Stella Arnaldo
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Stella Arnaldo
@akosistella.bsky.social
25 followers 16 following 180 posts
Politicking foodie who loves to travel. Journalist in Manila.
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akosistella.bsky.social
THE Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) event was a great success, putting focus on #Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as the hub of the Slow Food movement in the #Philippines, and in the region. #SomethingLikeLife #SlowFood #gastronomy #travel #tourism

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/19/w...
Why Slow Food felt right at home in Bacolod | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) was a great success, putting focus on Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as the hub of the Slow Food movement in the Philippines, and in the region. Founded in It...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 20, 2025 at 2:06 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Among other #travel trends “include longer holidays, more visa relaxation, and significant shifts in consumer sentiment towards AI for travel, alongside widespread adoption of AI tools by the Chinese travel trade,” said Dragontail Int'l. #tourism #China

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/19/i...
Independent Chinese travelers, seniors open new horizons for PHL | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
CHINESE outbound travelers are becoming more independent, moving away from the usual tour groups, while a growing number of senior citizens are also making their presence felt in destinations abroad. ...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 19, 2025 at 2:35 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
UN Tourism : So although globally, arrivals recovered to prepandemic levels in the year 2024, in Asia, the recovery was still at 86 percent in 2024…So far, this year between January and September, the recovery reached 90 percent [of prepandemic levels].”

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/17/a...
Asia-Pacific tourism still catching up as inflation tops experts’ concerns | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
INFLATION, or the rate by which consumer goods and services rise, is a major concern of tourism experts worldwide, although a majority of them feel that tourism in their respective destinations will p...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) supports Amadeus' findings—some 6.25M traveled outside the #Philippines from January to October this year, up 11.61% from the same period in 2024. #KnowMore #outboundtravel #tourism #Asean #AsPac

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/15/p...
PHL emerges as top source market for ASPAC travel | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE Philippines is becoming a strong contender as a source market for tourists within the Asia-Pacific region, and specifically, Southeast Asia. In a recent webinar on Travel Insights 2025 and Travel ...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 15, 2025 at 3:12 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
BFI Chair Dindo Salazar said, based on the information his group has received, the daily power outages have been caused by “high tide, as the temporary [transmission] line is splashed with water and shuts down.” #travel #tourism #Philippines #electricity

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/09/d...
Daily power outages in award-winning Boracay ‘unacceptable’, says DOT | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
Just fresh from its recent honor at the World Travel Awards (WTA), Boracay Island has been experiencing daily power outages since December 4. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, in a Viber mess...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Its luxury accommodations and delicious dishes aside, #AmoritaResort ups the ante of hospitality with loving displays of affection toward its discriminating clientele. #SomethingLikeLife #hospitality #Bohol #travel #tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/05/b...
Bohol bliss: How Amorita turned my Halloween into a dream | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
“WHERE are you spending Halloween?” asked my hotelier-friend Leeds Trompeta in Ilonggo, adding, “Visit me na.” That was October 2, and 29 days later, I was leaving the chaos and noise of the Undas pas...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 6, 2025 at 1:58 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully: “Manila will be popular with West Australian holidaymakers for its great value shopping, tasty food scene and rich history and cultural experiences.” #travel #tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/04/n...
New Jetstar nonstop services seen to lift PHL tourist market | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
TOURISTS from Australia are now a growing source market for the Philippines, with their numbers likely boosted with new nonstop flights between both countries. This developed as Jetstar Airways launch...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
In particular, the hotel group is offering overseas Filipino workers an opportunity to invest in Hotel101-Davao and Hotel101-Libis Bridgetowne, by purchasing a condotel unit. #Hotel101 #hospitality #investment #travel #tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/12/01/o...
OFWs can now be tourism investors thru Hotel101 | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFW) intending to permanently return or retire in the Philippines can now participate in the country’s tourism industry by investing in a leading hotel group. In a news stat...
businessmirror.com.ph
December 1, 2025 at 1:40 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
The big winner of the evening was Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, which won Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign with its “100% Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments." #VirtusAwards #HSMA #sales #marketing #hospitality #travel #tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/28/t...
Terra Madre nets ₱47-M sales for organic farmers, slow food producers | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE inaugural Terra Madre Asia and Pacific (TMAP) generated some P46.5 million in sales during the five-day event. This was disclosed by local organizers as proof that the event was an “overwhelming s...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 29, 2025 at 1:28 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
The Street Food Exhibition along North Capitol Rd emerged as the highest earner during the event. It featured 107 exhibitors, and attracted 50K visitors, while events inside the Capitol Lagoon recorded an additional 25K in foot traffic.
#tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/28/t...
Terra Madre nets ₱47-M sales for organic farmers, slow food producers | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE inaugural Terra Madre Asia and Pacific (TMAP) generated some P46.5 million in sales during the five-day event. This was disclosed by local organizers as proof that the event was an “overwhelming s...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 28, 2025 at 6:28 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
TOURISM Regional Director for Western Visayas Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez: "Tthe hospitality industry is responding to the increasing demand for hotel keys and convention facilities [in #Bacolod]." #TerraMadreAsiaPacific #SlowFood #travel #tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/27/t...
TMAP surge highlights need for more hotel rooms in Bacolod | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE recent Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) in Bacolod City highlighted the need for the city to add more hotel keys, as reports of room shortages during the five-day event were made known. The Depar...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Last year, only 5.95M foreign visitors arrived in the Philippines, missing its target of 7.7M. @TourismPHL blamed this on the suspension of the e-visa scheme in China. For 2026, the #Philippines is targeting inbound tourists to rise to 6.7M. #marketing

