(Mindestens) 17 Jahre Bloggen – was hat es gebracht?

Heute Morgen habe ich per Zufall im Blog nachgeschaut. Hier auf WordPress.com ist mein erster Blogartikel am 22. März 2009 erschienen. Na ja, „erschienen“ stimmt nicht ganz – erschienen ist er eigentlich vorher, auf Posterous. Ich habe ihn damals nach WordPress importiert. Posterous wurde eingestellt und einige Texte sind wohl im Nirvana des Netzes verschwunden. Das Netz vergisst doch. Manchmal.

Eine Zwischenbilanz mit Augenzwinkern – und einem Blick auf die große Blogosphären-Midlife-Crisis

Also genau siebzehn Jahre dieser Blog hier. Nein, ich werde mich nicht in die Debatte einmischen, ob Bloggen tot ist. Die Debatte ist gefühlt so alt wie das Bloggen selbst – ungefähr alle drei Jahre fragt irgendjemand, ob das Medium noch lebt, und ungefähr alle drei Jahre antworten Bloggerinnen und Blogger darauf mit langen Blogposts. Über die Schärfe, die in die aktuelle Debatte hinein gekommen ist, kann ich nur den Kopf schütteln. Bloggen als Hobby weißer Männer über 50, die ihre Meinungen für wichtiger halten, als sie sind – während jüngere, diversere Stimmen auf anderen Kanälen längst interessantere Dinge sagen. Mein Gott, lasst uns doch einfach, wenn es uns Spaß macht.

Ich hab mir mal einige Artikel von „damals“ angesehen. Zum Beispiel dieser hier vom 22. März 2009: „‚Gezwitschere‘ – Kann man das ernst nehmen?“ Meine erste Auseinandersetzung mit Twitter. Ich saß damals auf einem IBM-Sofa auf der Web 2.0 Expo in Berlin, neben mir ein junger Typ, der Videos drehte, und er fragte mich: „Du bist neu auf Twitter? Stimmt’s?“ Ja, ich musste mich outen. Wenn ich mir heute anschaue, was aus Twitter und dem Web 2.0 geworden ist …

In dieser Zeit erschien auch mein Artikel über Apple als valide Unternehmensplattform – oder doch noch Avantgarde-Spielzeug? Und einer über E-Mail-Management und Compliance, ein Thema, das mich sehr lange beruflich beschäftigte. Ich habe über die Dokumentensuche im digitalen Müllhaufen ebenso geschrieben wie über die digitalen Störenfriede, die mich immer wieder unterbrechen.

Vom Schreiberling zum Blogger

Warum habe ich überhaupt mit dem Bloggen angefangen? Die Leidenschaft fürs Schreiben war schon immer da. In der Schülerzeitung. Dann in der Lokalredaktion der Wetzlarer Neuen Zeitung. Später für Computerzeitschriften wie die PC Praxis. Bei FileNet – meinem damaligen Arbeitgeber – habe ich ein Unternehmensmagazin herausgegeben.

Das Blog war also kein Neubeginn, sondern eine Fortsetzung meiner Leidenschaft fürs Schreiben mit anderen Mitteln – ohne Redakteur, ohne Drucktermin, ohne jemanden, der den Text noch einmal gegenliest. Was natürlich auch bedeutete: ohne jemanden, der einen aufhält. Ich glaube, dass mich damals mein Kollege Thorsten inspiriert hat, ein eigenes Blog aufzumachen.

Also schrieb ich nun auf meiner eigenen Plattform über Technologie, über digitale Transformation, über die Frage, warum deutsche Unternehmen so tun, als wäre das Internet ein vorübergehender Trend. Über Social Media, als es noch hieß, es würde die Welt demokratisieren. Spoiler: Es hat die Welt verändert, aber nicht ganz so, wie wir uns das vorgestellt hatten.

Von DigitalNaiv zum Namens.Blog

Das Blog hieß zuerst „DigitalNaiv“. Fand ich witzig, weil ich mich damals à la Raumschiff Enterprise in die neuen Welten des Web 2.0 begeben habe. Mit einer gewissen Naivität. Einfach mal eintauchen. Nicht im Sinne von Ahnungslosigkeit, sondern im Sinne von ausprobieren, kennenlernen und bewerten.

Irgendwann – ich glaube im Oktober 2018 – habe ich dann DigitalNaiv.com in stefanpfeiffer.blog umbenannt. Die Idee dahinter: persönlicher werden, klarer machen, dass hier ein Mensch schreibt und keine Marke. Aber „DigitalNaiv“ hatte einen Charakter, den kein Name ersetzt, der einfach aus Vor- und Nachname besteht. Heute würde ich das wahrscheinlich nicht mehr tun. Aber wer so lange Jahre bloggt, hat immer wieder Entscheidungen getroffen, die man später anders sieht. Das gehört dazu.

Corporate Blogging: Zwischen Haltung und Unternehmenslinie

Was ich in dieser Phase auch war: ein Corporate Blogger. Ich habe für die IBM gebloggt – offiziell, mit eigenem IBM-Blog, mit Twitter-Handle Stefan63atIBM, damit von Anfang an klar war, wo ich arbeite. Das war damals eine echte Debatte: Wie weit darf ein Corporate Blogger gehen? Was ist noch persönliche Meinung, was schon Unternehmenssprechertum?

Ich habe damals 2009, kurz vor der re:publica, einen Artikel darüber geschrieben, der den herrlichen Titel trug: „Einfach mal Fresse halten?„. Es ging um die Frage, wann man als Mitarbeiter eines Konzerns besser schweigt – und wann man trotzdem schreibt. Die IBM hatte damals immerhin schon Social Computing Guidelines. Das war fortschrittlich. Und es war nötig, denn die Versuchung, als Corporate Blogger auf dünnem Eis zu tanzen, war real.

Corporate Blogger. Das klingt heute so zeitgemäß wie ein Faxgerät im Homeoffice. Das Konzept ist nicht gestorben, es hat sich nur aufgelöst – in Content Marketing, in Employee Advocacy, in unselige LinkedIn-Posts mit Hashtags, die der Social-Media-Manager vorher freigegeben hat. Der authentische Mitarbeiterblog, der Firma und Person gleichzeitig repräsentiert, ist unterdessen eine Illusion. Ich habe sie trotzdem eine Weile gepflegt. Und ich bereue es nicht – auch wenn die damaligen IBM-Blogs längst offline sind und das Internet diesen Teil meiner Geschichte vielleicht gnädig vergessen hat. Da war schon viel Werbung und Promotion für unsere damaligen Produkte dabei.

Was ich dabei gelernt habe – über Technologie und mich

Siebzehn Jahre Bloggen sind eine erstaunlich gute Dokumentation eigener Irrtümer. Immerhin habe ich Second Life nur für die Zukunft gehalten. Doch habe ich Twitter mal als Bereicherung für den demokratischen Diskurs bezeichnet – und mich später dabei ertappt, wie ich auf Elon Musks Plattform nur noch Empörung und Werbung für Selbstbräuner vorfand. Ich habe über „das Ende der E-Mail“ geschrieben. Die E-Mail lebt. Sie ist unsterblich. Sie wird uns alle überleben.

