Gone are the days when going out of town was a luxury. Traveling in the country’s more than 7,101 islands is no longer a budgetary issue because travel deals and airline promo seats are being made available regularly.
Promo fares and discounts abound in the ticketing industry, which further had a boost with the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) successful launch of its “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign earlier this year, it’s no surprise to see pictures or albums of quite a handful of one’s friends and acquaintances on Facebook containing their weirdest and funniest moments during trips, as well as bragging about setting foot on one of the many picturesque destinations.
Since the landscape of the domestic tourism industry is changing, it is but practical to join in on the trend. Enter the revamped Travel magazine, the bi-monthly travel magazine once known as LifeStyle Asia Travel under the One Mega Group.
After re-launching and renaming the magazine’s title in October last year, Travel associate publisher and deputy editor Monique Buensalido, who heads quite a young and dynamic editorial team, flashes a beaming smile and shares about the big turnabout.
“Lifestyle Asia Travel was really a spin-off of Lifestyle Asia, which was the Philippines’ leading luxury mag. All the trips and travels and destinations that were (featured were) very luxe. It was very selective only very posh hotels, posh suites, dream destinations, mga ganoon talaga,” explains Buensalido.
“Now with Travel, it’s (still) a little bit aspirational because travel will always be aspirational,” reiterates the young editor, adding that when one is stuck at work, the thought of going to a dream destination becomes an aspirational act.
“But (with Travel), we’re able to offer, show more options. If you’re a backpacker, there’s something for you. If you’re an adventurer, there’s something for you. If you like to shop, there’s something for you. If you like luxury, we still have something for you,” Buensalido says.
True enough, the pages of the newest issues of the magazine reflects this new vision. Filled with photos, often snapshots of scenic places and adventures of the author, it makes the experience of travel appealing and relatable. Apart from less text and more pictures, the publication contains more than just information about the place and the what-to-dos.
In the magazine’s volume 2 summer issue Smart Travel section, readers get practical tips and first aid guides for illnesses commonly associated with summer. Its current issue, volume 3: Pinoy Pride Issue, features what to see, what to do, where to eat and shop in top destinations Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao for their Citylogue section. For this issue’s Smart Travel section, readers get to know what makes up their favorite street food addiction such as the chicken isaw, kwek-kwek, Betamax, Adidas, banana cue, turon and balot.
Since the team promises to feature and highlight the best of what the Philippines has to offer, past issues contain feature sections on travel destinations and a section called Suite Life, featuring some of the top accommodations in the country. The magazine also highlights relevant events related to history and fiestas or celebrations, which is abundant in the country.
And since they are also encouraging readers’ participation, they also have avenues for contributions about their reader’s travels.
Almost a year after changing their look and title, Buensalido shares how their magazine was able to garner the attention they wanted to capture. “I think for the first time we really got so many emails, comments on FB, messages from people who love the magazine and want to contribute. Before kasi, I think people, well, it was Lifestyle Asia Travel, it was a very good mag as well. But it was more of ‘Oh, it’s a really nice mag.’ Ngayon, they really want to be part of it. They see themselves in the story that they read. They feel inspired to travel themselves.”
As part of the many plans for the magazine, the young deputy editor also shares that they have signed a one-year contract with the Department of Tourism.
“When we relaunched Travel mag last October, we realized we wanted to highlight the best of local travel. And to help out, we wanted to tap DoT, since they were highlighting (their campaign) ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’ I’m sure they have the expertise with what’s really fun in the Philippines so we are going to work with them for content starting on October. They’re gonna recommend the best places to go. They accredit a lot of accommodations and sights din kasi so at least we know if we feature (the place), it’s parang really good and sustainable,” informs Buensalido.
To mark the start of the partnership, the seal of the Tourism department will appear on the magazine’s cover starting in August for its Volume 4 edition. Buensalido shares that readers should watch out because it will be their bucket list issue.