Airbnb agents have reviewed and confirmed the accuracy of 100,000 accessibility features in 25,000 homes around the world.

We’ve also redesigned the Trips tab to house all your must-have travel info in one convenient place. The smarter, more intuitive tab now features a handy countdown to your arrival, check-in details, current and upcoming reservations, and personalized Experiences suggestions.

Empowering Hosts more than Ever

More guests than ever before are choosing to stay in an Airbnb, which is leading to more people wanting to host to take advantage of this growing opportunity. To offer even more reassurance to our existing four million Hosts, and make it even easier for new Hosts to take that first big step, today we are introducing AirCover. Only Airbnb gives you AirCover, which provides top-to-bottom protection for every Airbnb Host with US$1 million in damage protection and US$1 million in liability coverage. AirCover also includes income loss protection, pet damage protection, deep cleaning protection, and more.

For prospective Hosts, Airbnb’s Ask a Superhost matches anyone interested in hosting with one of our most experienced Hosts for one-on-one helpSince launch, more than 60,000 prospective Hosts have used Ask a Superhost. Today, we’re expanding Ask a Superhost to over 30 languages in 196 countries, including the Philippines. Prospective Hosts can now be paired with Superhosts based on their location, language, and listing. As an added benefit, Superhosts can provide tips for completing a listing page and are there for you through your first booking.

AirCover, Accessibility Review, Verified Wifi, I’m (even more) Flexible, and Ask a Superhost Expansion are all available to everyone today. Translation Engine and Smarter Trips Tab will launch before the end of this year.

*Airbnb internal data from March 12, 2020 to September 30, 2021

**Findings from a YouGov survey of APAC Travel Trends surveying 1038 Filipinos, commissioned by Airbnb, from October 14 to 18, 2021.

***Airbnb internal data as of September 30, 2021.

 

All data in this release is for Q3 2021, and all comparisons are to Q3 2019, unless otherwise specified.

The G-Guide: Your Ultimate Guide For GLife’s Wanderful Week

 More and more merchants that fit the lifestyle you want to live; wander the world of GLife and enjoy limited time deals right in your GCash app!

Missing out on the thrill of travelling? GCash is here to show you that life can still be G, with GLife! Relive your favorite places, tastes and experiences when you shop for brands you love at discounts that will make your heart skip a beat this Wanderful Week, happening November 8-12 all inside your GCash app.

Here's the Ultimate G-Guide to help with coming out of that pandemic burnout and rediscovering your old (or new) self with a renewed sense of joy, one refreshing deal and exciting merchant at a time.

Five whole days of promos, treats, and goodies, from all the merchants that'll make you excited about life again! From food & drinks, to retail & essentials, home improvements, tech, and gaming, you can conveniently shop right in your GCash app!

GLife Wanderful Week Rundown

Day 1: Town of Feasts

Fight those Monday blues by taking a trip down the Town of Feasts with feel-good food and drinks in every corner. Kick off the brand new day and save P120 with an Exclusive Bundle of a Medium Mocha Froccino + 2 Cookies from Bo’s Coffee for only P350 or up to 20% OFF storewide from Dream Coffee. Whip up your own feast with 10% OFF on Ilocos Best and 50% OFF on the Citrus Bundle from Mayani. Treat yourself to an afternoon pick me up with up to 20% OFF on Gong Cha from Nov 8-11 and Buy 1 Get 1 of the same kind on Nov 12.

Day 2: Valley of Wellness

To be better prepared for the next normal, take bigger steps in your journey to better health in the Valley of Wellness by getting healthy from the inside with promo prices for Collection Cups and Party Sets all under P1000 from Go! Salads, up to 60% OFF and no minimum spend on Mediclick, and 10% OFF on all items on Healthmart available to all customers nationwide with no minimum spend and no maximum use. Don’t forget to take a breather once in a while. Feel relaxed and recharged while keeping your space clean and sanitized with FREE 50ML Lavender Mint Alcohol for every purchase of 5ML Lavender Mint Alcohol from Joy In A Bottle (maximum 3 per user and valid for all GCash users nationwide).