Das Gute daran: Wer über 17 Jahre lang öffentlich schreibt, wird bescheiden. Nicht weil man weniger Meinungen hat, sondern weil man weiß, wie schnell Meinungen veralten. Heute tippe ich mit etwas mehr Vorsicht. Nicht weniger Überzeugung – aber mehr Bewusstsein dafür, dass ich in fünf Jahren vielleicht wieder in alten Posts wühle und den Kopf schüttle.

Die Reichweite: bescheiden, aber real

Die Zahl meiner Leserinnen und Leser ist bescheiden. Heutige Influencer auf TikTok oder Instagram würden darüber lachen. Ist aber nicht der Punkt. Die richtige Frage ist nicht: „Wie viele Menschen lesen das?“ Sondern: „Wer liest das – und was passiert danach?“

Und das ist ok. Ein Kommentar, der eine Debatte losgetreten hat. Eine E-Mail von jemandem, der sagt: „Das habe ich meinem Chef geschickt.“ Ein Gespräch auf einer Konferenz, das mit den Worten beginnt: „Ich lese deinen Blog, und…“ Mein Blog, vielleicht Bloggen generell ist kein Massenmedium.

Was sich verändert hat – und was gleich geblieben ist

Die Werkzeuge haben sich verändert. Blogger, WordPress, dann WordPress.com, Mastodon als Verlängerung. Die Art, wie ich Artikel teile, hat sich fünfmal gewandelt. Facebook war mal wichtig. Dann nicht mehr. Jetzt wieder, um meinen Freundes- und Bekanntenkreis zu erreichen. LinkedIn wurde als wichtig dargestellt – und nervt mich unterdessen nur noch.

Was gleich geblieben ist: der Impuls, sich zu etwas zu äußern, auch Informationen, Artikel zu teilen, zu kuratieren. Und der Prozess des Schreibens selbst. Der Moment, in dem ich einen Gedanken aufschreibe und er sich dann weiter heraus kristallisiert. Wer schreibt, denkt anders. Wer öffentlich schreibt, denkt noch einmal anders, weil irgendwo immer jemand mitliest, der einen beim Widerspruch ertappen könnte.

Künstliche Intelligenz hat die Angelegenheit inzwischen einfacher und gleichzeitig komplizierter gemacht. Ich nutze KI-Tools beim Schreiben. Für Recherche, für Titelbilder, manchmal als Sparringspartner für Argumente. Und gleichzeitig frage ich mich: Was ist noch meine Stimme? Wo endet der Assistent und fange ich an? Diese Frage habe ich noch nicht abschließend beantwortet. Was aber Bloggen in einer KI-Welt auf jeden Fall leisten kann: Reflexion, die nicht delegierbar ist.

Alte weiße Männer und ihre Blogs – ein Problem?

Ja, viele der aktiven Langzeit-Blogger in der deutschsprachigen Blogosphäre sind: männlich, weiß, über 50, beruflich etabliert. Ich erfülle drei von vier Kriterien ohne Mühe. Das ist kein Zufall und kein Anlass zur Selbstbeglückwünschung. Ein Trost: Es gibt Claudia und andere Bloggerinnen, die es immer wert sind gelesen zu werden. Aber auch sie sind in aller Regel Ü50. Vielleicht sind wir Bloggerinnen und Blogger ja eine aussterbende Rasse. Oder anders: Vielleicht publizieren die Jungen halt anders.

Ich blogge nicht, weil ich denke, dass meine Perspektive die wichtigste ist. Ich blogge, weil ich denke, dass öffentliches Schreiben – mit echtem Namen, mit nachvollziehbarer Haltung, mit der Bereitschaft, widersprochen zu werden – in einer Zeit algorithmisch optimierter Empörungsschleifen etwas wert ist. Unabhängig davon, wer es tut.

Hat es sich gelohnt?

Ja. Aber nicht aus den Gründen, die ich 2009 erwartet hätte. Nicht wegen der Reichweite. Nicht wegen des Einflusses. Nicht wegen der Karriere. Sondern wegen des Denkens. Wegen der Menschen, die ich dadurch kennengelernt habe. Ich freue mich auf die Beiträge von Claudia, Horst, Henning, Christian, Heinrich, Helmut, Thomas, Gunnar, Lars, Herrn Tommi und vielen anderen Bloggerinnen und Bloggern. Vor allem freue ich mich auf Austausch. Und es gibt mir Hoffnung, dass es noch vernünftige, demokratische Stimmen gibt. Es gibt das Gefühl, in einer Welt voller Lärm trotzdem eine eigene Stimme zu haben – auch wenn die niemand außer zwanzig interessierte Leserinnen und Leser hört.

Was jetzt?

Weitermachen. Neue Formate probieren. Was sonst? Ja, es gibt berechtigte Fragen darüber, wer bloggt, warum, und ob das irgendwen außer dem Autor selbst interessiert. Ja, TikTok, Instagram, Substack und LinkedIn-Posts erreichen vermutlich mehr Menschen mit weniger Aufwand.

Die Plattformen werden sich weiter verändern. KI wird das Schreiben, Kuratieren und Publizieren weiter umkrempeln. Irgendwann wird wieder jemand fragen, ob Blogs noch zeitgemäß sind – und ich werde, wie seit zwanzig Jahren, die Frage mit einem Blogpost beantworten. In dem ich erkläre, warum die Frage falsch gestellt ist. Und dann den nächsten Post veröffentlichen.

Dieser Blog ist meine Heimat

Dieser Blog ist meine Heimat. Er gehört mir. Nicht Elon Musk, der X in eine Empörungsmaschine mit Bezahlschranke verwandelt hat. Nicht Mark Zuckerberg, der den Algorithmus nach Gusto dreht und Reichweite verteilt wie ein Feudalherr Ländereien. Wenn LinkedIn morgen entscheidet, dass meine Art zu schreiben nicht mehr in den Feed passt, oder Bluesky sich wieder irgendwie neu erfindet – der Blog steht noch. Meine Texte, meine Themen, meine Stimme. Das ist in einer Welt, in der wir fast alles nur noch mieten, mehr wert als es klingt. Gerade in diesen Zeiten, wo wir angesichts der Radikalisierung und der Autokraten Flagge zeigen müssen.

* Dieser Artikel ist Teil einer losen Reihe über digitales Publizieren, Bloggen und das Internet, das wir mal haben wollten. Feedback, Widerspruch und alte Anekdoten gerne in die Kommentare.*
#Bloggen #Blogosphere #Journalismus #SocialMedia #Twitter #WordPress

I Love Israel: 2,000-Year-Old Discovery in Israel Reveals Lost Community

While the rest of the world has been busy with political, economic and military developments, something very tremendous happened recently in Israel, and it is about a 2,000-year-old discovery that reveals a lost community and it further proves the Jewish heritage in the Holy Land is real, according to a news article by CBN News. The discovery is also a reminder about John’s baptisms.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the CBN News article. Some parts in boldface.

