West Australians will soon have an easier connection to the Philippines with a new Philippine Airlines service linking Perth and Manila taking off in 2023. From 27 March 2023, the new service will be the first-ever non-stop connection between Western Australia and the Philippines.
“We are thrilled with this announcement. It is great to see Philippine Airlines cater to the increasing demand for travel to the Philippines from Australia. After delays caused by COVID, we are sure this service will be welcomed by West Australians seeking a unique travel experience in the Philippines,” said the Philippine Department of Tourism’s Officer-in-Charge, Eleanor Palima.
Why book a trip to the Philippines? Here’s 10 reasons why:
1. The Philippines is undoubtedly one of the top beach destinations in the world. From rocky shores and sparkling waters to secluded islands and endless stretches of white sands and coconut palms, you’ll be sure to find the paradise escape of your dreams on your next visit to the Philippines. Palawan has some of the best beaches – not only in the Philippines, but in all of southeast Asia. The best part? Only a fraction of them come even close to being ‘well known’.
2. The country is a cultural melting pot, with each region taking pride in its own quirks, dialects, and dishes which have been influenced over the centuries by countries that once colonised the archipelago including the Spanish, Americans and the Japanese.
3. Chances are that Filipino food will be relatively unfamiliar tom most travellers compared to Thai or other Asian cuisines. But as an island nation with one of the longest coastlines in the world and fertile inland regions, Filipino food is not to be missed.
4. It’s a hub for wellness tourism. A swathe of farm stays and wellness retreats offering traditional healing and treatments have emerged in the past few years putting the region on the radar of many health and wellness seekers.
5. The most idyllic and luxurious resorts on the planet are in the Philippines. From sleeping above clear blue waters and watching tropical marine life in an exclusive sea villa, to jungle-inspired wellness retreats and sipping cocktails on the edge of gorgeous ocean-fronting infinity pools.
6. Lasting anywhere between a day to an entire month, festivals in the Philippines are huge cultural celebrations that attract both local and foreign tourists thanks to their colourful and celebratory nature. What’s more, there’s usually at least one festival taking place in a town somewhere in the country on any given day.
7. While the beaches and resorts are ripe for a ‘flop and drop’ escape, the Philippines is also home to a raft of exciting adventure activities. Think hiking stunning mountain ranges, exploring the abundance of surfing and diving spots, or swimming with rare whale and thresher sharks.
8. The Philippines has some of the best diving on the planet. This vast archipelago of 7,641 islands scattered across 300,000sq km of ocean has nearly nine per cent of the world’s coral reefs and is the epicentre of global marine biodiversity.
9. Blessed with unspoilt natural riches and ancient history, the Philippines is paving the way with some of the best eco-friendly and sustainable travel experiences on the planet, including geo-reserve stays and countless eco parks and agritourism experiences.
10. It’s affordable, no matter what your budget. Usually, budget travel conjures thoughts of no-frills hostels or lodges, but in the Philippines high-quality hotels with luxurious pools, great restaurants, ocean views and beach access can be found dotted all around the islands from around $80 per night.