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/25/s...
Senate greenlights bigger DOT budget, urges stronger branding | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
SENATORS approved an increase in the 2026 budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT), specifically for its marketing and promotions. In a short plenary hearing on November 21, senators showed their sup...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 25, 2025 at 6:54 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
THE PHL Dept of Tourism is grappling with a spate of bad publicity about the #Philippines and is reaching out to more foreign tourists in a bid to convince them that their safety remains top of mind for the government. #travel #tourism

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/22/d...
DOT addresses tourist safety after robbery spree in Makati | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is grappling with a spate of bad publicity about the Philippines, and reaching out to more foreign tourists in a bid to convince them that their safety remains top of m...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 23, 2025 at 6:29 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Siargao and Pangasinan are among the new hotel sites for Robinsons Hotels and Resorts. #SomethingLikeLife #hospitality #travel #tourism #Philippines #KnowMore

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/21/w...
Why RHR’s Barun Jolly is bullish on PHL tourism | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
IF you ever get the chance to talk to Barun Jolly, Business Unit General Manager of Robinsons Hotels & Resorts (RHR), take your time and engage—he will make you think that everything is alright in the...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 22, 2025 at 8:54 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Slow Food International Paolo Di Croce said: “Good food doesn’t necessarily come from abroad, like potato chips and Coca-Cola. We buy many things that are not sustainable. It’s cheap but it’s not good for the health. It [raises] the cost of health care.”

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/21/t...
Terra Madre in Aspac makes PHL debut | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
BACOLOD CITY—The inaugural Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 (TMAP) formally opened on Wednesday at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Lagoon, with a gathering of over 2,000 delegates not just fro...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 21, 2025 at 2:18 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
“There were moments when buyers told us that the #Philippines has fallen off the radar simply because other countries are more visible. This is why intensified and well-aligned strategies are important."

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/18/f...
Foreign buyers renew interest in PHL, but marketing push weak | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE Philippines received renewed interest from foreign travel buyers at the recent World Travel Market in London, but Filipino stakeholders pointed out the need for an improvement in the country’s mar...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
The M. East continues to outperform other regions in int'l #travel, in terms of destinations and as a source market for tourists. For KSA, specifically, its outbound tourism is projected to reach US$25.49B by 2027, from $10.86B in 2021. #tourism #Philippines