A 2,000-year-old archaeological marvel has been unearthed in southern Israel, revealing a mysterious community lost to time and the latest proof of the ancient Jewish connection to the Holy Land.

The major discovery took place in Kiryat Gat, near the site of the ancient Philistine city of Gath, where Goliath came from.

The find, a mikveh ritual immersion pool, provides evidence of a Jewish community that remained in the region following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD and persisted until the Bar Kokhba revolt – the final Jewish rebellion against the Roman Empire.

The mikveh was used for spiritual purification or holiness, which the Bible refers to in the book of Leviticus, and its discovery is a reminder of a Second Temple-era tradition that’s linked to the introduction of Christians baptisms.

Israeli tour guide Yoav Rotem tells CBN News, “These are the roots of the baptism of John… John the Baptist… Going from Leviticus through Judaism of the Second Temple time all the way to John the Baptist and Jesus, these are the roots, and they’re still in the ground.”

To preserve the mikveh, the Israel Antiquities Authority dug up the entire ritual bath and removed it from the site.

Rotem argues that this discovery is the latest archaeological proof that the Jewish population wasn’t entirely absent from the region after the Romans tried to wipe them out. While some uninformed anti-Israel activists claim the Jews just popped up and took over the holy land in 1948, Rotem says the Jews have clear ties to the land that are constantly being unearthed.

He also cited historical letters, the Cairo Geniza archive of 400,000 ancient manuscripts in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic, that provide further proof, in addition to the many substantial, ongoing archaeological discoveries of ancient Jewish presence in the land.

“There’s a huge amount of information from historical information to archaeological to letters between rabbis, of Jewish appearance (or presence)… The Jews are still alive after 70 (AD). Some of them, minorities, staying in the land, a lot of Jews moving to the Galilee,” he explained.

For additional insight, watch the CBN News YouTube video below.

youtu.be/lz_eTQuq9aY?si=17yaO3…

To all my readers, I encourage you to thank the Lord for this tremendous breakthrough in Israel. No matter what the anti-Israel activists say, the ancient Jewish heritage in the land of Israel is absolutely real backed with physical pieces of evidence and ancient diggings achieved. Clearly, Israel is the land of Jews, not the Palestinians.

At the same time, I encourage you all to realize the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Philippines Behind Many Southeast Asian Neighbors On International Tourism

With 2025 already behind us, one has to wonder how the Philippines performed when it comes to attracting foreign tourists and as of this writing, the final statistics have yet to be announced by the government. What is clear is that the Philippines really slumped on international tourism last year and the nation is behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a recent news article by VnExpress International.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the VnExpress International. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam and Malaysia are rising tourism stars in Southeast Asia thanks to relaxed visa policies and improving infrastructure while Thailand has lost its lead due to border clashes and safety concerns.

Vietnam received its 20th millionth foreign visitor in a year for the first time at the Phu Quoc International Airport on Dec. 15, marking a milestone for its tourism sector. The full-year is expected to exceed 21 million, surpassing the previous record of 18 million achieved in 2019 before Covid.

With its 21% growth rate this year, Vietnam is regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Malaysia attracted 28.2 million tourists in the first eight months of this year, a 14.5% increase year-on-year.

The industry will be supported by stronger Chinese tourist arrivals, improving flight connectivity and the government’s ambitious “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign, according to HSBC Global Research.

“Malaysia is on track to easily exceed its 2025 tourism target of 31.4 million tourists, making it one of the few ASEAN economies to achieve its target.

“We estimate the number of tourists is likely to exceed 40 million.”

This year, both countries have strived to ease visa polices, enhance promotion campaigns and improve airport infrastructure.

Indonesia and Laos have also seen increasing tourist numbers.

Indonesia received over 12.76 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months, a 10% increase, with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and India being the leading source markets. Laos received 3.8 million, a 13% increase.

Challenging year for Thailand, Cambodia – Once a tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Thailand has struggled with setback after setback this year.

The crisis began in January as many Chinese tourists canceled their trips to the country following the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Xing Xing.

Two months later a deadly earthquake in Myanmar that sent tremors across Bangkok caused widespread damage to the tourism industry.

Escalating military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border also triggered a surge in cancellations across provinces near the fighting. Some countries warned their citizens to postpone traveling to Thailand.

Arrivals as of early December declined by 7% to 30 million. Thailand had received 40 million tourists in 2019 and 35 million last year.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s reputation took a beating in the eyes of South Koreans due to online scams and the disappearance of hundreds of their fellow citizens who entered that country.

The South Korean government has issued warnings to its citizens to cancel or postpone non-essential travel to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and areas like Sihanoukville and Bokor Mountain.

Cambodia attracted only 4.75 million tourists in January-October, a decrease of 11.6%.

The Philippines received 4.7 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of the year, a 3.02% decline due to significantly lower arrivals from South Korea and China.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines still has a lot of problems to solve regarding infrastructure, tourism promotions and domestic travel costs before it could become competitive with its Southeast Asian neighbors? If ever the Philippines fails to hit its 2025 foreign tourist arrivals target, do you think the Department of Tourism (DOT) will once again point to tourism revenues as a barometer for success? With its current standing on international tourism, do you consider the 2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) of the Philippines a failure already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Philippines Attracted 5.94 Million Foreign Tourists And 543K Overseas Filipinos In 2025

Finally, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed that 5.94 million foreign tourists and over 543,000 returning overseas Filipinos arrived in the Philippines in 2025 resulting in tourism revenue of P694 billion, according to a news release by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For insight, the Philippines attracted 5,940,975 foreign visitors in 2025 which is 8,375 less compared with 2024’s foreign visitors. Ultimately, the Philippines is still behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbors on international tourism for 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines recorded 6.4 million foreign visitors and returning overseas Filipinos in 2025, generating an estimated PHP694 billion in tourism receipts, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Tuesday.

Citing Bureau of Immigration data, the DOT said 5,940,975 were foreign visitors, including cruise passengers and categories not fully captured in eTravel.

Another 543,085 were returning overseas Filipinos, bringing total inbound arrivals to 6,484,060.

The DOT said preliminary international visitor spending was estimated at PHP694 billion.

While arrivals remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the DOT said the outcome was achieved despite global and domestic challenges, including travel alerts from key markets and fiscal constraints.

The agency said tourism performance should not be measured by arrivals alone, citing strong domestic travel, value creation and job generation.

Guided by the National Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028, the DOT said it remains focused on improving connectivity, safety, workforce skills and service standards.

