Balitang America Travels: Philippine Tourism Stimulus Package Extended

Americans are spending less money on travel this year, which means providers are cutting prices to compete for your business. If you've managed to save some money for a vacation, now may be the right time to find a good deal to the Philippines. In my "Travels" segment on April 13th on Balitang America, I highlighted the Philippine Tourism Stimulus Package again -- just in case you missed it the first time back on March 9th.

Originally scheduled to end on May 23rd, the deal has been extended to June 10th. Still priced starting at $999, the Stimulus Package includes round-trip airfare to Manila on Philippine Airlines (from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas), two nights in Manila at a luxury hotel (breakfasts included), and a one-way transfer between the airport and your hotel. If you book your stay at the Dusit Thani Manila, Discovery Suites or Diamond Hotel then you now get an extra third night for free.

Check out the Philippines official tourism website to find the contact information for the consolidators and travel agents that can help you book this package. If you purchase your ticket from Mango Tours, you are also issued a free raffle ticket for a drawing to be held on July 4th. The winner of will receives a free round-trip ticket from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Manila courtesy of Mango Tours.

Remember, the rainy season starts in June, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of traveling to the Philippines at this time of year. But if you are itching to get away this summer, contact your travel agent to see what discounts are being offered on tour packages, airfare and hotel accommodations. You may be pleasantly surprised at how many deals you have to choose from.

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Video: Party in Manila with Mango Tours

This Travels segment on Spring Break originally aired on March 2nd. It highlighted a specific package offered by Mango Tours, the segment sponsor and travel agency specializing in trips to the Philippines. Their spring break trip kicks off on April 15th.



Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Balitang America Travels: Philippine Entry/Visa Requirements

If you're planning to take a trip to the Philippines, you will want to make sure you've got the entry and visa requirements covered. You will need a visa depending on how long you stay in the country, and the rules differ for U.S. citizens and residents. I discussed this and other requirements in my March 16th "Travels" segment on Balitang America.

It's simple for U.S. citizens who need just their passports to enter the Philippines. That's if they will be staying for 21 days. Anything beyond that requires a visa. However, if you are a U.S. citizen traveling with parents who are former Philippine citizens, then you can be in the country visa-free for up to a year as part of the balikbayan program; this same rule applies for U.S. citizen spouses traveling with their husband or wife who is a former Philippine citizen.

For U.S. legal permanent residents who are Philippine citizens, the requirements include a green card for re-entry into the the States and a Philippine passport. By 2010, these passport holders will need to have the new machine-readable passports, also known as MRPs.

To Apply for an MRP:

* Appear in person at the closest Philippine consulate, the embassy in Washington, D.C. or at qualified processing centers like Mango Tours

* Provide 2 passport photos with royal blue as the background

* Fill out an application form

* Pay the $50 fee

Processing can take up to 6 weeks, so plan ahead. U.S. citizens who are non-balikbayans and will be staying beyond 21 days need to get a visa which allows them to stay in the country for up to 59 days.

To Apply for a Visa for U.S. Citizens (who are non-balikbayans):

* Appear at the closest Philippine consulate or the embassy in Washington, D.C.

* Provide 2 standard passport photos

* Fill out a visa application

* Show U.S. passport and a copy of trip itinerary

* Pay the $50 visa fee

For more information, visit the Philippine Embassy’s website at www.philippineembassy-usa.org or call your local Philippine Consulate.

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Balitang America Travels: Philippine Travel Stimulus Package

It may take time for Obama's stimulus package to kick in, but the tourism industry isn't one to wait. In fact tour operators, travel agencies and other providers have been quick to come up with their own travel "stimulus packages." I mentioned one such deal in my March 9th "Travels" segment.

Priced at $999, the Philippine Stimulus Package gets you roundtrip airfare from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas to Manila via Philippine Airlines, one-way transport from the airport to the hotel or vice versa and daily breakfast. Included is a two-night, three-day stay at one of the participating five-star hotels, namely the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Crowne Plaza Galleria, Diamond Hotel or the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel. The fuel surcharge and U.S. taxes are already included in the price.

There's also a choice of excursion add-ons for three nights or four days starting at $370 to places like Boracay. Other destinations that can be added to the basic stimulus package include Bohol, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu or Palawan. Even with these extras, the Philippine Department of Tourism says this package is 30-40 percent lower than anything they've ever offered.

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.