Day 3: City of Comfort

This time of coping has definitely highlighted the big role that self-care plays in keeping one’s self sane while trying to stay safe. In the City of Comfort, GLife makes sure to accommodate you with all that extra TLC. Pamper yourself and take a breather with up to P1,800 OFF on selected items from HairMNL, storewide free shipping and free shipping for orders P799 and above from Fully Booked. And for those home makeover enthusiasts out there, it’s not too late to invest in your dream home upgrades with up to 25% OFF on select services from Gawin, 15% OFF storewide with no minimum spend from Object Depot, major discounts & savings on innovative must-haves from Concepstore, and up to 80% OFF on select items plus P200 OFF with a minimum spend of P3,000 from All Home.

Day 4: Marketplace of Goodies

Stroll down the Marketplace of Goodies for all your great finds on GLife. Enjoy storewide 7.5% OFF no minimum spend on Communimart, 7% OFF on Puerto De Indias on Liquor PH, and up to 40% OFF on awesome items from Sijang Mart that A.R.M.Y. besties and samgyup stans will surely love including P158 OFF for BTS Coffee flavors, P200 OFF for BTS Lemona 20 sticks, 30% OFF on 1kg of Home Made Kimchi and 500g of USDA Beef Short Plate with no minimum spend. You can also get something for your precious fur babies to add to your goodie haul with 10% off storewide on Petmart, valid for nationwide customers with no maximum use.

Day 5: Kingdom of Games

Top off the week with a good dose of recreation courtesy of HobbyCorner with 20% OFF cashback for a min. spend of P500, 30% OFF + 5% OFF voucher plus a storewide 5% OFF on top of on top of the 40% OFF on discounted items from JBL, and up to 70% OFF on selected SKUs from Cherry.

All of these you can easily access right in your GCash app. If you don’t have the app yet, you can download it via The App Store or Google Play and easily register your number! 

Unlock your super life today with GLife.

DOT Taps Pinoys to be ‘Ambassadors of Fun’

Coinciding with the recent launch of the More Fun Awaits Campaign, the Department of Tourism (DOT) calls on Filipinos to be “Ambassadors of Fun” and promote their hometown’s tourist attractions using various social media platforms.

 Mt. Pulag, Benguet. Photo by Rio Lind (@heyitsmakee)

This is part of the DOT’s crowdsourcing campaign wherein netizens will become tour guides of their locale by posting their own virtual tours or sharing their own photos on their recommended destination, activity, or dishes.

The campaign aims to build interest on local destinations by assigning a weekly theme, such as must-visit destination, must-try activity, or must-sample cuisine, which will be the basis for the posts. It will tap both ordinary netizens and local content creators as ambassadors of fun.

Coron, Palawan. Photo by Ryan Ramal (@layag.palawan)

For netizens, they can choose a platform—Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—where they will post a photo or video of the destination/cuisine/activities in their area that they think should be experienced by tourists. The post should include the hashtags #MoreFunAwaits and #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines and must tag the official DOT social media pages.

Selected posts will be featured on DOT’s social media pages or used as part of promotional campaigns for international tourists.

 Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Photo by Sab (@sabrinuuuuuh)

The DOT has also collaborated with local content creators from different regions to share what’s new in their respective locales, such as the changes since the pre-pandemic period, new places or dishes they have discovered, and customs and traditions that continue to flourish or had been given a new twist to adapt to the new normal.

With more ambassadors of fun, the DOT sees the collaborative campaign as an effective way to show tourists, both local and foreign, what More Fun Awaits on their next trips to the different destinations in the country.

For more information about the More Fun Awaits campaign, and travel updates and advisories about the Philippines, visit www.morefunawaits.com.

Eco-friendly Millennial Resorts Pave the Way to Sustainability in Batangas

Crusoe Cabins are contemporary rooms constructed from upcycled container vans located at CaSoBē, Calatagan, Batangas

Inspired by Batangas’ coastal surroundings, the eco-friendly beach properties of Millennial Resorts feature designs focused on sustainability and provide guests with unconventional experiences and warmth of heartfelt Filipino hospitality.