For insight as to why the Philippines is having a lot of trouble attracting visitors from abroad, watch the YouTube videos below.

youtu.be/Lr2vOfmfb1c?si=kjfZgo…

youtu.be/aAMYL4nWnMg?si=6e4Lhx…

youtu.be/ESdb7EfthBo?si=7KoUzu…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Department of Tourism’s claim that tourism performance should not be measured by arrivals alone while the Philippines keeps on falling behind its Southeast Asian neighbors that attracted a lot more foreign tourists? Do you think the DOT should examine closely how satisfied or dissatisfied foreign tourists really are before they leave the country? Are you tired of seeing the Philippines failing to hit its annual international tourist arrival targets?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Author Carlo Carrasco

2026-01-02 16:00:00

Philippines Behind Many Southeast Asian Neighbors On International Tourism

With 2025 already behind us, one has to wonder how the Philippines performed when it comes to attracting foreign tourists and as of this writing, the final statistics have yet to be announced by the government. What is clear is that the Philippines really slumped on international tourism last year and the nation is behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a recent news article by VnExpress International.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the VnExpress International. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam and Malaysia are rising tourism stars in Southeast Asia thanks to relaxed visa policies and improving infrastructure while Thailand has lost its lead due to border clashes and safety concerns.

Vietnam received its 20th millionth foreign visitor in a year for the first time at the Phu Quoc International Airport on Dec. 15, marking a milestone for its tourism sector. The full-year is expected to exceed 21 million, surpassing the previous record of 18 million achieved in 2019 before Covid.

With its 21% growth rate this year, Vietnam is regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Malaysia attracted 28.2 million tourists in the first eight months of this year, a 14.5% increase year-on-year.

The industry will be supported by stronger Chinese tourist arrivals, improving flight connectivity and the government’s ambitious “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign, according to HSBC Global Research.

“Malaysia is on track to easily exceed its 2025 tourism target of 31.4 million tourists, making it one of the few ASEAN economies to achieve its target.

“We estimate the number of tourists is likely to exceed 40 million.”

This year, both countries have strived to ease visa polices, enhance promotion campaigns and improve airport infrastructure.

Indonesia and Laos have also seen increasing tourist numbers.

Indonesia received over 12.76 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months, a 10% increase, with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and India being the leading source markets. Laos received 3.8 million, a 13% increase.

Challenging year for Thailand, Cambodia – Once a tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, Thailand has struggled with setback after setback this year.

The crisis began in January as many Chinese tourists canceled their trips to the country following the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Xing Xing.

Two months later a deadly earthquake in Myanmar that sent tremors across Bangkok caused widespread damage to the tourism industry.

Escalating military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border also triggered a surge in cancellations across provinces near the fighting. Some countries warned their citizens to postpone traveling to Thailand.

Arrivals as of early December declined by 7% to 30 million. Thailand had received 40 million tourists in 2019 and 35 million last year.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s reputation took a beating in the eyes of South Koreans due to online scams and the disappearance of hundreds of their fellow citizens who entered that country.

The South Korean government has issued warnings to its citizens to cancel or postpone non-essential travel to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh and areas like Sihanoukville and Bokor Mountain.

Cambodia attracted only 4.75 million tourists in January-October, a decrease of 11.6%.

The Philippines received 4.7 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of the year, a 3.02% decline due to significantly lower arrivals from South Korea and China.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines still has a lot of problems to solve regarding infrastructure, tourism promotions and domestic travel costs before it could become competitive with its Southeast Asian neighbors? If ever the Philippines fails to hit its 2025 foreign tourist arrivals target, do you think the Department of Tourism (DOT) will once again point to tourism revenues as a barometer for success? With its current standing on international tourism, do you consider the 2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) of the Philippines a failure already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at and on Instagram at
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A Lot More Filipinos Searched For Accommodations In Vietnam In 2025

While the Philippines continues to endure difficulties on attracting foreign tourists (click here and here), statistics of the global travel platform Agoda revealed that a lot more Filipinos searched online for accommodations in Vietnam, according to a travel article by VnExpress.

It is recalled that Vietnam itself achieved an all-time high of 21.2 million foreign tourist arrivals counted in 2025 and among them are more Filipino visitors. Already operating are direct flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the travel article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Travelers from the Philippines showed the strongest interest in visiting Vietnam in 2025, with accommodation searches rising 86% year-on-year, according to travel platform Agoda.

The trend was consistent with official tourism data. The number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam reached 482,173 in 2025, up 81.3% from 2024, according to the General Statistics Office.

Air connectivity between the two countries has also improved, with several carriers launching new direct routes.

In July last year, Philippine Airlines began operating a Manila-Da Nang service with three flights a week. A month later, Vietjet opened the Ho Chi Minh City-Manila route, offering five round-trip flights per week.

“Growing international interest suggests Vietnam is consolidating its position as a leading regional destination, benefiting from improved connectivity, visa policies and diversified travel experiences,” said Vu Ngoc Lam, country director at Agoda Vietnam.

Vietnam welcomed a record 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest total on record.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think a lot more Filipinos will visit Vietnam this year as the direct flights continue? What is it about Vietnam that captures the interests of foreign travelers? If you have been to Vietnam as a tourist, how much did you spend per day there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Author Carlo Carrasco

2026-01-21 16:00:00

Philippines Attracted 5.94 Million Foreign Tourists And 543K Overseas Filipinos In 2025

Finally, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed that 5.94 million foreign tourists and over 543,000 returning overseas Filipinos arrived in the Philippines in 2025 resulting in tourism revenue of P694 billion, according to a news release by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For insight, the Philippines attracted 5,940,975 foreign visitors in 2025 which is 8,375 less compared with 2024’s foreign visitors. Ultimately, the Philippines is still behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbors on international tourism for 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines recorded 6.4 million foreign visitors and returning overseas Filipinos in 2025, generating an estimated PHP694 billion in tourism receipts, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Tuesday.

Citing Bureau of Immigration data, the DOT said 5,940,975 were foreign visitors, including cruise passengers and categories not fully captured in eTravel.

Another 543,085 were returning overseas Filipinos, bringing total inbound arrivals to 6,484,060.

The DOT said preliminary international visitor spending was estimated at PHP694 billion.

While arrivals remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the DOT said the outcome was achieved despite global and domestic challenges, including travel alerts from key markets and fiscal constraints.

The agency said tourism performance should not be measured by arrivals alone, citing strong domestic travel, value creation and job generation.

Guided by the National Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028, the DOT said it remains focused on improving connectivity, safety, workforce skills and service standards.

