MANILA, Feb. 15 (PNA) — The Palace said it is elated by the Forbes magazine report that makes the Philippines one of the top retirement havens in the world.
“Ikinakagalak po natin ang pahayag na ito ng isang reputable na pahayagan, ang Forbes, at ito ay dapat na maging basehan upang tayo ay higit pang magpunyagi sa pagpapaganda ng investment climate sa ating bansa,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a radio interview on Sunday.
Coloma said Forbes’ ranking is based on different factors such as cost of living, taxes, medical care, climate, security and crime situation, cultural attractions and hospitality.
Forbes magazine puts the Philippines at 16th place of the Top 20 countries.
According to Forbes, the list of popular locations include Tagaytay, a suburb of Manila, that is elevated and therefore cooler, and Subic Bay, with an infrastructure from the old U.S. Navy base. Non-stop flights between Manila and the US average 15 hours.
Forbes’ recognition is being manifested in the uptick in tourist arrivals in the Philippines as noted by the Department of Tourism, the Malacanang official said.
Coloma, quoting the DOT, said there were 4.83 million tourists who visited the country in 2014, an increase of 3.25 percent compared to 2013 tourist arrivals figure.
“At dahil din dito sa pagdami ng mga dumarating na turista, umabot ang ating tourism revenues sa halagang P214.8 bilyon sa kabuuan ng 2014,” he noted.
“At dahil dito, ibayong pagsisikap pa rin sa bahagi ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng Department of Tourism sa paggawa ng lahat ng nararapat para mapanatili ang pagiging attractive destination ng ating bansa,” he added. (PNA)