Why our Dive Industry does not get too much exposure in North America?

[eagerbeaver]

When I went to Cambodia, I loved it because I felt like I was walking into an Indiana Jones movie, some parts of PI make me feel like Jacques Cousteau. Sell it to people who want to live the adventures of their heroes. I think you get my point.
Z...

A very good point, well made.

But to play devils advocate for a second...as a profit making business isn't the idea to maximise your income by selling to as many people as possible at the higest price possible. If this can be done by having power 24hrs and drinkable water then why not do that?

So the point is there are some businesses targeted at Indiana Jones, and some at Paris Hilton...without both where would we be?

 

[Zeeman]

A very good point, well made.

But to play devils advocate for a second...as a profit making business isn't the idea to maximise your income by selling to as many people as possible at the higest price possible. If this can be done by having power 24hrs and drinkable water then why not do that?

So the point is there are some businesses targeted at Indiana Jones, and some at Paris Hilton...without both where would we be?

Yes, I see what you mean, and I agree. Though it is very expensive to go from Indiana Jones to Paris Hilton - and while PI very much has the potential for both, the PI govt really does have far more troubles than worrying about promoting tourism to Paris Hilton - or Indiana...

Point is, PI has the facilities to keep the adventure tourist happy NOW, so, promote to that market now, and develop as time and money permits for the glam tourist who wants the bells and whistles and 24 hr power.

Phil mentioned he did want PI to be a tourist haven for all styles of tourist, which is great, but you have to start with what you have and get to where you want to be. There are a few places - El Nido ( El Nido Resorts - We turn holidays into distinctive lifestyle experiences )in Palawan is an example, that will cater to the high end. I'm sure more will pop up if given half a chance. But remember, Indiana Jones needs to find the Lost City before Paris can build her condo there.

Z...

 

[Hank49]

The Philippines has enough islands and land to cater to the whole spectrum of tourist types. El Nido, Boracay and the future "Boy and Hank's Adventure Dives" in Anani'i, where you stay in a nipa hut on the beach and go out to Piedra Blanca, Sombero etc etc. Hard core diver type vacation. Just off of Panay and Negros within 40 miles, there are so many little islands...and so little time....

 

[Xizang]

I think there is a market for both,

The high-value, low-volume market
Diver
top rates, highest quality and standard
Operator
high margins, low traffic

The low-value, high-volume market
Diver
low rates, standard to sub-standard quality
Operator
low margins, high traffic

 

[bisugo767]

I am coming....see you on on Feb. 2009. However, as I am living in Canada right now, the only thing I can do is research for data from here. The real stuff happens during my actual trip. But, having spend my growing years in Pasig, I do know what local life, business, politics, etc. is all about. I am just missing out on the dive industry.

Believe me, I would like to spend a lot of time in Pinas especially now that I am diving. However, I am limited by time (only a handful of vacation days) and resources (plane fare is expensive, at least $1,500 round trip per person). This planned trip on 2009 will be my sabattical from work. I am planning to stay for 3 to 4 months to cool off and get my mind off work. I am also planning to take my DM course while in PI.

Phil (bisugo767)

i am just thinking... why don't you come over to PI and dive our dive sites? its always easier to understand the problem or the challenges or the opportunities if you have the personal feel of what you are trying to promote. seriously.

 

[bisugo767]

Zeeman,

Yes, this thread has helped me fill-in some uncertainties and it has confirmed by own theories as to why the Philippines lacks exposure in North America. Thanks for everyone's marvelous feedback!

Now to answer your question about why I am obsessed with American tourists. No, I am not obsessed about Americans. I am, however, obsessed with the question of why Pinas does not get too much exposure in North America (Canada, US and Mexico, technically). i just sound obsessed with Americans because I live here and I notice that the Philippines does lack exposure here in North America. Is the Philippines getting that much exposure from Australia and Russia? I do not know because I have not lived in those places so no data.

Zee, don't get me wrong when I say I am for the development of the tourism industry and I want to see a thriving local tourism-based economy. I am saddened that the Philippines which was once the center of rice production in Asia has sunk into a dismal state of importing rice from China and elsewhere. Sugar and garlic are now being imported when it was once abundant locally! The Philippine government is putting their leg up on their desks just because Overseas Foreign Workers (OFW) are generating $15B a year for them while they let the quality of education sink lower and lower. If we can improve the tourism economy in various parts of the country, this would help de-congest metropolitan cities, generate more jobs, and cut the exportation of skilled labour that is draining the Philippines of high-quality citizens. Of course, with development comes the mega-resorts. But, the Philippines has so much to offer that some places can be for luxury tourists while there will be other places left for the back-packer-type tourists. Something for everyone. Everyone can have their cake and it it, too.

