Page 45 - 2017 KA'AKBAY January-June

45January to June
2017

Beauty of Philippine Islands Promoted at
New York Times Travel Show

With three Philippine Islands – Boracay (#1),
Palawan (#2), and Cebu (#5) – ranking among the top
island destinations in the world according to Conde
Nast’s Traveler’s 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards, the
Philippines’ island destinations and other natural
attractions were featured at the Philippine booth during
the New York Times Travel Show held at Jacob Javits
Convention Center on 27-29 January 2017.

On hand to welcome and assist visitors at the
booth were the Philippine Department of Tourism in New
York (PDOT-NY) led by Ms. Zeny Pallugna and the
Philippine Consulate General in New York led by Consul
Felipe F. Carino III. Also addressing guest queries at the
booth were officials of Philippine Airlines and travel/tour
operator Ms. Zoila Mendoza.

Upper Left Photo: Officers of the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York (PDOT-NY) Anchor destinations in the Philippines, as well

led by Ms. Zeny Pallugna (2nd from left) and the Philippine Consulate General (NYPCG) led as several diving spots, such as Palawan, Bohol, and
by Consul Felipe Carino (far right) at the Philippine booth of the 2017 New York Times
Travel Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Also joining them is Boracay were highlighted. In particular, many guests
travel/tour operator Ms. Zoila Mendoza (2nd from right) and Mr. Wendell Gaa (far left), inquired about Palawan, which has been emerging as a
economic assistant at the Consulate. Upper Right-Lower Right Photo (clockwise): PDOT- popular international island resort due to its reputation as
NY, NYPCG and Philippine Airlines officials assist various guests at the Philippine booth. a harbor for such natural attractions as the Puerto

Princesa Underground River, as well as Boracay Island.

The New York Times Travel Show is a three-day event featuring nearly 500 exhibitors representing over 150
countries.

Manila Hotels Cited At Forbes Travel Guide 2017 Star Rating Awards

The prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Star Ratings Awards cited several
Manila-based hotels for its 2017 Honor Roll at ceremonies held in New York City on
March 2, 2017.

The Forbes Travel Guide pioneered the 5-Star rating system for hotels,
resorts and allied entertainment and leisure establishments and its annual listing is
highly anticipated by the global travel industry.

Manila marked its inclusion in the Forbes Destination List with two 5-Star

Hotel ratings for Marco Polo Ortigas Manila and

Sky Tower at Solaire Resort and Casino. Four

Solaire SVP for Operations Rajesh Jhingon accepts the properties namely, Fairmont Makati, Hyatt City of
Forbes 5-star Rating award for Sky Tower at Solaire Dreams Manila, Raffles Makati, Sofitel Philippine
Resort and Casino
Plaza Manila were rated 4-Stars while Makati

Shangri-La Manila and Pan Pacific Manila were

designated as recommended hotels.

In addition to getting star ratings and being included for the first time in the Forbes
Travel Ratings Guide Destination List, Forbes Travel just published an article dubbing Manila
as the “Next Luxury Destination” owing to the upwards economic growth, the establishment
of luxury hotel, resort, spa, and gaming complexes, luxury retail presence as well as growing
experiential luxury travel experiences.

Forbes Travel Guide now rates properties in 42 countries throughout the Americas, L-R Mr. Gianpietro Iseppi - VP of Hotel
Operations Solaire, Dir. for Housekeeping
Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions with ratings to include the Middle East and Africa in

2018. The newly-added destinations for 2017 include Bali, Barcelona, Bogota, Budapest, Marimil Q. Ermita and SVP for Operations
Cartagena, County Kildare in Ireland, Dublin, Kyoto, Lima, Lisbon, Manila, Melbourne, Monte Rajesh Jhingon at the Forbes Awards
Night Reception in NY City
Carlo, Munich, Osaka, Santiago, Seoul, St. Tropez, Sydney, Venice, and Zurich.