PTA general manager and chief executive officer Robert Dean Barbers announced this during a breakfast meeting with members of travel and tour operators in Metro Manila.

"This is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s program of holiday economics. PTA will be offering our countrymen and other tourists a chance to visit some of PTA’s tourist entities at very affordable rates and enjoy the summer vacation. This would, in return, help contribute in strengthening the nation’s economy," Barbers explained.

Barbers likewise said that GMA took New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Elizabeth Clark to Panglao, Bohol during the latter’s State visit here and let the New Zealand delegation witness what our country has to offer in the booming tourism market in Southeast Asia.

Barbers added that President Arroyo was in Donsol, Sorsogon, on her personal time, last week to enjoy and get a first hand experience swimming alongside whale sharks or otherwise called by the locals "Butanding" watching that has now become a favorite tourist attraction.

Moreover, Barbers said that President Arroyo also called on the owners of the local airline industry and encouraged them to add more flights to several of the country’s tourist destinations to make it more accessible to local and foreign tourists. The airline industry is considered one of the main arteries to help boost the nation’s tourism industry.

"The President has taken the lead to promote the country’s tourism industry. Who would be in a better position to market the country’s tourism none other than the President herself. Once our tourism industry continues to improve, surely this would be a very good indicator that the economy of the country is likewise picking up. Job opportunities will open up and there will be a multiplying effect in the countryside just like what is happening in Donsol, Sorsogon," Barbers explained.

Barbers added that we have a lot of beautiful and exciting places to visit and experience the diverse culture of our country in celebrating our summer festivals and encourage our countrymen to take part and take time off and tour the countryside.

"We have been posting positive sales in tourism receipts in some of our entities. Club Intramuros Golf Course and the Lights and Sounds Museum in Intramuros located in Manila are among the PTA owned properties that is very much accessible to our countrymen living within Metro Manila," Barbers said.

Foreign and local golfers consider Club Intramuros a favorite golf course due to its accessibility and well maintained all weather fairways. It is likewise located along the historic walls of Intramuros that is one of the main attractions of the place. On the other hand, the Lights and Sounds Museum feature a high-tech presentation that chronicles our nation’s history that was influenced by varied races that has become a part of the country’s unique fusion of European and Asian culture.

Barbers added that the Hilaga (formerly called Paskuhan Village) located in San Fernando, Pampanga is likewise within reach from Metro Manila that offers a swimming pool resort. "Another nearby PTA owned tourists destination is the San Fabian Beach Resort that used to be former President Marcos’ presidential beach house. We also have a hotel in Ifugao for vacationers who would wish to experience Banaue Rice Terraces. Local and foreign tourists can now have access to these places at very affordable prices," Barbers said.

Barbers also said that PTA entities located in the Visayas and Mindanao regions are also available for the budget conscious travelers who would want to experience various Filipino hospitality of our diverse culture.

PTA owns and manages the McArthur Park Hotel in Leyte, Balicasag Island Dive Resort in Bohol, Zamboanga Golf and Country Club, and Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village located in the Mountains of Cagayan de Oro.