Aquaria, a water park with a giant three-story pool slide at CaSoBē, is operated with Millennial Resorts’ resource efficiency design featuring the use of water reduction system. 

For its resource efficiency design, this hospitality group which is a sister company of Landco Pacific Corp., is registered for the prestigious EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification.

Landco President and CEO Erickson Y. Manzano shown at Crusoe Cabins. He leads Landco’s over-all sustainability initiatives.

“Ingrained in Landco’s DNA is our commitment to long-term social, economic and environmental sustainability in premium property developments for more than 30 years across the country. We do it, first and foremost, because it is the right thing to do.  This is evident in our latest Leisure Tourism Estates in Batangas – 15-hectare CaSoBē and 24-hectare Club Laiya, both of which are LEED Registered, and the management of Millennial Resorts which provide the leisure and hotel operations in these properties,” stated Erickson Y. Manzano, President and CEO, Landco.

Landco Senior Consultant for Hospitality Patrick C. Gregorio showcases the Cocoons. He oversees Millennial Resorts’ sustainability measures

“The EDGE registration of Millennial Resorts along with our measures to reduce our ecological footprint demonstrates Landco’s leadership and advocacy in green hospitality. Our goal is to ensure the stewardship and sustainability of Batangas as one of the country’s prime tourist destinations,” emphasized Patrick C. Gregorio, Senior Consultant for Hospitality, Landco.

Millennial Resorts owns and operates experiential resort accommodations, Crusoe Cabins and Cocoons, which are situated in the master-planned Landco Beachtowns CaSoBē (Calatagan South Beach) and Club Laiya, Laiya, San Juan Batangas, both approximately a two-three-hour drive from Metro Manila.

CaSoBē offers a relaxed and intimate beachside destination, while Club Laiya is a vibrant hotspot for those who like to have an active beachside lifestyle; and socialize with friends and groups who share their interests.

Both properties highlight resource-efficient designs which include LED lighting fixtures and water-efficient showers and faucets. The rooms are airconditioned, have access to a strong WI-FI connection and provisions for modern comforts. Natural sunlight and airflow are also maximized for efficient use of lighting and air conditioning.

Situated in CaSoBē and Millennial Resorts’ flagship brand, Crusoe Cabins are contemporary rooms constructed from upcycled container vans and refreshed with rustic and beachy exteriors that blend in with the relaxing coastline of Calatagan.

 Millennial Resorts’ guests can contribute in the reduction of carbon footprint by utilizing the bike lanes around the beachside properties.

Cocoons are pod-like rooms made of refurbished giant concrete pipes with bright painted murals on its exterior highlighting the diverse marine life of Calatagan and Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. These surreal-like rooms are available in both CaSoBē and Club Laiya.

Cocoons, located at CaSoBē and Club Laiya are refurbished giant concrete pipes built as pod-like rooms for an intimate and cozy overnight stay. It is iconic for its vibrantly painted murals on its exterior celebrating the diverse marine life of Calatagan and Laiya.

Millennial Resorts guests are also provided with the option to go paperless. Check-in and check-out requests for housekeeping services and room service maybe be done through the hotel’s proprietary Milli App. With Millennial Resorts’ resource-efficient design, water reduction measures are also undertaken at Aquaria, a water park with a giant three-story pool slide at CaSoBē and Laiya Beach Club near Club Laiya.

Exciting new facilities will soon open such as Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, Canopy and The Isle -- venues for events, and Colony, a beachside co-working space.

As part of a broader community, adventure seekers and visitors at Cocoons and Crusoe Cabins can take part in the resorts’ initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint by utilizing the development’s pedestrian friendly tree-lined walkways and scenic bike lanes around the beachside properties.

Millennial Resorts is continuing its efforts for greater resource efficiency design in its operations to eventually qualify for EDGE certification.

EDGE is an innovation of International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. EDGE is an international green building registration and certification in about 160 countries and encourages solutions to reduce energy, water and the energy used to make building materials.

