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Airport projects, revenge travel to help gradual rebound of tourism in 2022

Amid an economic downturn, HPI posted substantial gains as evidenced by homebuyers’ rapid uptake of its properties at the height of the 2020-2021 pandemic and despite the 2020 Taal Volcano explosion.

Despite the colossal and negative impact of the pandemic, the country’s tourism industry is expected to fly higher with the completion of seven new airport projects in 2022, according to the latest report of Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC).This enabled the country to expand its annual passenger capacity to 16.7 million, LPC added.

The seven airports are Clark International Airport,  Kalibo International Airport, Catarman Airport, General Santos International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Bicol International Airport and Camiguin Airport. Moreover, Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is expected to be finished this year.

As the world slowly recovers from the pandemic and enters a brand new hopeful year, Tagaytay Highlands is confident that there will be continued strong interest in its premium themed residential communities.

The country will achieve a potential increase of 386.4 million in annual passenger capacity once all nationwide airport projects in the pipeline are completed.  “Various International airports will open up and ease travel of tourists to more destinations,” LPC said.

Properties in the countryside also experienced growth as provincial and tourism sites also posted a robust  increase in property prices. For instance, LPC noted a 67-percent rise  in land values in Peninsula de Punta Fuego when current land values rose in the range of P20,000 to P100,000 from P12,000 to P60,000 per sq m  in 2020.  In Kawayan Cove, LPC reported a 112-percent rise in property values to P27,000-P75,000  from P18,000-P30,000 per sq m in 2020. Meanwhile, Ayala Land Premier’s Anvaya Coves continues to live to its billing as a major resort result as property values posted an 85-percent increase as land values rose to P13,000-P40,000 to P24,000-P40,000 per sq m in 2021. Tagaytay Highlands posted a 12-percent increase as land values expanded to P13,000-P48,000 from P14,000-P43,000 per sq m in 2020. “Land values in the tourism sector have steadily increased due to the reopening of the economy and the easing of travel restrictions,” LPC said.



Despite the pandemic, Batangas seaside villages’ land values expanded as  interests for second homes near Metro Manila rose. Growth drivers include high speed Internet fiber connectivity and work from home arrangements.  Prices are expected to appreciate further with the completion of infrastructure projects such as the Cavite-Laguna Expressway will cut travel time from these provincial addresses to the Metro.

Meanwhile, Colliers Philippines believes that recovery in the leisure sector will likely rebound  anchored by domestic tourism, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) expecting domestic trips to reach 84.8 million in 2022 or 90-percent of the total number of domestic trips in 2019. Further, Colliers Philippines believes that the DOT will likely continue its domestic tourism push by promoting reopened local destinations in the country. It is also bullish that revenge travel among local travelers should help increase hotel occupancies of selected hotels across the country. Meanwhile, the DOT projects foreign arrivals reaching between 2 million and 5 million by 2022.

Tagaytay Highlands’ resiliency

Highlands Prime Inc. (HPI), a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, the developer of Tagaytay Highlands is currently the dominant player in the Metro Tagaytay market with the most active inventory at a time of high market interest. Despite an economic downturn caused by the 2020-2021 pandemic and the 2020 Taal Volcano explosion, HPI posted substantial gains as evidenced by homebuyers’ rapid uptake of its properties.

“This only goes to show the high level of confidence the market continues to have on HPI’s products, which is a testament not only to the improved customer satisfaction we enjoy from the buying public but also to the heightened degree of resiliency the Tagaytay Highlands team has demonstrated in handling these twin crises,” HPI Senior Vice President Lennie Mendoza told the BusinessMirror.

HPI also recently achieved a milestone when Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) cited as one of Calabarzon 2021 Outstanding Developers for Open Market Projects.

The award, “Gawad Husay sa Pagpapaunlad ng Real Estate,” was presented by DHSUD Region 4A-Calabarzon executives to Mendoza during the DHSUD 2021 Gawad Parangal held recently in Calamba City.

DHSUD has cited HPI for its remarkable accomplishments in developing well-planned, climate-resilient, vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities in Calabarzon. The recognition also expressed appreciation for HPI for supporting various projects of DHSUD through its SIKAT and BALAI programs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

HPI was awarded  because it has proven reliable and dependable developer who has committed and delivered quality products through the years. It also remains consistent in its compliance with DHSUD’s existing laws, rules and regulations.



Moreover, Tagaytay Highlands has also been awarded the Safety Seal of the City Government of Tagaytay for its steadfast commitment to continuously provide safe and secure facilities for its members, residents and their guests.

Inspired by these recognitions, Mendoza said Tagaytay Highlands remains optimistic that the same positive scenario going in  2022. Further, HPI has started laying the groundwork for an unprecedented lineup of top-level, high margin products to set the Highlands experience up for another game changing  scenario.

In 2022, Mendoza said Tagaytay Highlands will go green in consistent with the developer’s support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She said Tagaytay Highlands will put premium on social and environmental considerations on its products and services to protect and nurture its communities as well as its future developments.

Mendoza said Tagaytay Highlands’ facilities and personnel  adhere to the strictest adherence to sanitation procedures and safety protocols including disinfection, hand sanitation, wearing of face mask, and physical distancing.

As the country hopes to achieve a gradual recovery starting in 2022,  Mendoza said Tagaytay Highlands is confident that there will be continued strong interest in its premium themed residential communities. She added Tagaytay Highlands will remain focused to its vision to be the exclusive property of choice continues as demand rises for alternative primary homes with the health, well-being, and safety of future residents naturally.

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The article was originally published in Business Mirrors and written by Rizal Raoul Reyes.

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