Phil (bisugo767)

It seems to me you have kind of answered your own question in a lot of ways here.

Phil, I have to ask.. how often do you go to PI, and have you been to the place a tourist may visit? Not 8 or 10 years ago, but within the last 3 - 5 years? My question is why does it HAVE to be the Us tourist? why not Russians? The new money in Eastern Europe? Even the Aussies?

 

[bisugo767]

Jon,

I admire Richard Gordon a lot. Take a look at what he did to Angeles City. The DOT came to life with him on the helm. I wish he would run for President!

Phil (bisugo767)

ditto.

just a word of caution phil if you're thinking that PI department of tourism will be the same without senator gordon think again. wow philippines (in my sig) is the brainchild of senator gordon. after him the campaign was lost...it was during his time that you'll see the ads on cnn and that really gave us exposure. what remains is a website with very little info. makes you think what his successors have been doing all these years.

 

[bisugo767]

I agree, I agree!

Phil (bisugo767)

The Philippines has enough islands and land to cater to the whole spectrum of tourist types. El Nido, Boracay and the future "Boy and Hank's Adventure Dives" in Anani'i, where you stay in a nipa hut on the beach and go out to Piedra Blanca, Sombero etc etc. Hard core diver type vacation. Just off of Panay and Negros within 40 miles, there are so many little islands...and so little time....

I think there is a market for both,

The high-value, low-volume market
Diver
top rates, highest quality and standard
Operator
high margins, low traffic

The low-value, high-volume market
Diver
low rates, standard to sub-standard quality
Operator
low margins, high traffic

 

[Mr. Blues]

I am coming....see you on on Feb. 2009. However, as I am living in Canada right now, the only thing I can do is research for data from here. The real stuff happens during my actual trip. but, having spend my growing years in Pasig, I do know what local life, business, politics, etc. is all about. I am just missing out on the dive industry.

Believe me, I would like to spend a lot of time in Pinas especially now that I am diving. However, I am limited by time (only a handful of vacation days) and resources (plane fare is expensive, at least $1,500 round trip per person).

Phil (bisugo767)

What region will you be diving? Bohol? Southern Leyte? and for how long?
It will be interesting to hear your views and experiences compared to other places you have dived, and of course putting that into perspective with your thread.
Needless to say there is wealth of information on this forum if you need
any help. You might even have difficulty narrowing down the field of so many options.
Let us know if you want suggestions.

 

[bisugo767]

Mr. Blues,

Thanks for the generous offer. I will surely keep it in mind. I am still in the planning stage and am not putting too much thought on it yet. With the looming threat of a US recession (I hope it does not happen!), I may or may not go through with my sabattical. For sure, the bustling and bullish Canadian economy will be dragged down in the event the US economy goes into recession. I might end up losing my job. However, who knows, it may be a good time to go on a sabattical if that happens. I will start planning six months before my planned departure date. For sure, I would like to explore dive sites off Ilocos Norte and Cagayan Norte. but, I may change my mind and go Visyas island hopping instead to get a good feel of the thriving dive industry down there and soak up the nice underwater scenery. I am also interested to go around Palawan and see how that part of the country is doing. I may consider taking my DM course in Anilao or PG, undecided yet. Depends on how much money I can save up. Anilao is convenient from my Mom's place (Pasig which means free food and lodging). If I go off to some far place, I will have to shoulder the expenses. I do have relatives that I need to visit, if time permits, in Leyte (Catbalogan and Tacloban) and Cebu so I am sure I can crash with them if needed (ha, ha, now I feel like a free-loader!)

I am sure when the time is right, I can count on you, PPD and this forum to help me iron out my itinerary. And, maybe, get me discounts

Phil (bisugo767)

What region will you be diving? Bohol? Southern Leyte? and for how long?
It will be interesting to hear your views and experiences compared to other places you have dived, and of course putting that into perspective with your thread.
Needless to say there is wealth of information on this forum if you need
any help. You might even have difficulty narrowing down the field of so many options.
Let us know if you want suggestions.