TRAVEL WORLD: 07/18/22

Monday, July 18, 2022

Bringing back weddings on the Ridge July 18, 2022 at 03:09AM

Out of Town Blog
Bringing back weddings on the Ridge

The Oriental Luxury Suites Function Hall

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – With its year-round crisp cool mountain air and breathtaking panorama, Tagaytay City, along with its adjoining towns, is among the top tourist destinations in Luzon and a favorite getaway from Metro Manilans.

It is also a sought-after venue for weddings and receptions because of the romantic ambiance that this mountain resort evokes.

To reposition Tagaytay Ridge as a wedding haven after the Taal Volcano eruption and the Covid-19 pandemic, The Oriental Luxury Suites recently held the Wedding Coffee Date, a one-day expo showcasing the top service providers in the area.

Situated along the Tagaytay national road in Alfonso, Cavite, The Oriental is a royal Thai-themed boutique hotel overlooking Taal Lake and Volcano. It boasts of a 200-person function hall, exquisite Asian furnishings, six intimate executive suites, a presidential suite, and a mountain resort ambiance that will transport you to the ancient Siamese kingdom.

As the official reception venue, the hotel is offering a prenuptial shoot package worth P 25,000, which covers an 8-hour day use of an executive room, swimming pool, and common areas for the couple, entourage, and family members, makeup artists, videographers, and photographers.

Exhibitors featured were Town’s Delight Catering and Events, Moments by Ruffa, DT Sounds and Lights, and Freshminds Photography, which offered their services for a seamless and memorable wedding reception.

The Wedding Coffee Date is envisioned to be a quarterly fair to entice couples from Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and other parts of Luzon to tie the knot in the romantic ridge resort and re-energize the special events industry in the area.

Beyond weddings, The Oriental seeks to become an aspirational destination for trendy travelers who prefers a homey but elegant lodging away from the madding crowd.

It is just a few minutes away from the popular farm and garden-themed resorts and restaurants, which tourism and health authorities consider safe havens during the pandemic era.

VIP's at Wedding Coffee Date — VIP’s at Wedding Coffee Date

Toasting freshly-brewed coffee for the soon-to-be-wed couples are (from left) event organizer Ruffa Clemente of Moments by Ruffa, The Oriental Luxury Suites (hotel info), general manager Florebeth Villanueva, Department of Tourism Region-Calabarzon acting regional director Marites Castro, Town’s Delight proprietor Tim Castaños, and DT Sounds and Lights president Jojo De Belen.

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Original article: Bringing back weddings on the Ridge

Bringing back weddings on the Ridge
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Palawan gets first batch of butlers July 17, 2022 at 11:08PM

Out of Town Blog
Palawan gets first batch of butlers

DOT butler training in Puerto Princesa City

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The province of Palawan, consistently voted as World’s Best Island by prestigious international organizations and publications, is finally getting its first batch of butlers after the Department of Tourism-Mimaropa Region recently held a butler training at Hotel Centro Puerto Princesa City.

The first of its kind in the country, the trailblazing program aims to help the archipelagic province keep in step with the demands and challenges in the local hospitality industry. Palawan has hosted global conferences and high-profile events in recent years.

DOT assistant secretary Christopher Morales said that the training is part of its Upscaling Hotel Services, which seeks to create a corps of competent butlers who will provide world-class service and experience to VIP guests.

The training had 26 participants from DOT-accredited hotels in Puerto Princesa, as well as luxe resorts Banwa Private Island Resort in Roxas and Lihim Resort in El Nido.

Dubbed as the “Gentleman’s gentleman,” the butler provides highly-personalized service which is powerful and dynamic and seeks to exceed guest expectations and translate to customer loyalty.

Resource persons included ASEAN Master Trainer Dr. Santos Buenvenida and Hotel Centro operations manager Art Cayanan, who once served as butler to Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during his state visits to the Philippines.

To sustain the program’s momentum, the participants organized the butler association of Palawan and elected and inducted its officers during the event’s closing ceremonies.

The DOT intends to replicate the butler training in the county’s top tourist destinations to further enhance the Filipino brand of service excellence in the hospitality industry to global standards.

In the photo are DOT Mimaropa regional director Atty Bevienne Malateo and chief tourism operating officer Cecil Aranton being served by butler trainees.

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Original article: Palawan gets first batch of butlers

Palawan gets first batch of butlers
Bernard Supetran
Out of Town Blog