EUROPE

About Me

Dominic Amayun He finished BA Economics, Master in Public Administration, and Doctor in Public Administration all at the University of St. Louis. He also finished Graduate Diploma in Tourism Development and Management at the University of the Philippines. He is currently wrapping up his thesis for his second master’s degree.…Continue reading “About Me”

10Jun 202118 Jul 2022

England and Wales Itinerary – Day 1 to Day 4 of 101 Days in Europe

Day 1 I booked my round-trip flight with Air China because at the time of booking, it was the cheapest. …

10May 202118 Jul 2022

Europe Travel Itinerary for Pinoys – Day 59 to Day 101 of My 101 Days in Europe

This is the second part of my 101 Days Itinerary in Europe covering Day 59 to Day 101. Days 1…

9Apr 20211 Jan 2023

Europe Travel Itinerary for Pinoys – Day 1 to Day 58 of My 101 Days in Europe

This post is a preview of where I have been since I stared this journey. I have nothing to do…

ASEAN Tourism Branding: “Southeast Asia, Feel the Warmth” – In A Nutshell

22 Feb 202317 Feb 2023

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and the ASEAN region is no exception. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization made…

What is Tourism?

21 Feb 202320 Feb 2023

Tourism is an activity that involves traveling from one place to another for the purpose of leisure, pleasure, or business. It encompasses a range of activities that individuals or groups…

Tourism Geography In A Nutshell

18 Feb 202316 Feb 2023

Tourism geography is a subfield of human geography that focuses on the study of the relationship between tourism and the physical and cultural environments. It is concerned with understanding the…

Environmental, Economic, and Social Impacts of Tourism in the Philippines

17 Feb 202316 Feb 2023

Environmental Impacts of Tourism in the Philippines Tourism has become a significant contributor to the economy of the Philippines, with the country's rich cultural and natural heritage attracting millions of…

Importance of Email Marketing in the Tourism Industry

16 Feb 202316 Feb 2023

In the tourism industry, email marketing is an essential tool for businesses to reach out to potential and existing customers. Email marketing involves sending targeted messages to a list of…

Importance of ChatGPT in the Tourism Industry

ChatGPT, as a language model, can be a valuable asset for the tourism industry in a variety of ways: Customer service: ChatGPT can provide 24/7 customer service to tourists, answering…

Importance of TripAdvisor in the Tourism Industry and How Destinations Can Leverage on It

30 Jan 202330 Jan 2023

Some businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry regard TripAdvisor as their best friend while others regard it as their worst enemy. When it comes to online reviews, TripAdvisor is…

Lifestyle Entrepreneurship Explained

23 Jan 202324 Jan 2023

People typically choose a career and then organize their life around it (Truex, 2020). The opposite is done by the lifestyle entrepreneur, who designs their life around their career (Peters…

Tourism Marketing Mix Explained

16 Jan 202312 Jan 2023

So what distinguishes tourism marketing from other industries? Its tourism marketing mix! There are at least 4 Ps and at most 7 Ps of marketing mix. Initially, there were 4…

2023 Tourism Trends

9 Jan 20238 Jan 2023

We are at the dawn of full tourism recovery and what comes with it are diverse needs and wants of tourists focused on finding new experiences across destinations they wanted…

Tourism Marketing Explained

5 Jan 20236 Jan 2023

Any marketing strategy employed by destination marketing players in the tourism industry is referred to as tourism marketing. Destination Management Organizations (DMO), accommodation like hotels, hostels, airbnb, guest houses and…

Indonesia’s Panoramic Train

28 Dec 202228 Dec 2022

Indonesia’s first panoramic train operated by the state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) offers passengers scenic rail routes that runs between Jakarta and Yogyakarta with tickets starting from…

Bhutan’s New Tourism Strategy Amidst the Pandemic

17 Oct 202226 Sep 2022

The Kingdom of Bhutan is reopening its borders to international travellers following the Covid-19 pandemic. Aside from welcoming visitors to the country, Bhutan has also unveiled a new tourism strategy,…

Space Tourism Market Trends

10 Oct 20222 Oct 2022

Space tourism can be defined as travel into space for recreational and leisure purposes. This type of travel encompasses lunar, suborbital, and orbital space tourism. Initially, the space missions were…

Rethinking Tourism: Taking A Flight From Sustainable Tourism to Regenerative Tourism

5 Oct 20226 Jan 2023

Humans have been travelling for centuries. Travel with tourism as a primary motive has only developed into one of the most important economic sectors worldwide over the past few decades.…

Is QR Code The Future Of Travel Industry?

