Manila's makeover
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific|May/June 2024
New infrastructure projects make it easier to navigate this bustling metropolis and discover the growing crop of creative districts
TAMARA HINSON
Manila's makeover

Manila hasn't always been the easiest city to explore, something Coldplay would attest to. In January 2024, when the band performed here, lead singer Chris Martin was so shocked by Manila's traffic that he sang an impromptu ditty about its congested roads.

It's true Manila can seem chaotic, particularly in neighbourhoods like Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown - a place where jeepneys (beautifully painted buses cobbled together from vehicles abandoned by US soldiers) dodge wooden handcarts, but that's part of its charm.

In reality, there are cities with worse traffic, and Manila is also becoming much more accessible these days. The Philippines Department of Tourism introduced Manila's first Hop-On-HopOff (HOHO) bus in 2023. Stops include the National Museum, and the Binondo and Intramuros districts, and there's a slick dedicated website (philippines-hoho.ph) and an app. There are also plans for a new Philippine national railway service, which will connect downtown Manila with Laguna, Quezon and Camarines Sur, known for its palm-fringed beaches.

Greater connectivity is also occurring off-road. In October 2023, United Airlines launched new San Francisco to Manila flights, while in November, Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Airlines' direct flights to Manila took to the skies. In late 2023, Cebu Pacific increased flights between Manila and Sydney to five times a week, and last month, Philippine Airlines added a third weekly flight between Manila and Toronto.

There's a new international airport on the horizon, too - in 2028 the New Manila International Airport is scheduled to open in Bulacan, 30 kilometres north of the capital. It will have an initial capacity of 35 million passengers annually, with a target of 100 million passengers a year once complete, and is intended to provide a much-needed solution to the capital's air traffic congestion.

Bu hikaye Business Traveller Asia-Pacific dergisinin May/June 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Business Traveller Asia-Pacific dergisinin May/June 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BUSINESS TRAVELLER ASIA-PACIFIC DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Vietnam Airlines to add HanoiPhnom Penh service
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

Vietnam Airlines to add HanoiPhnom Penh service

VIETNAM AIRLINES has announced the launch of a nonstop service between Hanoi and Phnom Penh. Additionally, the airline has signed cooperation agreements with key partners in Cambodia to foster aviation and tourism development between the two countries.

time-read
1 min  |
September/October 2024
Malaysia Airlines and China Southern strengthen codeshare pact
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

Malaysia Airlines and China Southern strengthen codeshare pact

ONEWORLD MEMBER Malaysia Airlines and China Southern Airlines have announced an expansion of their codeshare flights to include the Guangzhou-Penang (CAN-PEN), Kuala LumpurBeijing Daxing (KUL-PKX) and Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai Pudong (KUL-PVG) routes from July 10, 2024.

time-read
1 min  |
September/October 2024
BANGKOK
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

BANGKOK

How to make the most of half a day in Thailand's bustling capital

time-read
3 dak  |
September/October 2024
MACHINE REVOLUTION
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

MACHINE REVOLUTION

Artificial intelligence is transforming the travel industry, with huge strides in data analysis and generative Al set to create seamless, personalised travel for passengers

time-read
7 dak  |
September/October 2024
HONG KONG DEBRIEFED
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

HONG KONG DEBRIEFED

The frenetic, constantly changing city on the South China coast still has more than a few tricks up its sleeve

time-read
5 dak  |
September/October 2024
Discovering Istanbul Airport
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

Discovering Istanbul Airport

Set to be the world's largest airport, IGA will be capable of hosting up to 200 million passengers annually by 2028

time-read
7 dak  |
September/October 2024
Your attention, please
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

Your attention, please

After a string of recent incidents involving extreme turbulence, we chart the history of the inflight safety video to see if the latest crop is up to the task...

time-read
7 dak  |
September/October 2024
SPOTLIGHT ON SURABAYA
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

SPOTLIGHT ON SURABAYA

The city in East Java is set to expand as it capitalises on its historic roots and status as an important trading centre

time-read
3 dak  |
September/October 2024
HOTEL HOP, BALI STYLE
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

HOTEL HOP, BALI STYLE

Indonesia's tourist hotspot has a wealth of attractions to suit everyone, but it’s all about picking the right place to stay

time-read
5 dak  |
September/October 2024
JAKARTA IN POLE POSITION
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific

JAKARTA IN POLE POSITION

Indonesia's commercial hub will thrive long after the nation's new capital is open for business

time-read
5 dak  |
September/October 2024