For insight as to why the Philippines is having a lot of trouble attracting visitors from abroad, watch the YouTube videos below.

youtu.be/Lr2vOfmfb1c?si=kjfZgo…

youtu.be/aAMYL4nWnMg?si=6e4Lhx…

youtu.be/ESdb7EfthBo?si=7KoUzu…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Department of Tourism’s claim that tourism performance should not be measured by arrivals alone while the Philippines keeps on falling behind its Southeast Asian neighbors that attracted a lot more foreign tourists? Do you think the DOT should examine closely how satisfied or dissatisfied foreign tourists really are before they leave the country? Are you tired of seeing the Philippines failing to hit its annual international tourist arrival targets?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at and on Instagram at
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The Real Reason The Philippines Is Losing Repeat Visitors

The Philippines doesn't have a tourism marketing problem. It has an infrastructure problem.In this video, we explore the uncomfortable truth about why first-...

^{Naked Expat (YouTube)}

As More Filipinos Visit Vietnam, Philippines Attracts Less Vietnamese Tourists

In 2025, more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam while the Philippines failed to attract a significant number of Vietnam tourists which reflected its weakness with foreign visitors, according to a new report by VnExpress.

The travel platform Agoda confirmed that online search by Filipino users for accommodation in Vietnam surged 86% in 2025. Vietnam itself achieved an all-time high of 21.2 million foreign tourists who arrived in 2025. The Philippines attracted only 5.94 foreign tourists last year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam is increasingly emerging as a preferred destination for Philippine travelers, welcoming over 482,000 arrivals in 2025, thanks to ASEAN visa exemption policies and closer bilateral exchanges.

According to the Tourism Information Center under the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), since the Covid pandemic, the number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam has recovered and grown impressively. Filipino tourists are particularly fond of destinations such as Da Nang, Sa Pa, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, as well as Vietnam’s distinctive cuisine.

VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said Vietnam and the Philippines share many similarities in tourism resources, natural conditions and culture. Both are located in Southeast Asia and have favorable conditions for cooperation in developing tourism products and attracting visitors.

The expansion of direct flight routes between major cities by airlines of both countries has also significantly contributed to boosting tourist arrivals.

Conversely, the number of Vietnamese tourists traveling to the Philippines remains unstable and has even shown a declining trend recently. This is partly due to increasing competition among destinations in the region.

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III noted that Philippine airlines are actively implementing various initiatives to attract tourists. The Philippines is also considering establishing a tourism representative office in Vietnam to strengthen its presence and promote cooperation.

Tourism cooperation between the two countries was established early on and continues to be reinforced. In 2026, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) under the rotational mechanism, with Vietnam’s tourism sector actively participating in the event.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you are a citizen of the Philippines, have you thought about touring Vietnam recently? Do you think the government of the Philippines has not done enough to promote itself actively to the Vietnamese?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Author Carlo Carrasco

2026-02-02 16:00:00

A Lot More Filipinos Searched For Accommodations In Vietnam In 2025

While the Philippines continues to endure difficulties on attracting foreign tourists (click here and here), statistics of the global travel platform Agoda revealed that a lot more Filipinos searched online for accommodations in Vietnam, according to a travel article by VnExpress.

It is recalled that Vietnam itself achieved an all-time high of 21.2 million foreign tourist arrivals counted in 2025 and among them are more Filipino visitors. Already operating are direct flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the travel article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Travelers from the Philippines showed the strongest interest in visiting Vietnam in 2025, with accommodation searches rising 86% year-on-year, according to travel platform Agoda.

The trend was consistent with official tourism data. The number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam reached 482,173 in 2025, up 81.3% from 2024, according to the General Statistics Office.

Air connectivity between the two countries has also improved, with several carriers launching new direct routes.

In July last year, Philippine Airlines began operating a Manila-Da Nang service with three flights a week. A month later, Vietjet opened the Ho Chi Minh City-Manila route, offering five round-trip flights per week.

“Growing international interest suggests Vietnam is consolidating its position as a leading regional destination, benefiting from improved connectivity, visa policies and diversified travel experiences,” said Vu Ngoc Lam, country director at Agoda Vietnam.

Vietnam welcomed a record 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest total on record.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think a lot more Filipinos will visit Vietnam this year as the direct flights continue? What is it about Vietnam that captures the interests of foreign travelers? If you have been to Vietnam as a tourist, how much did you spend per day there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at and on Instagram at
#Agoda #Asia #Bing #Blog #blogger #blogging #business #businessNews #CarloCarrasco #ChatGPT #economicGrowth #economics #economy #EconomyOfThePhilippines #EconomyOfVietnam #Facebook #foreignTourists #GDP #GDPGrowth #geek #Google #GoogleSearch #governance #grossDomesticProductGDP #HoChiMinhCity #holiday #Instagram #Investagrams #Manila #money #news #PhilippineAirlinesPAL #Philippines #PhilippinesBlog #Pinoy #publicService #socialMedia #SoutheastAsia #technology #tourism #tourismBlog #tourist #touristBlog #tourists #travel #travelBlog #Tumblr #Twitter #vacation #Vietjet #Vietnam #VnExpress #WordPress #WordPressCom

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^{carlocarrasco (Author Carlo Carrasco)}

Vietnam Attracts 522,000 Visitors from the Philippines During First 9 Months of 2026

The Philippines, which is currently the host of the ASEAN Summit and is also one of the economic weaklings of Southeast Asia, continues to grow tremendously as a tourism market for Vietnam as an estimated 522,000 Filipinos visited the said nation during the first nine months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

It should be noted that more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam for the entire year of 2025, and the Philippines is one of the fastest growing tourism markets for the Vietnam tourism industry this year along with Russia.

Historically speaking, the number of Philippine visitors welcomed by Vietnam was 49,266 in 2022, 153,168 in 2023, 265,947 in 2024 and 482,173 in 2025. At 522,000 as of the end of September, the number of Philippine visitors arriving in Vietnam could reach around 700,000 by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering the strong interest of Filipinos to visit Vietnam, do you think it is possible for Vietnam to attract at least one million visitors from the Philippines next year if not this year? Do you think more Filipinos will realize the great value they could get by visiting Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
#ASEAN #ASEANSummit #Asia #AssociationOfSoutheastAsianNationsASEAN #blogging #CarloCarrasco #EconomyOfVietnam #geek #holiday #internationalTravel #Japan #Mastodon #news #Nippon #overseasTravel #Philippines #Russia #SouthKorea #SoutheastAsia #Taiwan #touringVietnam #tourism #tourismBlog #touristArrivals #touristBlog #touristDestinations #touristSpots #travel #travelBlog #vacation #vacationBlog #Vietnam #VietnamTourism #Vietnamese #VisitVietnam #visitingVietnam #WordPress #WordPressCom #worldTravel

Author Carlo Carrasco

2026-04-08 16:00:00

As More Filipinos Visit Vietnam, Philippines Attracts Less Vietnamese Tourists

In 2025, more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam while the Philippines failed to attract a significant number of Vietnam tourists which reflected its weakness with foreign visitors, according to a new report by VnExpress.

