#AlwaysTravelsafe: Travel worry-free this 2023

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Pacific Cross Travelsafe Plans offer benefits for travelers affected by flight disruptions

Pacific Cross provides travel insurance coverage for clients who were affected by the disruptions and technical issues in air traffic control at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last New Year’s Day. Through its Travelsafe Plan, Pacific Cross helps ease the burden of travel inconveniences by offering protection against flight delay, trip postponement, trip termination, among others.

“This 2023, we expect more Filipinos will be flying out of town or traveling outside the country. While this is exciting, there may be unexpected events that can negatively affect one’s trip. The NAIA incident is an example of where having travel insurance can help travelers manage the stress that comes from meeting the unexpected. We are happy that Pacific Cross is able to offer benefits and protection that can support clients at such a difficult time,” says Victor Tanjuakio, President & CEO of Pacific Cross Philippines.

A total of 361 flights were either delayed, canceled or diverted to other regional airports while around 56,000 passengers were affected on New Year's Day. The equipment that provided uninterrupted power supply in NAIA terminals went offline unexpectedly and failed to connect to Manila Electric Co.'s backup commercial power supply.

 

As one of the leading medical and travel insurance providers in the Philippines, Pacific Cross understands the burden of unforeseen inconveniences to travelers. As a testament to its commitment to providing reliable and relevant coverage, Pacific Cross offers Travel insurance products especially designed to address travel challenges such as missed connecting flights, trip cancellations or baggage delays.

Aside from these benefits, travelers are also assured of medical coverage (including for COVID-19), as well as emergency assistance benefits such as emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, care for minor children, compassionate visit, and return of mortal remains. Travelers can apply for individual, family, or group coverage, which are also available as peso, dollar, or euro plans. Pacific Cross is also Schengen-accredited.

Earlier this year, a study by Tangere revealed that five out of 10 Filipinos are ready to travel internationally. According to the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Statistics Authority, more than 37 million domestic trips were made in 2021, a 38.16% increase compared to the almost 27 million taken the previous year.

“Pacific Cross aims to ease some of the worries that come with unexpected situations during travel. With Travelsafe, we are able to give clients the peace of mind they need so they can enjoy their trips,” shares Mr. Tanjuakio.

Secure your trip today. Avail of a secure and convenient Travelsafe plan anytime, anywhere via bit.ly/GetTravelsafe. Pacific Cross is #HereForYou.

NYC & Company announced New York City Tourism reached 56.4 million visitors in 2022

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, announced that New York City’s economic recovery continued in 2022 with an anticipated 56.4 million travelers arriving in the City by the end of the year—a 71.4% increase over 2021. The City will see 47.4 million domestic and 8.9 million international travelers visit the five boroughs—with international visitation alone more than tripling over 2021. This activity marks the return of 85% of the City’s record 2019 visitation levels; New York City remains on pace to attract 61.7 million visitors in 2023. The pace of tourism’s rebound helps fuel the City’s economic recovery supporting approximately 410,000 jobs in the full leisure and hospitality sector and more than $40 billion in direct visitor spending or approximately $60 billion in total economic impact for the year.   

“New York City's economy continues to surge back with thriving tourism as domestic and international travelers seek the magic of the Big Apple,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Continuing to make New York a must-see destination for work or play and supporting our city’s tourism industry is critical to bringing jobs back to pre-pandemic levels.” 

“New York City has always proven itself to be resilient, and we have every reason to remain optimistic about tourism,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “With $40 billion in direct spend and a 71.4% increase in visitation, New York City as a destination has clearly demonstrated that its recovery pace is among the strongest in the country and that normal visitation patterns are returning.”   

“The strength of New York City’s economy has historically been bolstered by a strong tourism sector, which now accounts for 9% of the City’s jobs and supports thousands of businesses citywide,” said NYC & Company Board Chair and The Shubert Organization Executive Vice President Charles Flateman. “Ongoing investments in transportation, hotels, arts, attractions and other related sectors in the coming years will ensure the City’s growth by reaffirming New York City as a premier destination for business and leisure travel.”   

Several factors contributed to the City’s tourism rebound: throughout 2022, New York City saw a steady return of visitors across all five boroughs with travel activity beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns. The demand for hotels remained strong and was supported by a steady increase in midweek business travel. Meetings and conventions activity increased citywide with the Javits Center seeing a 15% increase from August to December 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021. In addition, the resumption of airline service routes, the continuation of infrastructure investments throughout the pandemic, and the addition of new tourism offerings, programs and major events across the five boroughs have been critical to attracting visitors back to the City and encouraging spending activity. Tax revenue generated by visitor spending saved each New York City household approximately $2,000 in 2022.   