Landco Pacific Corp. is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. For more information about Landco and its Millennial Resorts and Leisure Tourism Estates Club Laiya and CaSoBē, visit https://www.landco.ph/ or FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation.

MVP Beyond the Suit - Advocacy for Tourism

 A pause to recharge or reimagining a future that empowers Filipinos to co-build a more robust tourism industry in Batangas, Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) is not your conventional business leader as he strikes a balance of both endeavors.

MVP walked around CaSoBe and inspected Cocoons, the unique capsule-like rooms designed with a mural of sea creatures.

As Chairman of the infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and other numerous companies that provide essential services, MVP stays on top of the company’s COVID-19 response in support of the government efforts. At the same time, he jumpstarts the preparedness of the Philippine economy to bounce back from the global health crisis with his vision for tourism in Batangas.

MVP leads his team to have courage in facing the future with bright prospects through the uncertainties. He does all these while he visits the pristine beauty of the Landco’s latest Leisure Tourism Estates (LTE) – the 15-hectare Calatagan South Beach, better known as CaSoBē.

“Through Landco Pacific Corp.’s latest beachside projects: CaSoBē and Club Laiya, I take pride in promoting Batangas as one of the country’s top tourist destinations. These properties are responsibly developed to preserve the cultural and natural features of the place; provide employment for locals; and give Filipinos an opportunity to recover from these unprecedented times by not just building their dream beach homes but opting to create Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that cater to the tourism market,” MVP stated.

Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), Chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (center) together with Landco President and CEO Erickson Manzano (right) visited the pristine beach of CaSoBe.

Architect's Perspective of CaSoBe.

These master-planned estates are the newest projects of upscale real estate developer Landco, a subsidiary of MPIC. These developments under Landco BeachTowns are close to MVP’s heart as he foresees these lively leisure and tourism destinations in Batangas as the next big thing. The country’s answer to some of the world’s most vibrant beachside destinations: Ibiza, Spain; Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Capri, Italy.

For more than three decades, Landco made its mark in developing exclusive and luxurious properties around the country. One of its leading projects is Peninsula de Punta Fuego, a premiere luxury seaside residential community situated on the 88-hectare of pristine coastline in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Leveraging on tourism as one of the key drivers for the country’s growth when it emerges from these challenging times, Landco with the leadership of MVP, envisions a revolutionary and innovative new concept.

Crusoe Cabins is Millennial Resorts’ unique beachfront accommodation at CaSoBe.

Landco CEO Erickson Y. Manzano supports MVP’s vision to position the LTE as thriving and inclusive seaside communities in the travel and leisure destination of Batangas, inspiring entrepreneurship and work-life harmony.

“It’s a gamechanger approach. Instead of making it exclusive, it’s open to the tourism market but remains aspirational and premium,” said Manzano. “It presents an opportunity for budding Filipino entrepreneurs or those who would like to work closer with nature. Eventually, the place will not just be a hotspot for local tourists but for inbound travelers from abroad,” he added.

CaSoBē offers a mix of seaside residential homes, and beachside retail and commercial establishments. There’s a Retail Row, a Harbour Walk, and an Activity Block – with lot sizes ranging from 356 square meters to 890 square meters. All these lots are near the beach and paved with pedestrian streets. There’s a common area estate WIFI, 24/7 security with CCTV, a beach promenade and a hotel-inspired property management service.

It's is a haven for those who prefer more privacy and a laidback and intimate lifestyle. It is near Cape Santiago lighthouse, a golf course, Little Boracay sandbar, Starfish island and the underwater pyramid.

Located on the other side of the Batangas coastline, the 24-hectare Club Laiya features a combination of residential and commercial-ready lots in the tourist spot of San-Juan Laiya Road. It’s a choice destination for the stylish and chic leisure seekers who love to work on their tan, get into water sports and hangout in the hottest party scenes. A row of diverse resorts, restaurants and bars already dots its shores.

Two to three hours away from Metro Manila, CaSoBē and Club Laiya are both LEED-registered with Landco’s commitment for long-term environmental sustainability.