The travel platform Agoda confirmed that online search by Filipino users for accommodation in Vietnam surged 86% in 2025. Vietnam itself achieved an all-time high of 21.2 million foreign tourists who arrived in 2025. The Philippines attracted only 5.94 foreign tourists last year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam is increasingly emerging as a preferred destination for Philippine travelers, welcoming over 482,000 arrivals in 2025, thanks to ASEAN visa exemption policies and closer bilateral exchanges.

According to the Tourism Information Center under the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), since the Covid pandemic, the number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam has recovered and grown impressively. Filipino tourists are particularly fond of destinations such as Da Nang, Sa Pa, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, as well as Vietnam’s distinctive cuisine.

VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said Vietnam and the Philippines share many similarities in tourism resources, natural conditions and culture. Both are located in Southeast Asia and have favorable conditions for cooperation in developing tourism products and attracting visitors.

The expansion of direct flight routes between major cities by airlines of both countries has also significantly contributed to boosting tourist arrivals.

Conversely, the number of Vietnamese tourists traveling to the Philippines remains unstable and has even shown a declining trend recently. This is partly due to increasing competition among destinations in the region.

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III noted that Philippine airlines are actively implementing various initiatives to attract tourists. The Philippines is also considering establishing a tourism representative office in Vietnam to strengthen its presence and promote cooperation.

Tourism cooperation between the two countries was established early on and continues to be reinforced. In 2026, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) under the rotational mechanism, with Vietnam’s tourism sector actively participating in the event.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you are a citizen of the Philippines, have you thought about touring Vietnam recently? Do you think the government of the Philippines has not done enough to promote itself actively to the Vietnamese?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at and on Instagram at
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Good Food and Drinks Plus Sports Shows Await You at Red Rockies in Las Piñas City

When it comes to finding good food, nice drinks and the enjoyment of sports-related shows here in South Metro Manila, Red Rockies has them and they are ready to serve you.

Recently, I visited Red Rockies at the 2^nd floor of Versailles Town Plaza located along Daang Hari in Las Piñas City. Upon entering, I saw the very nice interiors of the place and I was welcomed nicely. The nice-looking bar caught my attention, and so did the overhead high-definition TVs (HDTVs) that showed continuous footage of sports-related shows. That said, the vibe of the place was energetic.

For dinner, I had a set of sausages – Bratwurst and Frankfurt – with fries and condiments. The set is part of their Oktoberfest special. The two sausages were very well cooked and each bite was satisfying. The Frankfurt sausage was the tastiest. If this set is available when you visit Red Rockies, I recommend you order it.

The Bratwurst and Frankfurt sausages set with fries.

I also had a Smash Burger with fries plus a Strawberry Milkshake. The Smash Burger was loaded with a thick Angus beef patty which was enjoyable per bite. It reminds me of an Angus burger I had in Subic Bay over a year ago, but the difference is that it has lot more content and was more satisfying to consume. Red Rockies’ Smash Burger is a must for those who love burgers. The Strawberry Milkshake was tasty, cool and plentiful.

A close look at the Smash Burger of Red Rockies. The Angus beef patty is outstanding.
The Smash Burger with fries and condiments.
The Strawberry Milkshake of Red Rockies.

While enjoying dinner, I also enjoyed the sports coverage displayed on the monitors. Red Rockies allows customers to enjoy good food and drinks while watching basketball, tennis, grand prix racing and other sports events available. This is a fine place for such an experience here in the south of Metro Manila. In case you are wondering, Red Rockies’ name was inspired by the Rocky Mountains in the United States, and the red refers to the unique look the said mountains have during sunset.

I also took the time to examine Red Rockies’ menu. For those looking for alcoholic beverages, they offer craft beer and draft beer. For those who love good food, there is pasta, pizza, side dishes, salad, chicken wings and their entrees. What caught my attention from the menu were the Steak & Fries (P1,350), Country Fried Chicken (P350), Mac & Cheese (P425), and Bacon Cheeseburger (P500).

The bar inside Red Rockies with nice decorations and HDTVs above. Red Rockies has a nice selection of craft beer and draft beer that customers can choose from.

If you and your associates need a private venue for an important gathering or a special event, Red Rockies offers event packages which includes the use of all the HDTVs, food and drinks, and the exclusive use of dining area. Just visit Red Rockies and talk to the manager for booking.

As I had a nice time at Red Rockies, I would not hesitate to come back and try other foods and drinks listed on their menu. For this month of October, they have Oktoberfest offerings. If you are looking for a fine place to dine-in while visiting Versailles Town Plaza, come to Red Rockies at the 2^nd floor. They are open daily with schedules of 11AM to 10PM (Friday to Saturday) and 11AM to 9PM (Sunday to Thursday). To the residents of Ayala Alabang Village reading this, the place is a just a short drive away after exiting Champaca street gate. For this month of October, Oktoberfest specials are being offered by Red Rockies.

The front doors of Red Rockies at the 2nd floor of Versailles Town Plaza.

For the location of Red Rockies, click maps.app.goo.gl/VxY65TLPiC2tJo…. To get the latest updates directly from Red Rockies, follow their official Facebook page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=61…

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/3421830599…
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Singapore Leads Southeast Asia in Tourism Development

Singapore emerged as the best among the economies of Southeast Asia in the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF), according to a news report of VnExpress. Globally, Singapore ranked 13^th in a field of 110 economies.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the highest position among ASEAN.

The city state scored 4.89 points, up 3.4 percentage points from 2024 in the biennial ranking released on Friday by the World Economic Forum, an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank based in Switzerland.

Indonesia ranked at 23rd, followed by Malaysia at 26th, Thailand at 38th, Vietnam at 52nd, the Philippines at 57th, and Laos at 75th.

The index measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of tourism like business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground and port infrastructure, tourist services and infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural resources.

Singapore received high scores in business environment, safety and security, travel policy and enabling conditions, and infrastructure and services.

Singapore, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia by nominal GDP, is known for its strict laws and low crime rates. It has earned (its) reputation as one of the safest countries in Asia.

The city-state is ramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel and business hub in Asia.

The government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package, more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Disappointing Economic Growth Ahead for the Philippines Until Mid-2028

For Capital Economics, the economic growth of the Philippines will end up disappointing by finishing below the national government’s targets until the middle of 2028, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Capital Economics also sees the inflation rate of the country reaching 5.6% this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy is expected to “disappoint” until the end of the Marcos Jr. administration in 2028 as the lingering effects of the energy shock, weak business confidence, tighter fiscal policy, and El Niño weigh on recovery, according to think tank Capital Economics.

In a report last Tuesday, Sept. 29, Capital Economics forecast Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth at just three percent in 2026, before picking up to 4.5 percent in 2027, and 5.5 percent in 2028.

Capital Economics’ forecasts for 2026 and 2027 fall short of the government’s downgraded economic growth targets of 3.5 to 4.5 percent and five to six percent, respectively, while the 2028 projection falls within the five- to six-percent target but remains below the economy’s estimated potential annual growth of about six percent.