3 Oct 20222 Oct 2022

According to Toshniwaal (2022), the Covid-19 Pandemic brought to the forefront remarkably quick the widespread adoption of QR technology, helping out businesses that needed a way to communicate in a…

Rethinking The Influence of Global Tourism: Sustainability to Regeneration

26 Sep 202226 Sep 2022

Alongside tourism’s biggest bounce-back yet since 2020, sending consumers rushing back to overcrowded destinations, the travel industry continues to dig for ways to avoid a return to business-as-usual — and…

Future-Proofing Tourism Through Digitalization

While traditional tourism has been the mainstay for many economies, smart tourism is the way forward post-COVID. COVID-19 is an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future — a shift…

Thailand To Offer Thousands Of Tourism Job Opportunities To Filipinos

Jobs related to tourism and hospitality industry are expected to be offered soon for Filipinos in Thailand. This is one of the main agreements in the bilateral meeting between the…

Severe Staff Shortages Reported in Thai Hotels

9 Aug 20229 Aug 2022

Thai hotels are suffering from severe staff shortages as the hospitality industry struggles to recover from the fallout of Covid-19, according to the Thai Hotel Association (THA). About 68 per…

France to Require Ph.D. Students to Take an Oath of Research Ethics

16 Jul 202217 Jul 2022

As required by a 2020 law in France, starting this fall, 2022, it will be mandatory for researchers in all fields once they enrol in their Ph.D.s or renewing their…

Cheapest Destinations in Southeast Asia to Travel this 2022

22 Jun 202217 Jul 2022

Wade (2022) ranked major destinations in the world according to Backpacker’s Index developed by Price of Travel in 2020. The ranking is based on daily expenses to include a dorm…

How Tourism Contributed to Climate Change

23 May 20226 Jan 2023

Tourism is a one of the contributors to manmade climate change. Hence, the industry must do its part to clean up and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as much as…

Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Yogyakarta

10 Apr 20226 Jan 2023

If Jakarta is Indonesia's financial and industrial powerhouse, Yogyakarta is its soul. Central to the island’s artistic and intellectual heritage, Yogyakarta is where the Javanese language is at its purest,…

Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts of Tourism in Singapore

15 Mar 202217 Jul 2022

Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and one of the smallest countries in the world. Despite its small size, Singapore is ranked 4th in terms of international tourist…

Why is There a Need to Have Knowledge of Tourism Impacts?

10 Feb 202217 Jul 2022

Tourism isn’t just about holidays and new adventures to different destinations. The industry makes the world go round, quite literally. From supporting local businesses to making trillions of dollars of…

Describing Philippine Tourism Products Using Mckercher’s Product Taxonomy

15 Jan 202217 Jul 2022

UNWTO does not provide a system on how to classify tourism products because of the notion that a “tourism product” is not the same “product” being referred to in economics.…

Philippine Domestic Tourism Recovery Through the Implementation of the Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor and the NCR Plus Travel Bubble

16 Dec 202117 Jul 2022

Summary Domestic tourism recovery using the travel bubble strategy is on the post-lockdown agenda of the Philippines and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Domestic tourism is the focus in the wake…

Japan

Holiday Trip to Osaka Just Before the Start of Covid19 Lockdown in Japan

30 Nov 202117 Jul 2022

I haven’t updated this blog for so long but here I am making a new post to share my travel experiences in Osaka that happened from February 16-21, 2020, just…

Bali Travel Guide for First Time Pinoy Travelers

28 Oct 202117 Jul 2022

About Bali Bali is not your ordinary destination – it’s more than the beaches, the temples, the food and its people. Bali for me is a living museum! Bali may…

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Pinoy Travelers

10 Sep 202118 Jul 2022

About the Place Dubai is one of the 7 Emirates that makes up the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is also the most populated and economically progressive emirate of the country.…

Bangkok Travel Guide for First Time Pinoy Travelers

26 Aug 202118 Jul 2022

I have been to Bangkok several times and hope to be back soon. I love Bangkok especially the food. Bangkok is such a lovely place for solo travelers. From the…

The Hanging Coffins of Sarangani

22 Jul 202118 Jul 2022

I have never heard of hanging coffins in the Philippines outside Sagada. Sagada has always been associated with hanging coffins. I was so distracted when I was in Kiamba (a…

7 Best Churches in Quezon for Visita Iglesia

6 Mar 202118 Jul 2022

The Province of Quezon is so huge that it has 2 Dioceses and 1 Prelature – the Diocese of Lucena covering the southern part, the Diocese of Gumaca covering the…

