A SIGNIFICANT portion of the Philippines’ 2012 infrastructure budget of PHP 182.2 billion (US$4.28 billion) has been earmarked for the development of airports, roads, and bridges to increase tourist influx into the country.

Development of access roads to airports and “roll-on/roll-off” ports to key destinations like Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Bicol and Cebu have an allotment of PHP 8.1 billion.

PHP 1.2 billion will be channeled towards building the new Bohol Airport in Panglao, while PHP 1 billion will be spent on upgrading Puerto Princesa International Airport.

The National Parks Development Committee, which takes care of Rizal Park, will receive PHP 37.6 million for development and maintenance of parks around the country, with another PHP 4.5 million for arts promotion and cultural activities.

The Intramuros Administration will receive PHP 2.1 million for cultural property conservation efforts and PHP 3.4 million for tourism promotions.

Within the Department of Tourism (DOT), PHP 762.4 million will be spent on international promotions, PHP 12.5 million on local tourism promotions, and PHP 18.6 million on the Philippine pavilion at the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu, South Korea.

Meanwhile, the DOT’s year-end arrival figures reveal that the Philippines received 3.91 million visitors last year, an 11.28 per cent increase over 2010’s 3.52 million, and 4.6 per cent higher than DOT’s target of 3.7 million.

HAVING identified a potential growth segment in Asia-Pacific’s MICE industry, global hotel chain Marriott International is making moves to sharpen its forte in serving the corporate travel and events segment.

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, Paul Rushton, who spearheads the company’s MICE efforts as regional director of MICE sales Asia-Pacific (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 6, 2012), said his action plan includes intensive market research, partnerships with NTOs in marketing destinations where Marriott properties are located, and creating brand-specific strategies.

Explaining the ramped-up focus on the regional MICE market, Rushton said: “The outlook for MICE is fairly positive this year. There are some global economic uncertainties, but 80 per cent of the Asia-Pacific market book (travel) within the region, and this region is doing quite well economically.”

When asked about Marriott International’s refreshed MICE targets, Rushton said: “We are not putting numbers down, although we are expecting growth this year. We saw year-on-year growth from 2010 to 2011 due to (hotel network) expansion. We have 46 large convention-type hotels now in Asia-Pacific (out of 130 hotels overall). China and India saw the biggest business and property progress. Our focus will be on Asia-Pacific – 80 per cent of our attention will be on our own backyard and 20 per cent further afield.

“At the same time, we want to generate more longhaul business from the US, Europe and the Middle East. The longhaul market is still important, as its travellers stay longer and have more elaborate events. The market also has longer lead times,” he added.

Rushton said market research data, obtained from the new generation of MICE buyers, would shape future strategies for property development and sales and marketing.

“We are building a clear understanding of meeting clients today and in the future. The meeting planner today wants technology in his events, demands that hotels submit proposals immediately as time is lacking, and wants an event space that can energise his event in an informal setting. Yet, one need remains constant – the need for service excellence.”

Rushton said the findings thus far had influenced the company’s design of future meeting and convention-type hotels.

“The Renaissance brand, for instance, is already making its meeting spaces more conducive for modern events,” he said.

– Read more in TTGmice, April issue

JETSTAR Japan expects to take to the skies ahead of schedule on July 3, 2012, with operations to five Japanese destinations.

Tokyo (Narita) – the airline’s first base – as well as Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa will be served by a fleet of three new Airbus A320 aircraft.

Jetstar Japan CEO Miyuki Suzuki said the carrier was preparing for strong customer demand when fares finally go on sale.

Since the start of 2012, Jetstar has announced 36 additional weekly international flights, or more than 6,000 extra seats, to and from Japan.

AGAINST the backdrop of Peach Aviation, AirAsia Japan and Jetstar Japan launching flights this year, Tokyo’s Ibaraki Airport is eyeing a slice of the aviation pie.

According to Kazunori Katsutani, director of Airport Promotion from Ibaraki Prefectural Government, the airport is tring to convince Jin Air, Air Busan, T-way Airlines and Eastar Airlines from South Korea, as well as Cebu Pacific Air and AirPhil Express from the Philippines of its value proposition, and is “prepared to offer assistance to interested low-cost carriers”.

Ibaraki Airport is located 80km northeast of central Tokyo and is accessible via a limousine bus service, which costs 500 Japanese Yen (US$6.40) for a one-way trip. The area within a 100km radius of the airport boasts a catchment population of 19.8 million.

Besides having slots for most parts of the day except 12:30-13:30 hrs, the airport is able to offer savings for airlines through landing charges which are lower than those at Narita and Haneda Airports. Its single-storey terminal has complimentary parking facilities for up to 1,300 vehicles.

Airlines with existing operations at Ibaraki Airport include China’s Spring Airlines and Japan’s Skymark Airlines. Asiana Airlines’ service from Seoul is temporarily suspended due to last year’s earthquake and tsunami.