Despite the gradual recovery, Capital Economics noted that its growth forecasts for the Philippines from 2026 through 2028 remain below consensus estimates.

“The Philippines has been among the hardest hit economies globally by the energy shock and the recovery will be sluggish,” Capital Economics said.

The think tank noted that the Philippine economy was already on weak footing, even before the global energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, due to the fallout from the multibillion-peso flood-control corruption scandal. As such, GDP growth slowed further to a post-pandemic low of 2.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Capital Economics also cited that the second-quarter GDP expansion was the weakest outside the Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis in 2008 to 2009, while pointing to more timely indicators such as purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs), which have provided mixed signals on economic activity in the third quarter.

The Philippine economy grew by an average of 2.6 percent during the first half of 2026, well below the government’s full-year growth target.

Capital Economics sees elevated global energy prices keeping Philippine inflation above six percent for the rest of the year, which the think tank said would dampen consumer spending.

Headline inflation eased slightly to 6.1 percent last August, but the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects the September rate to settle within the 6.4- to 7.4-percent range, potentially accelerating amid higher oil and food prices, plus a weaker peso.

Inflation averaged 5.2 percent during the first eight months of 2026, way above the government’s two- to four-percent target band for manageable year-on-year consumer price hikes.

Capital Economics expects Philippine inflation to average 5.6 percent this year, before easing to a within-target three percent next year and 2.3 percent in 2028.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering all the factors and what has happened economically over the past six months, are you convinced that there is no way to boost the nation’s economic growth this year? Do you think the government has been negligent with economic management? Do you find it ironic that as host of the ASEAN Summit, the Philippines is looking like the economic weakling of ASEAN?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Muntinlupa City Government Receives SGLG Incentive-funded Patient Transport Vehicle from DILG

Remember back in late-2024 when the City Government of Muntinlupa was declared a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardee by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)? It connection with the 2024 SGLG award, the City Government received from the DILG a patient transportation vehicle (PTV) which was funded through the Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLG IF), the DILG National Capital Region announced.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the DILG-NCR announcement. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of the Interior and Local Government–National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), through the DILG Muntinlupa Field Office, joined the Muntinlupa City Government in the turnover of a Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) funded through the Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLG IF) on September 17, 2026, at the Museo ng Muntinlupa, Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa City.

The PTV was provided to Muntinlupa City as an incentive for being conferred the CY 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), recognizing the City Government’s performance in various areas of good governance and effective local service delivery.

The ceremony was attended by Muntinlupa City Mayor Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon; Dr. Carolyn H. Magalong of the City Health Office; DILG Muntinlupa Field Office Director Mary Anne B. Planas, CESO V; and DILG-NCR Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) Chief Ronald R. Portales.

The newly acquired PTV will be utilized by the Muntinlupa City Health Office to strengthen the delivery of health and medical services, particularly in providing patient transport for Muntinlupeños in need of medical assistance and related services.

Mayor Biazon emphasized that the City Government opted to translate its SGLG incentive into a tangible investment that would directly benefit the community.

“Early this year, we provided five PTVs for Ospital ng Muntinlupa and the barangays, and recently, we distributed one new fire truck to each of the barangays. We hope that this new vehicle will be used efficiently and help serve more Muntinlupeños,” Mayor Biazon said.

The project demonstrates how the SGLG Incentive Fund can be transformed into concrete programs and projects that enhance local government service delivery and respond to the needs of communities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted that the City Government received the PTV? Do you think the City Government has enough PTVs to serve the constituents now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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P50-million Expansion Facility of New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corp. in Subic Bay Freeport Zone Inaugurated

New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corporation – a dynamic commercial vehicle dealership and direct importer specializing in reconditioned Japanese surplus trucks and other types of industrial machines – formally inaugurated its P50 million facility inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), according to the official announcement by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Reflecting the robust growth of the trucking industry within the Freeport zone, New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corp. inaugurated its PHP 50-million expansion facility at the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP) on September 21, 2026.

“The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) takes great pride in developments like this,” said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño. “A Freeport’s strength lies in the enterprises that choose to invest, expand, and remain within its borders.”

Aliño noted that New Asahi Group’s decision to consolidate its expertise in sourcing, importation, reconditioning, fabrication, and after-sales support under the Apex Trucks brand, and to do so here in Subic, is a strong vote of confidence in both the Freeport and the favorable business (climate) that the SBMA diligently maintains.

The expansion spans 5,231.60 square meters within THEP and is projected to create 25 additional jobs. The facility will handle importation, exportation, transshipment, warehousing, rebuilding, and trading of trucks, buses, as well as heavy and industrial equipment.

New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corporation specializes in the dealership and importation of commercial vehicles, focusing on reconditioned Japanese trucks, heavy equipment, and industrial machinery. Operating under the Apex Trucks name, the company is involved in the import, export, transshipment, storage, rebuilding, and wholesale of trucks, buses, heavy and industrial equipment, along with new and used spare parts and accessories.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by prominent figures including SBMA Chairman Eduardo Jose L. Aliño; New Asahi Group Chairman Ahamed Mohamed Mohamed Hussain; President Shukry Hussain; CEO Riza Nazeer; SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business & Investment Barney W. Lee III; and Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen C. Paulino, Jr., who collectively led the ribbon-cutting.

Representatives from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines, along with Xantheng (Subic) International Corporation (XSIC) President Simon Su and XSIC Vice-President for Operations Kelly Uy, were also in attendance.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone continues to manage a consistent inflow of truck and heavy equipment imports through its major locators.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that this expansion inside the SBFV will inspire the remaining freeport investors to maintain their operations?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Strategic Partnership Between SBMA and Hellenic ASEAN Business Council Established

Economic cooperation and growth between the Philippines and Greece got boosted recently as a result of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Hellenic ASEAN Business Council (HABC) formally signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which sealed a strategic partnership, according to the official announcement by the SBMA. As of this writing, five foreign companies have expressed interest to invest within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Hellenic ASEAN Business Council (HABC) have formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance economic cooperation and growth between Greece and the Philippines.

The MOU was signed on 17 September 2026 at Building 225 in Subic Bay Freeport by SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and HABC Chairman Nick Stasinopoulos. The agreement aims to promote bilateral trade, investment, tourism, logistics, maritime cooperation, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic growth, leveraging active engagement from both private sectors and institutional partners.

This collaboration will spotlight investment opportunities within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and facilitate business matching, trade delegations, and commercial ventures in key sectors. Specific areas of focus include shipbuilding, ship repair, port operations, logistics, marine maintenance, tourism, cruise terminal development, and waterfront enhancements.

“Subic Bay has evolved into one of the Philippines’ premier investment and economic hubs,” said Aliño. “We are proud to welcome HABC and the broader Hellenic business community as partners in this promising new chapter. This agreement represents a shared commitment to fostering enduring ties that will benefit both our nations for years to come.”