Hotel performance grew throughout 2022 and is forecast to reach nearly 32 million room nights sold, just 20% below 2019 record levels. New York City is again among the top 25 US markets and was the highest-performing hotel city in the US in November and December 2022. For the week ending December 10, hotel demand recovered 96% of the 2019 benchmark with over 800,000 room nights sold. Hotel occupancy was over 90% and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) was over $400, which translates to a recovery of 124% of 2019 rates.   

Tourism and hospitality-related jobs in accommodations, restaurants, shops, museums, theaters, transportation and attractions across all five boroughs also saw steady improvement—although still below pre-pandemic levels—with a roughly 13% increase. As of October 2022, there were over 410K people employed in the full leisure and hospitality sector, accounting for 9% of all jobs in the City. The hotel sector, more specifically, also saw an increase in job strength, reaching 37,300 through October 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.   

New York City remains the largest point of entry to the US and a top destination for international travelers. International visitation, which accounts for nearly half of visitor spending, rebounded in 2022 with arrivals tripling over 2021 for a total of nearly 9 million travelers. Western European visitation rebounded significantly in 2022 after travel restrictions were removed at the end of 2021. In addition, travel from South America improved—from Brazil and Colombia in particular. In 2022, New York City’s five largest international markets were the United Kingdom (754,000), Canada (656,000), France (607,000), Brazil (520,000) and Spain (413,000).

Ongoing investment across New York City’s five boroughs will support ongoing tourism growth. These projects include a multibillion-dollar slate of improvements at LaGuardia, Newark-Liberty and John F. Kennedy airports; a new Moynihan Train Hall; and an expanded Javits Center to host business meetings and conventions. More than 11,000 hotel rooms will be added to the City’s inventory in the next three years and new attractions, museums, tours and other offerings continue to launch across the City. New York City will also benefit from major events in the coming years, including the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop beginning in 2023 and the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2026.  

Japan-affiliated Telco InfiniVAN partners with largest privately owned industrial estate, LIMA, to advance its network infrastructure

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Japan-affiliated telco InfiniVAN, Inc. continued to expand its fiber optic network infrastructure footprint by formally teaming up with LIMA Estate in Malvar, Batangas in a strategic partnership ceremony held last December to provide the country’s biggest privately-owned industrial estate with its network infrastructures.

The Aboitiz-owned, 800-hectare PEZA-registered economic zone, whose locators currently employ more than 65,000, will rely on InfiniVAN to provide backbone connectivity and ensure safe and reliable internet services to the mixed-use development hub. LIMA Estate currently hosts 140 locators, 167 retail stores and restaurants, a 4-star hotel, a transportation hub and over 4,000 households.

LIMA is part of the multi-awarded Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates that also includes the 540- hectare West Cebu Estate in Balamban, Cebu, and the 63-hectare Mactan Economic Zone 2 Estate in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Spanning over 1,400 hectares, and home to 200 companies — the multi-awarded Economic Estates are supported by a complete ecosystem of infrastructure facilities and services, operated by Aboitiz affiliates including Aboitiz InfraCapital, Aboitiz Power, and Aboitiz Construction.

The partnership agreement was signed by LIMA Estate’s Vice President for Operations, Clifford Academia and InfiniVAN’s Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Edgardo A. Opulencia.

InfiniVAN executives Shigeki Nakahara and Takeshi Ohba, together with LIMA Estate’s Vice President for Operations Clifford Academia, and Estate Operations Manager, Nido Villaflores, Jr. attended the signing ceremony.

“LIMA Estate is a thriving industrial-anchored mixed-use estate hosting about 140 companies that are into export, warehousing, and logistics. Adding to that, our fast-growing LIMA Central Business District increases the demand for fast and seamless connectivity for our tenants and customers. With InfiniVAN coming into the Estate, we are assured of a quality network redundancy, increasing our capacity to serve high-grade, fast, and reliable internet connection for our stakeholders. Ultimately, as we transform LIMA Estate into a smart and next-generation city, we also aim to create a great LIMA experience for our locators and customers,” said LIMA Estate’s VP for Operations, Clifford Academia during an exclusive interview.

InfiniVAN, Inc. is in full support of LIMA Estate’s objectives. Engr. Opulencia for his part declared that the “partnership with LIMA Estate is more than just a collaboration; it is a bond towards supporting innovations, improving productivity and attaining the maximum potential for all businesses that locate within the Estate.”

Get to know more of these breakthroughs and visit www.infinivan.com