MVP attests to CaSoBē’s significance as a tourist destination and an ideal work from the beach venue in the new normal. His business calendar was filled with Zoom meetings and online conferences with a seaside view and assistance by the warm and friendly local staff.

Aquaria is Millennial Resorts’ waterpark with a three-story giant slide at CaSoBe.

Helmed by Landco’s Senior Consultant for Hospitality Patrick C. Gregorio, the Edge-registered Millennial Resorts Corporation (MRC) is the hospitality service provider within the LTE. MRC owns and operates unconventional accommodations: Cocoons and Crusoe Cabins, select leisure facilities: Laiya Beach Club at Club Laiya and Aquaria, a waterpark with a three-story giant slide at CaSoBē These are the tourism attractions for which the properties are known for.

Landco projects are in line with MPIC’s commitment to help achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; and strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

For MVP, coming home to a tropical paradise in these LTE is a breeze. It’s going to be the newest trend in the travel industry.

For more information about Landco and its Millennial Resorts and Leisure Tourism Estates Club Laiya and CaSoBē, visit https://www.landco.ph/ or FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation.

Airbnb encourages Pinoys to #TravelAsJuan, as travel searches surge for beachside and nature destinations near Metro Manila

 ●     New Airbnb data shows spike in domestic demand for stays after recent easing of travel restrictions; trending destinations include Zambales, Batangas and Tagaytay

●     More Filipinos are searching for getaways lasting a week or longer, at family-friendly villas
and bed and breakfasts

Manila, Philippines,  October 2021 - Airbnb launched its new #TravelAsJuan campaign that aims to energize the Philippines’s tourism recovery throughout the remainder of 2021 and beyond. As part of the campaign, the company is encouraging Filipinos to rediscover their country with their loved ones, while celebrating unique stays and hidden gems across the nation. The #TravelAsJuan campaign also aligns with the Department of Tourism’s 2022 plan to rebuild a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive domestic tourism industry

Responding to the Department of Tourism’s call for Filipinos to become “Ambassadors of Fun”, Airbnb’s #TravelAsJuan will work closely with its community of #AirbnbJuanderers including Filipino Hosts and local content creators. They will shine a light on the country’s off-the-beaten-path destinations, from lesser-known beaches to mountainous getaways and farms, as well as tips for safer travel. The campaign will kickstart by highlighting destinations where intra- and inter-state travel are currently allowed and expand to cover more destinations as more cities and provinces reopen.

 Airbnb is already seeing surging interest in domestic stays as Filipinos look forward to traveling with the platform once more, following the recent easing of travel restrictions. In September, searches for Airbnb Stays in Zambales spiked by over 100% month-over-month* after the government announced travel rules allowing Metro Manila residents to travel to areas under more relaxed quarantine rules. In the same period, searches for Airbnb Stays in Batangas and Tagaytay also almost doubled month-over-month*.

Beachside and nature destinations, especially locations within driving distance of Metro Manila, remain popular among Filipinos. Zambales and Batangas, both popular for their beaches and coves, along with nature-based destinations Tagaytay, Pampanga, and Baguio, are currently the top five trending destinations among Filipino guests on Airbnb. This follows key findings from a YouGov survey conducted earlier in the year, which found that Filipinos want to travel to nature retreats and places within driving distance once they can get back on the road.

The easing of travel restrictions has spurred Filipinos to quickly plan for upcoming trips with their family and loved ones. While Filipino guests on Airbnb are largely searching for Stays with a duration of 1-6 nights, there is a growing trend towards longer domestic getaways of one week and longer, to make up for the past year spent at home. Larger family-friendly Stays are also increasing in popularity, as Filipino guest searches for villas and bed-and-breakfasts spiked by more than 50% month-over-month*. 

As Filipinos eagerly make their travel plans, Gen Zs and Millennials who make up 68% of Airbnb’s community of new Hosts who came onboard the platform in the first half of this year are looking forward to welcoming fellow Pinoys into their homes**.

Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Airbnb shares: “Filipinos are eagerly anticipating the return of domestic travel, and search trends on Airbnb indicate a strong, positive uptick in travel sentiment as restrictions ease. With our wide variety of unique stays hosted by locals across the Philippines, Airbnb offers something for everyone through our #TravelasJuan campaign, which highlights the wonderful places, experiences and communities that make the Philippines such an incredible place to experience for both locals and visitors alike. Airbnb is committed to being a good partner to the government to rejuvenate the country’s tourism sector; and help drive travel that is more diverse, resilient, and empowering for more people and communities than ever before.”

Safety remains a priority

Health and safety remain a top priority for travelers as they search for upcoming travel accommodation. To that end, Airbnb introduced the Enhanced Clean protocol in June last year, the first overarching standardized guidelines for cleaning and sanitization in the home-sharing industry. Endorsed by the World Travel and Tourism Council, the protocol helps guide Hosts across the Philippines to provide safer and cleaner accommodation for guests.

Airbnb also recently announced a partnership with global provider Sherpa, an online tool that provides travelers with real-time travel information on their destinations. Travelers can access information on COVID-19 related requirements including testing, quarantining and social distancing guidelines. This will help guests plan their trips more effectively as they continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 regulations.

Note:

*Based on internal Airbnb guest search data in September 2021, as compared to August 2021.

**Based on internal Airbnb data from January to June 2021.

 

PH cited Asia’s top beach and dive destination anew in 2021 World Travel Awards

 The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) announced today that the Philippines is, once again, Asia's leading beach destination and Asia’s leading dive destination at the 28th World Travel Awards (WTA).

“We are elated that the country’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots have once again been cited as the best in Asia by the prestigious 2021 World Travel Awards. We share this recognition with our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and all Filipinos who have been helping us promote our country’s attractions, products, and culture,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

Panglao Island, located in Bohol Sea in Central Visayas, is a famous tourist destination known for its

white-sand beaches and world-class diving sites. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

This is the Philippines’ fifth time to win Asia's Leading Beach Destination and the third time in a row since 2019 to win Asia’s Leading Dive Destination award.

The Philippines is still in the running for the following World categories of the 28th World Travel Awards:

● World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021: Philippines

● World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021: Philippines

● World’s Leading Island Destination 2021: Siargao, Philippines

● World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021: Intramuros, Philippines

● World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Philippines, Department of Tourism

Voting runs until midnight of October 25, 2021 via https://www.worldtravelawards.com/.

Siargao Island, a popular surfing destination, is home to unspoiled white sand beaches. Photo by Beautiful Destinations, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The WTA aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

“This will boost our efforts to keep the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination for foreign tourists as we await the resumption of international leisure travel to the country, consistent with our “More Fun Awaits” global campaign,” said Puyat..

Some of the country’s top beach destinations, such as Boracay in Aklan, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, and El Nido and Amanpulo in Palawan, have already opened to domestic tourists and are ready to welcome foreign tourists once international borders reopen.

El Nido is a Philippine municipality on Palawan Island. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines for its absolutely stunning islands and beaches. Photo by Erwin Lim, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Moreover, the PDOT has developed many of the country’s beach destinations, as well as new and existing dive circuits and is constantly identifying potential destinations that may be developed for dive tourism. Top diving spots in the country include the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu, Balicasag, Panglao and Anda in Bohol, and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.

Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life, and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. Photos by Robert Yin.

Anilao in Batangas has some of the best scuba diving for underwater photography in the world, particularly for rare underwater critters and new species of fish. Photo by Evelyn Go, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Sombrero Reef in Batangas is a diving site where gorgonians, black coral, shells, rays, grunts, jacks, snappers, and a great variety of soft corals are scattered all over the place. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The Department also ensures that the safety of visitors remains is prioritized with the strict implementation of health protocols in destinations that have opened their doors to guests. Meanwhile, more than half or about 65.53% of tourism workers in the country have already received their Covid-19 jabs as of October 16.

For more updates and information on the DOT’s campaigns and programs, please visit www.morefunawaits.com.