7 Best Churches in Cavite for Visita Iglesia

6 Feb 202118 Jul 2022

Another great option for a Visita Iglesia from Manila is the Province of Cavite. Cavite has some century-old churches that are at par or similar to the ones in other…

Basilicas in the Philippines

8 Jan 202126 Jul 2022

A local church can only become a basilica upon declaration of the Pope through a Papal Brief. Once a church is declared a basilica, the basilica status remains forever and…

7 Best Churches in Laguna for Visita Iglesia

6 Jan 202118 Jul 2022

Holy week or not, these 7 Century Old Churches in Laguna are worth visiting because of their historical and cultural value. And as a cultural and religious tradition among Filipino…

7 Best Churches in Batangas for Visita Iglesia That Are Accessible via STAR Tollway

6 Dec 202018 Jul 2022

Doing Visita Iglesia in Batangas has become very convenient because of STAR Tollway (Southern Tagalog Arterial Road) that runs from Sto. Tomas to Batangas City. STAR Tollway is directly connected…

Top 10 Beaches Near Manila For A Day Trip Anytime of the Year

6 Nov 202018 Jul 2022

Summer in the Philippines means fun in the sea, sand, and sky. Ok, let me correct that, everyday is, regardless if its summer or not, beaches in the Philippines are…

Japan Travel Guide – Summary of 7D6N Do It Yourself Japan Itinerary | Part 5

24 Oct 202018 Jul 2022

This is the last part which summarizes my 7D6N Japan itinerary. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. Part 3 is here. Part 4 is here. In a span…

Japan Itinerary – 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe | Part 4

18 Oct 202018 Jul 2022

This is Part 4 of my 7D6N Japan itinerary. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. Part 3 is here. Day 6 – Osaka and Kyoto in a Day…

Awesome World…

Japan Travel Guide – 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe | Part 3

15 Oct 20205 Jul 2022

This is Part 3 of my 7D6N Japan itinerary. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here. Day 4 – Temple Run in Kyoto Last night I had a great…

Japan Travel Guide – 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe | Part 2

10 Oct 20205 Jul 2022

This is Part 2 of my 7D6N Japan Itinerary. Part 1 is here. Day 2 – A Journey to the Center of the Earth – the DisneySea Experience I really…

Japan Travel Guide – 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe | Part 1

5 Oct 20205 Jul 2022

I have visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe in 7 days. I made sure my itinerary fits my 7-Day JR Pass. I wished I could have stayed more -…

Japanese Tourist Visa Application Guide for Filipinos

2 Oct 202018 Jul 2022

Is Japan in your travel list when COVID-19 is over? Good idea! Japan is beautiful anytime of the year! I am sure you’ll love strolling in Narra and Kyoto. Or…

Australia Visa Application Guide

20 Sep 202018 Jul 2022

Updated August 8, 2020 Steps in Applying for Australian Tourist Visa ONLINE Philippine Passport Holders residing outside Australia can now apply for a Visitor e600 Visa online. The following are…

Nepal Visa Application Guide

10 Sep 202018 Jul 2022

As of August 7, 2020 Filipinos have 2 ways of securing a Nepalese Tourist Visa - visa obtained at the Consulate in Manila or visa obtained upon arrival at the…

Chinese Tourist Visa Guide for Filipinos

5 Sep 202018 Jul 2022

Filipinos holding ordinary passport are required to obtain a valid visa before entering mainland China. China Embassy in Manila is located at Dasmarinas Village Makati. Its Consular Section however is…

Jordan Visa Application Guide

30 Aug 202018 Jul 2022

As of August 8, 2020 First, Jordan doesn't have an embassy in the Philippines. What is in Manila is an Honorary Consulate and the nearest embassy is in Tokyo. Hence,…

Indian Visa Application Guide

20 Aug 202018 Jul 2022

As of August 10, 2020 India Visa Requirements and How to Apply Online Previously, Philippine passport holders are granted visa on arrival in India. However, it is no longer the…

USA…

US Visa Application Guide For Filipinos

15 Aug 202018 Jul 2022

As of August 15, 2020 STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A US TOURIST VISA Step 1 - Complete an Online Non-immigrant Visa Application (DS-160) here First…

Israel Visa Application Guide

10 Aug 202018 Jul 2022

Updated August 5, 2020 Filipinos do not need a visa to Israel for tourism purposes. Philippine passport holders can stay in Israel for not more than 90 days. Should I…