Stasinopoulos emphasized the significance of the pact, noting, “Today’s signing marks a vital milestone in strengthening the relationship between Greece and the Philippines. Our partnership builds on ongoing dialogues, visits, and direct exchanges between both sides.”

Highlighting the maritime sector’s role, he added, “The synergy between our countries is undeniable — Greece is home to the world’s largest maritime communities, while the Philippines is a key contributor to the global maritime workforce. Subic Bay has emerged as a crucial maritime and economic hub, integrating port operations, logistics, manufacturing, and investment.”

The HABC chairman outlined the council’s objectives under the agreement: “We aim to facilitate greater exchanges between Greek and Philippine maritime stakeholders, identify mutual investment opportunities, foster business partnerships, and encourage the sharing of knowledge and expertise.”

Five companies have already expressed interest in investing within the SBFZ, including ERMA Tech Group, a global leader in sustainable maritime technologies specializing in decarbonization, water and wastewater treatment, and marine equipment solutions. Also among the interested investors is Fontanakis Ship Repair, a Piraeus-based Greek company specializing in ship repairs, dry-docking services, engineering studies, and yacht building and restoration.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that trade and cooperation between Greece and the Philippines will create positive economic impact in the near future? Do you think this will make the Subic Bay Freeport Zone even more attractive to foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Vietnam Attracts All-Time High 21.2 Million Foreign Tourist Arrivals In 2025

Vietnam, a nation ravaged by war decades ago, has emerged as a major tourism magnet in both Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole after successfully attracting more than twenty-one million foreign tourists in 2025, according to a VnExpress International news report. The figure is a new all-time high. What Vietnam achieved was more than 20% higher than its 2024 foreign tourist numbers. For 2026, Vietnam is aiming high with a target of 25 million foreign visitors.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2025 with 21.2 million, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest ever, according to General Statistics Office.

Mainland China was Vietnam’s biggest source of visitors last year with 5.2 million arrivals, up 41% year-on-year, followed by South Korea with 4.3 million and Taiwan with 1.23 million.

The U.S. ranked fourth with 848,000, followed by Japan with 814,000. The rest of the top 10 were India (746,000), Russia (689,000), Cambodia (687,000), Malaysia (573,000) and Australia (548,000).

Tourism industry insiders attributed Vietnam’s strong performance to visa reforms.

Foreign tourists welcomed in Vietnam. (photo credit: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism)

In March the government decided to extend visa exemptions until 2028 for citizens of 12 countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

In August it waived visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days for citizens of 12 more countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

This expanded the unilateral visa waiver list to 24 countries and the total number including bilateral waivers to 39.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong international tourism momentum it has right now, do you think Vietnam will succeed in attracting 25 million foreign tourists this year? Do you think a lot more visitors from Europe will come to Vietnam this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

Vietnam successfully attracted 17.7 million foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026 having China, South Korea and Russia as their top 3 tourist markets, according to a news report by VnExpress. As it currently stands, Vietnam saw its foreign tourist count rise by 14.5% compared to the year before and it is looking more likely for the nation to exceed its 2025 overall foreign tourist count of 21.2 million by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said what is particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s diversification of source markets.

European arrivals increased by more than 50%, while arrivals from markets including the United States, Australia and India also recorded strong growth. This makes Vietnam less dependent on only one or two major Asian source markets, he added.

“Vietnam is no longer seen simply as an inexpensive holiday destination. Increasingly, it is being

recognized as a destination capable of delivering sophisticated, world-class hospitality,” Koerner said.

Several Southeast Asian countries have faced declines in international arrivals amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development? Do you know anyone who visited Vietnam recently and mentioned positive things about their tour? How interested are you right now to visit Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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Author Carlo Carrasco

2026-01-09 16:00:00

Vietnam Attracts All-Time High 21.2 Million Foreign Tourist Arrivals In 2025

Vietnam, a nation ravaged by war decades ago, has emerged as a major tourism magnet in both Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole after successfully attracting more than twenty-one million foreign tourists in 2025, according to a VnExpress International news report. The figure is a new all-time high. What Vietnam achieved was more than 20% higher than its 2024 foreign tourist numbers. For 2026, Vietnam is aiming high with a target of 25 million foreign visitors.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2025 with 21.2 million, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest ever, according to General Statistics Office.

Mainland China was Vietnam’s biggest source of visitors last year with 5.2 million arrivals, up 41% year-on-year, followed by South Korea with 4.3 million and Taiwan with 1.23 million.

The U.S. ranked fourth with 848,000, followed by Japan with 814,000. The rest of the top 10 were India (746,000), Russia (689,000), Cambodia (687,000), Malaysia (573,000) and Australia (548,000).

Tourism industry insiders attributed Vietnam’s strong performance to visa reforms.

Foreign tourists welcomed in Vietnam. (photo credit: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism)

In March the government decided to extend visa exemptions until 2028 for citizens of 12 countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

In August it waived visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days for citizens of 12 more countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

This expanded the unilateral visa waiver list to 24 countries and the total number including bilateral waivers to 39.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong international tourism momentum it has right now, do you think Vietnam will succeed in attracting 25 million foreign tourists this year? Do you think a lot more visitors from Europe will come to Vietnam this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at and on Instagram at
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Philippines 2026 Foreign Tourist Arrivals Reach 4.11 Million as of August, U.S. and South Korea Remain Top Markets

With the Peso performing terribly in the global currency market, weakening economic growth, high inflation and fears of an economic recession growing, 2026 has not been good for the Philippines. There is a bright spot in tourism, however, as the Philippines saw its 2026 foreign tourist arrivals reach 4.11 million in the January-August period and the United States and South Korea combined for more than 1.5 million tourist arrivals, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines has recorded 4.11 million foreign arrivals from January to August, higher by 3.7 percent compared to the same period last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday.

The United States posted the highest number of share at 818,318, followed by South Korea at 727,379, Japan at 350,191, China at 310,088, and Australia at 234,156.

Also making it in the top 10 source markets are Canada with 231,972, Taiwan with 154,957, the United Kingdom with 132,370, Singapore with 126,812, and India with 77,883.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the Philippines targets to surpass its 2025 arrival figures to reach between 6.4 million and 6.8 million, or at least 7 million, by the end of 2026.

To achieve this, she said the DOT is intensifying its branding and promotions to reach more tourists in its key source markets.

The DOT is also in active talks with airlines to open up and establish more chartered flights between the Philippines and secondary cities of Korea and China.

DOT Assistant Secretary Ren Sapitan said the agency is also set to sign a contract with a creative agency in November to broaden the country’s marketing efforts and make the Philippines more visible worldwide.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be able to exceed the 2025 foreign tourist arrivals number by the end of this year? Do you think the DOT is doing a good job to strengthen the Philippines’ attraction of foreign tourists? Considering the Top 10 markets of foreign tourists the Philippines attracted so far, are you convinced that the nation’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit did not create any positive tourism results?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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