We flew from Cebu to Boracay by plane. There was cloud cover, firstly. Secondly, the windows of the portholes were all streaked and cracked. So, we couldn't take any aerial photos. It's a pity, as very beautiful views opened up in the gaps of the clouds, which soon disappeared into the unknown.
The islands floating beneath us were wrapped in a light green coral corset. Sometimes, even the tiny island was torn apart by an internal lagoon. The magical flight in the blue-green space lasted one hour.
From the airport located at the northern tip of Panay Island, there are still two kilometers to Boracay by sea, which we covered by boat in half an hour.
Boracay gained fame only in recent years. It was discovered by "self-organized" tourists in the 1980s, and this paradise corner of the Philippines gradually began to gain popularity and is considered today one of the best beach vacation spots.
A few days after returning from the Philippines, I was invited to a meeting of the State Agency for Tourism, where issues of the past season and tasks for the current year were discussed. I listened with interest to the report of the then director, Turusbek Mamashov. The report was emotional and, as they say, to the point. They talked about problems. But the main thing that pleased me was that the "levels" of power finally came to understand the importance of tourism for Kyrgyzstan. Sitting at the meeting, I felt the urge to talk about tourism in the Philippines, as this country, I dare say, is a great tourist power.
First, a brief overview of tourism resources. Luxury resorts are located in areas where the local nature is especially generous: coral gardens with numerous fish, limestone cliffs, volcanoes, lagoons, lakes, caves, tropical forests... In addition to natural wonders, the Philippines is famous for its golf courses and excellent diving, which is developed at the state level.
Cities in the Philippines present a stark contrast to the islands. They are among the most modern and ethnically diverse metropolises in all of Southeast Asia. In Manila and Cebu, we saw skyscrapers reaching above the line of low ocean clouds. Excellent five-star hotels, modern shopping centers, cozy bars, casinos, and a wide variety of restaurants... But the main thing in the Philippines is the people. Their culture is a sum of shades from over a hundred cultures of the island peoples. It is a noble shining crystal, which can be described as "a hundred in one." As a result of numerous migrations and colonizations, the culture has been strongly influenced by Chinese, Spanish, and American cultures. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, and this is reflected in the national character. Filipinos are people with a rational Western mindset, a passionate Latin American heart, and a mysterious Eastern soul.
The total length of the coastline of all the Philippine islands is thirty-five thousand kilometers. No other country in the world has as many beaches. The water temperature here ranges from 26 to 28 degrees year-round. The color of the sea changes from deep blue to emerald green. All this is an unlimited potential for the development of mass beach tourism and recreation. Sand, sun, water, ecology, various entertainment, diving, sailing — in short, this is the direction we want to develop at Issyk-Kul. And as for how things are on our jewel, we all know well.
An example of smart tourism management in the Philippines is Boracay Island. It is surrounded by a wide strip of white sandy beach. It measures only seven kilometers in length and one kilometer in width at its widest point. There is also its highest point — Mount Laho: almost 100 meters above sea level. But this is enough to survey the entire island from the observation deck located at the top.
All around the perimeter, more than two hundred resorts and hotels are located, each a fairy-tale embodiment of architectural ideas harmoniously integrated into the philosophy of a tropical island.
One of Boracay's innovations is sand architecture. On Boracay, palaces and fortresses are built from wet sand every day. Fortunately, there is no shortage of building material for such constructions on the beach. This can be called whatever you like: a pleasant and interesting pastime, a hobby, or simply a desire to contribute to the grand project of sand constructions. Anyone who wishes can participate in this.
After the bright Philippine sun burns in the colors of sunset, the windows of the castles light up with evening lights. The idea of lighting kerosene lamps in sand castles came to the local craftsmen. It was well received by tourists on Boracay. Sand architects sit by their creations almost until midnight, then head home. By night, the waves of the tide turn the fairy-tale city back into sand. And in the morning, everything starts anew.
If you are lucky, you might see a costumed procession of local natives. However, the black-skinned Ati tribe that once lived here has long since dissolved...
The first thing that amazed me in Boracay was the absence of any boundaries between resorts and hotels. I mean fences, barriers, and the like. All of them face the open sea. Thus, the island's beach belongs to all vacationers. It doesn't matter which hotel you are staying at; you can sunbathe and swim anywhere on the island.