South Korea Visa Application Guide

5 Aug 202018 Jul 2022

As of August 5, 2020 Starting July 1, 2020, the South Korean Embassy in Manila will no longer issue visa sticker to be attached to one's passport. The visa sticker…

Egypt Tourist Visa Application Guide

3 Aug 202018 Jul 2022

Updated August 3, 2020 This is the updated details on How to Apply for Egyptian Tourist Visa in the Philippines. Philippine passport holders need a valid Egyptian tourist visa before…

New Zealand Tourist Visa Guide for Filipinos

30 Jul 202018 Jul 2022

There are 3 ways to apply for a New Zealand Tourist Visa: counter application, courier application and online application. I will discuss online application. NEW ZEALAND VISA APPLICATION ONLINE GUIDE …

5 Beaches Near Seoul You Have To Visit While Spending Summer In Korea

30 May 202018 Jul 2022

South Korea is not only about spring, autumn and winter. South Korea is also about summer. Summer in South Korea is during the months of June to August and like…

7 Waterfalls Near Manila For A Day Trip

28 Apr 202018 Jul 2022

Before the summer ends, why not visit these 7 Waterfalls Near Manila that will surely make your summer more than a beach! DARANAK FALLS Daranak Falls is my personal favorite…

Batanes Travel Guide Made Simple

20 Mar 202018 Jun 2022

I am coming up with travel guides to some of the Philippines' “must see destinations.” These travel guides are reduced to its simplest and most doable form so that anyone…

Underground Waterfalls in Iloilo

14 Feb 202018 Jun 2022

Almost virtually unknown is an underground waterfalls in the Philippines. And because I love waterfalls and I wanted to explore more about them, I decided to look for underground waterfalls.…

Taal Basilica Minore of St. Martin De Tours

2 Jan 202018 Jul 2022

The Minor Basilica of San Martin De Tours in Taal, or simply Taal Basilica, is the largest church in the Philippines and the whole of Asia. The facade of Taal…

Calamba, Laguna Church of St. John the Baptist

15 Dec 201918 Jul 2022

Calamba City's main church is the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist which was built in the 19th century. In Philippine history, Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippines' national hero, was…

Liliw, Laguna Church of St. John the Baptist

16 Nov 201918 Jul 2022

The main Catholic Church in Liliw, Laguna is the Parish of St. John the Baptist which is famous for its striking façade made of red bricks and adobe. The church…

Lumban, Laguna Church of San Sebastian The Martyr

15 Oct 201918 Jul 2022

This is the grand century old San Sebastian The Martyr Catholic Church in Lumban, Laguna. It was erected in 1600 and the first stone church built in Laguna. The church…

Walking Tour Itinerary in Tirana

20 Feb 201915 Feb 2023

Tirana, the capital of Albania, is a city that can be easily explored on foot. Here's a walking tour itinerary that will take you through some of the most interesting…

Phuket Travel Guide for First Time Travelers

9 Jan 20197 Jan 2023

About the Place Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is considered the most economically progressive province of the Kingdom. It is located in the southern part of the country and…

Holy Land Series…

Wadi Rum – The Valley of the Moon

20 Dec 201828 Jul 2022

Biblical Significance Wadi Rum has no biblical or religious significance Why Visit Wadi Rum Wadi Rum or Valley of the Moon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southern…

Holy Land Series…

Petra – Why Do I Love Thee?

20 Nov 201826 Jul 2022

I will start with a poem about Petra - my origial composition. Though it lacks many of the attributes of a standard poem, still, it's a poem. Lol. Let me…

Holy Land Series…

Sea of Galilee Boat Ride

27 Oct 201826 Sep 2022

No Holy Land pilgrimage tour is complete without a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We headed for this trip before lunch and no food is served here unlike…

Holy Land Series…

Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation

24 Oct 201826 Jul 2022

“Welcome to Holy Land, The land of God!” said our Tour Guide the moment we got inside the tour bus after crossing the Jordan-Israel border. I could hardly believe that…

Holy Land Series…

Mt. Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration

25 Sep 201824 Jul 2022

Today, I am visiting the site where the transfiguration of Jesus happened. Transfiguration means change in form or appearance. This is an event where Jesus’ appearance has changed - from…

Holy Land Series…

Mount of Beatitudes

25 Aug 201824 Jul 2022

It’s Sunday and we are visiting the Mount of Beatitudes. I remember memorizing the Beatitudes as a form of prayer when I was a kid. Until today, my basis of…

