Establishment of 24/7 Tourism Information Center

The 24/7 Action Center was established and organized in August 2013 to easily respond to the vital needs of the public in relation to health, security and safety and to cater to the inquiries of local and foreign tourists.

The center is located at Plaza Enrique Braganza and houses the offices of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-Ibig Fund, Tourism Information Center, City Disaster Risk, Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Emergency Response Team Unit.

The said offices function as front liners to protect the interest of the locals and visitors. The Tourism Information Center provides tourists with relevant information regarding Hundred Islands National Park and other tourist destinations while the PNP and POSO assure public order and safety. CDRRMO and the Emergency Response Team is well capacitated to quickly respond to disasters and local emergencies and are manned with rescue personnel and equipment.

Two (2) new ambulances were procured and are at stand-by at the Center while two (2) rescue boats are held at Lucap Boulevard and in the islands designated to transport tourists in an event of an emergency.

Construction, repair & rehabilitation of tourism facilities in the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP)

Currently, two (2) Floating Gazebos with Comfort Rooms, seven (7) Gazebos, 3-storey Pavilion, and 16 garden-type tables were constructed and installed at Quezon Island which could accommodate not less than 300 tourists per day. These provide ample comfort to groups who stays in the islands for picnic and gatherings and is availed through walk-in or reservation ,depending on the season.

A Chinese-inspired Guest House is also constructed to host at least six (6) guests per night. Its three (3) verandas provide guests with the relaxing ambiance and the scenic view of the nearby islands.

Added to the amenities in the island is the eco-friendly Solar Power Off Grid System that provides electricity in the island day and night, giving overnight guests opportunities to enjoy night activities safe and sound.

The island also exhibits the newly constructed life-sized statue of President Manuel L. Quezon, a tribute to the President who declared HINP as the first National Park in the Philippines. The mermaid structures that remind people of the phenomenal Philippine mermai movie, “Dyesebel” with scenes shot in the island, have also been restored.

Two (2) Floating Platform units in the Coral Garden were also reconstructed as jump are and resting area guests snorkeling in the Coral Garden and for safe viewing of the Giant Clams.

Likewise, the development in the other islands is in progress, like that of the recently completed rehabilitation of stairs going to the Governor’s View Deck at Governor's Island, where tourists can get an amazing 360 degrees view of the HINP. The 15-feet Statue of St Joseph the Carpenter with the Child Jesus installed in the zip-line view deck, is a must-see for pilgrims and other religious groups. Near the stairs are the newly built rest rooms sponsored by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.

Concrete markers were placed in each of the named islands to help guests identify the islands on his/her own. Two (2) new gazebos in Marcos Island and the new concrete tables constructed at the Virgin Island offer respite for guests on an island tour.

Other tourist destinations are currently being made more accessible to tourists who wish to see more of the city. The construction of 42 million worth Pandan-Bolo Beach Road will provide better access to Bolo Beach, that would soon bring opportunities and livelihood to the community residing at Bolo. Likewise, it would help promote the area as an alternative destination besides HINP.

Introduction of new activities in the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP)

The most recent attractions in HINP are the 140-meter zip-line and wall climbing and rappel tower installed in Quezon Island and the 546-meter zip-line at Governor’s Island. These are the must try activities being the very first activities that thrills everyone in an island-to-island traverse with a zip-line.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystems Management Program (SCREMP) donated 12 tandem model kayaks purposely for rental and add as amenities to HINP for tourists to enjoy.

The Philippine Adventures Consultants (PAC) also brought Helmet Diving in HINP, a thrilling underwater activity that is best enjoyed with family or barkada.

Promotion & Marketing

Promotions and marketing are very important tools in selling a tourism destination. Salient destinations in the City are promoted through social media, tri-media (TV, radio, print) and expositions.

Recently, Alaminos City is one of the leading destinations in the Northern Philippines regaining the confidence of different tour operators following the re-development of HINP. The average monthly domestic and foreign tourist arrival is observed to have doubled this year compared to preceding years attributed to the development in the islands and refinement of the operations at HINP. (link to chart of Tourist Arrivals) This is being attributed to the sincere interest and cooperation of the hotels, restaurants, transients and stakeholders that actually provide great influence in the promoting Alaminos City, e.g. in offering Hundred Islands as part of their tour packages.

The promotions and marketing strategies of the City is likewise holistic and efficient to capture target travelers. Use of social media sites such as Facebook, Blogspot, etc. became the cheapest way to market, likewise, getting greater chance of reaching and interacting with travelers.

Exchange deals with TV networks were likewise employed to advertise and be featured in various TV Programs and travel shows such as: (1) Kabayan Tambayan of ABS-CBN TFC Channel, (2) Juan Direction of TV5, (3) Landmarks of Net 25 and (4) Mag TV Na Atin to of ABS CBN Northern Luzon including regular feature to local news TV networks, ABS-CBN and GMA7.

Hundred Islands was also featured in local, national and international print media such as (1) Cruising, a Culture and Travel Tourism and Food Magazine (2) in Philippine Star (3) Philippine Daily Inquirer and (4) Manila Buletin.

The City’s participation to travel and trade expos also contributed to the influx of guests. Some of the trade expos that the City Tourism Office have joined are as follows:
1.North Expo, North Philippines “Tara na sa Norte Tourism and Travel Fair”, Atrium , Robinsons Place, Ermita, Manila, July 2013.
2.7th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo “Aliguas ed Turismo tan Ekonomiya, Provincial Training and Development Center, Lingayen, Pangasinan, April to May 2014.
3.Rimat ti Amianan Travel and Trade Expo, CSI Stadia, Dagupan City, October 20 to 26, 2014.

Capacity Building

The city government couple its Tourism Development with the Capacity Building of its communities, especially the tourism-related sectors. These activities increase their awareness on the importance, potential and impact of Tourism in the city and equip them to address the needs and future demands of the industry.

Comprehensive Training of Zip line Operators. This two-day workshop equipped the zip line operators at the Hundred Islands National Park with the technical know-how on the operation and management of the zip line facility and safety protocols to ensure a safe but thrilling adventure for tourists.

Front Office Operations Training. The City Tourism Office conducted a training on effective customer service to all front desk personnel of the city's hotels, transient houses and other tourism-related establishments. This training, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, aims to set standards on customer care in the city, especially with the continunig increase of tourists that visit the Hundred Islands.

Hilot Wellness NC II. This 18-day community-based training , in partnership with TESDA through Luciano Millan Memorial School of Arts, aims to produce skilled hilot practitioners that will promote health and wellness tourism in the city.

Hundred Islands Orientation cum Training for Bangkeros. The City Tourism Office led the orientation-training of bangkeros on the importance of registration of guests, operation of motorboats ferrying tourist passengers to HINP and other tourist spots, color coding, uniform requirement of boatmen, wearing of IDs, rental of motorboats for hire and zoning of HINP for various activities and users fees. They were also oriented on tour guiding and escorting and the importance of providing customer satisfaction.
The orientation-training is in preparation for the implementation of the Alaminos City Tourism Code and the projected increase of tourist arrivals due to the continuing development of the Hundred Islands.