The internal space of Boracay is filled with shopping streets, restaurants, and bars, where the nightlife never stops. Restaurants offer cuisines from around the world and, of course, live music. Boracay, considered the capital of nightlife, offers a huge variety of concerts and parties.
This is a true island of tourism, entertainment, and relaxation. Walking along its beaches, I recalled my recent trip to Issyk-Kul.
How unsuccessfully we tried to break through to the free Issyk-Kul shore with tourists from Moscow! Where there used to be access to the shore, now stood tall fences separating the under-construction and already built boarding houses, and the angry security guards watched us with disapproving looks. Behind the fences, it was not a paradise either. Yurts and shabby shops made up a meager infrastructure, and there was a very limited range of entertainment or a complete absence of it.
Boracay is just one of the seven thousand Philippine islands. Its convenient location, proximity to the airport, including international ones, marine docks... and other infrastructure. Other islands also possess similar resources and conditions. Moreover, some of them are advertised as uninhabited corners of the Earth. There are also those designed for the super-rich clients who can rent the entire island for a few days of rest and adventure. Naturally, such a program implies not only interaction with nature, like Robinson Crusoe, but also top-class service.
I cannot help but touch on another aspect.
The hotels and resorts where we stayed were distinguished by excellent service and, as I mentioned, genuine hospitality from the staff. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, which, you must agree, is quite important. But what surprised me was the prices. The cost of a double room averages from 70 to 90 dollars, including breakfast. I couldn't help but say a few words about breakfast. I specifically took the trouble to count the number of dishes offered in hotels rated three to four stars. So, the breakfast menu ranges from 60 to 100 dishes! And what do we have at Issyk-Kul? Prices for accommodation soar above 100 dollars, breakfast consists of semolina porridge, fried eggs, tea, coffee. Moreover, mediocre service, indifferent attitude towards clients, and all that...
In his speech at the meeting I mentioned, Mr. Mamashov noted that for Kyrgyzstan, the Siberian region of Russia is a priority market for tourism. A correct orientation, and good thoughts. But while we are talking about this, all of Siberia and the Far East of Russia are actively populating the Philippine islands. I realized this while traveling in the Philippines. I not only saw Russian tourists but also spoke with them. A two-week trip to the Philippines for a resident of Siberia and the Far East costs two thousand dollars, including airfare. Meanwhile, a similar trip to Issyk-Kul (if we consider at least a service level close to that of the Philippines) costs two and a half to three thousand dollars. So, the story about the "beautiful Issyk-Kul" will no longer work. We need to think about how to make a vacation at our lake cheaper and the service better.
However, let's leave the beaches and move into the depths of the islands. When you travel along the roads of the Philippines, you get the impression that you have entered Spain. Almost ninety percent of the populated areas have retained their old Spanish names - San Juan, San Miguel, San Sebastian, and so on. All these are names of governors, viceroys, military commanders, and ship captains who discovered and lived in the Philippines. Years have passed, but Filipinos have not even thought of changing all these far from local names. As for us... I won't talk about that. In the Philippines, we should talk about the Philippines.
One of the strongest impressions remained after traveling on Palawan Island. This is the westernmost and least explored island of the archipelago. Palawan is a true island of adventures. Steep cliffs dropping into the sea limit the possibility for visits. Dense rainforests cover the entire territory of the island. Rare animals, giant caves, lagoons, waterfalls - everything remains in its pristine form. The Philippine authorities deliberately, despite the land shortage, restrain the development of any industries here. Traditional fishing, agriculture, and tourism are prioritized.
The desire of the Philippine authorities to preserve the unique island in its pristine state deserves respect. The world is rapidly developing, shrinking the spaces of wild nature. There is no doubt that in the foreseeable future, the most expensive and desirable tourist product will be wild nature corners. The last two "revolutions" have set Kyrgyzstan back a decade. It's a pity that considerable efforts and resources have been wasted. Much of what was achieved has been lost, and we will have to start over.
But our republic still has a chance to join the ranks of countries with promising tourist products. And it is very important not to forget this in the pursuit of tourist numbers.