Holy Land Series…

Capernaum, House of Peter, and The Synagogue of Jesus

26 Jul 201823 Jul 2022

It's an exciting day as I am visiting the town where Jesus spent most His adult life - where He did some of His miracles and where He preached in synagogues.…

Holy Land Series…

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish

6 Jun 201819 Jul 2022

Not far from Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee is the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish or commonly called the Church of the Multiplication. It was first…

Holy Land Series…

St Peter’s Fish For Lunch

27 May 201823 Jul 2022

After visiting the Man on Galilee Museum where I saw the 2000-year old wooden boat and after experiencing that boat ride on the lake, I was eagerly excited for lunch.…

Holy Land Series…

Church of the Primacy of Peter, Mensa Christi, and the Sea of Galilee

26 May 201824 Jul 2022

I remember the homily of Pope Francis when he celebrated mass at Manila Cathedral. The first line of his homily was, “Do you love me?” and the audience responded with…

Holy Land Series…

Jordan River and the Baptism of Jesus

2 Apr 201823 Jul 2022

Scholars, historians, and theologians believe with absolute certainty – which can be established with unprecedented verifiable facts - that there are two events in the life of Jesus that are…

Holy Land Series…

The Wedding Church In Cana

6 Mar 201823 Jul 2022

The first public miracle of Jesus is the turning of water into wine during a Jewish wedding in Cana where He, Mary and some of His disciples attended. During the…

Jordan

Things to Know When Traveling to Jordan

24 Feb 201814 Aug 2022

Jordan is an Arab State smaller than the island of Luzon and is located East of Jordan River and Israel. It got its name from Jordan River and not the…

Jordan

Madaba Floor Mosaic and the Church of St. George

18 Feb 201827 Jan 2023

What the Bible Say Madaba is one of the oldest towns still existing that was mentioned in the Bible as being part of the territory parceled out by Moses to…

Holy Land Series…

Mt Nebo and Memorial of Moses

18 Jan 201820 Jul 2022

Significance of Mt Nebo Mt Nebo is the place where God showed the Promised Land to Moses. However, Moses was not able to enter the Promised Land as he died…

Maasin Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption

27 Jan 201728 Jul 2022

One can not miss this old church when in Maasin City which is situated near the City Hall. Along the national road of Maasin stands the picturesque Cathedral of Nuestra…

Sorsogon Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul

22 Nov 201629 Jan 2023

Undeniably the most noticeable structure in the whole of Sorosogon City, the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul has a huge dome ala-Vatican that dominates the city's skyline. The new…

Best Places to See in Hobart, Tasmania

23 Oct 201621 Jul 2022

I always say that Hobart is my favorite city in Australia – laid-back, relaxed, uncompromising yet it offers a blend of the elegant old and the lovely new. Hobart may…

Melbourne Walking Itinerary

6 Sep 201620 Jul 2022

It was a chilly morning – at 6 degrees Celsius – getting out for a walk is a sacrifice. But I have no choice since I am running short of…

Barcelona, Sorsogon Church of St. Joseph

22 Aug 201621 Jan 2023

The Saint Joseph Parish Church or commonly referred to as Barcelona Church in Barcelona, Sorsogon was built by the Franciscans in 1874. It is one of the oldest and considered…

Bay, Laguna Church of St. Agustine

15 Aug 201619 Jan 2023

The Church of St. Agustine in the town of Bay (pronounced as Ba-eh) is historically considered as the oldest Roman Catholic church in the province of Laguna. It was originally…

Paete, Laguna Church of St. James the Apostle

15 Jul 201615 Jan 2023

This is St James the Apostle Church in Paete, Laguna. This century old church is filled with centuries-old wooden paintings and statues of catholic saints. It features a baroque style…

Magdalena, Laguna Church of St. Magdalene

15 Jun 201612 Jan 2023

This is the magnificent century old Church of St Magdalene in Magdalena, Laguna. The church was built in its entirety in 1855. Interestingly, Emilio Jacinto, a Philippine Revolutionary Hero, was…

Bolinao, Pangasinan Church of St James the Great

2 Jun 201622 Jan 2023

Originally built in 1609, the church of St. James Parish in Bolinao, Pangasinan is made of black coral stones. Its bell tower was once the tallest in the entire island…

San Fabian, Pangasinan Church of St. Fabian

24 Apr 201621 Jan 2023

Originally built in 1768, the Parish of Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr in San Fabian, Pangasinan has been restored in 1856 after it has been burned when a sacristan carelessly…

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