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/14/m...
More Riyadh flights will boost Saudi arrivals | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
ADDITIONAL flights between Riyadh and several Philippine destinations are seen boosting the tourist arrivals from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In a news statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia F...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 15, 2025 at 8:48 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Still savoring the #MichelinGuidePH honors, but also a suggestion how the Department of Tourism can actually tighten its #marketing strategy and get more foreign tourists to visit the #Philippines, in the link below. #SomethingLikeLife #travel #tourism

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/14/a...
As PHL restos earn Michelin stars, DOT needs its own spark | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
Congratulations to all the chefs, professional cooks and kusineros, as well as the restaurateurs and their dining establishments for being named on the first Michelin Guide for the Philippines. I atte...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 AM
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Frasco added that #Philippines legislation “provides fiscal incentives for #tourism and other related developments that are focused on championing sustainability, green innovation, job generation, as well as equitable regional development.” #travel

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/11/p...
PHL touts PPPs at London Summit to boost tourism | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
A NUMBER of countries are encouraging the public and private sectors to work together and fund opportunities in the tourism and travel industry. Speaking at the 19th edition of the recent World Travel...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
THE Dept of Tourism is looking to institutionalize the partnership with #MichelinGuide to ensure the annual inspections of #Philippines restaurants, and expand to destinations outside of Metro Manila and Cebu. #MichelinGuidePH #MichelinStars25 #travel #tourism

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/03/p...
DOT eyes permanent partnership with Michelin Guide | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is looking to institutionalize the partnership with Michelin Guide to ensure the annual inspections of Philippine restaurants, and expanding to destinations outside of ...
businessmirror.com.ph
November 3, 2025 at 3:07 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
Accdg to AirAsia MOVE data, among those who booked flights Oct 30- Nov 2, at least 81% are traveling domestically, while 19% are heading abroad. The data includes other carriers and not just that of AirAsia. #travel #tourism #Philippines #Undas #AllSaintsDay

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/31/u...
UNDAS 2025: Travel soars as families head out of NCR | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
FILIPINOS are flying to local destinations as well as abroad for this All Saints Day/All Souls Day (Undas) weekend. This leaves Metro Manila hotels with less bookings, even for staycations, according ...
businessmirror.com.ph
October 31, 2025 at 12:47 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
"Based on the announced twice-weekly schedule through December 31, our working estimate is about 2,600–3,600 incremental Russian arrivals before yearend, depending on actual aircraft capacity and load factors.” #travel #tourism #Philippines #Russia #Boracay

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/29/r...
Russian couples and families are now ‘wintering’ in Boracay | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
RUSSIAN carrier IrAero Airlines made its first inaugural flight to Kalibo, Aklan on October 25, further firming up the air connection and tourism ties between Russia and the Philippines. The Departmen...
businessmirror.com.ph
October 30, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Reposted by Stella Arnaldo
angrystaffer.bsky.social
The White House is asking people not to share pictures of the East Wing because it’s even worse today.
October 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
akosistella.bsky.social
PHL Tourism Sec. Frasco on project KPIs: “It is our goal that it will convert into actual arrivals, actual revenues, and actual expansions in businesses.” #travel #tourism #Philippines #TikTok #MSMEs

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/21/p...
Philippine tourism to get a TikTok boost under deal for MSMEs | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
SELL on TikTok, promote the Philippines? The Department of Tourism (DOT) has partnered with the popular social media company to improve the promotion of services for micro, small, and medium tourism e...
businessmirror.com.ph
October 22, 2025 at 2:57 AM
akosistella.bsky.social
The report cited 𝘴𝘢𝘸𝘴𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘴 among the next “umami bombs,” in particular, “artisanal vinegars like 𝘚𝘶𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘢 (made from sap of coconut trees) or 𝘚𝘶𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘢𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘨 (from nipa palm sap) make for dipping sauces for grilled meats and marinade for raw fish kinilaw.”

businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/21/m...
Marriott report: PHL a rising culinary hotspot in Asia | Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
THE Philippines has been included among Asia-Pacific’s “next culinary hotspots,” cited for its local and foreign initiatives to introduce Filipino cuisine to mainstream markets. The Future of Food Asi...
businessmirror.com.ph
October 21, 2025 at 3:53 AM