11 Feb, Ruchita Bhatt
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco led the launch of the newest addition to the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off Hurry program, the Pasay-Parañaque hub, at the Mall of Asia. The initiative aims to provide tourists with a convenient and hassle-free way to explore Metro Manila’s attractions while overcoming the challenges of traffic congestion.
In a statement to reporters, Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) director Sharlene Zabala-Batin highlighted the impact of traffic congestion on the tourist experience in Metro Manila. She emphasized that traffic jams often detract from the enjoyment of visitors as they navigate the city’s attractions.
To address this issue, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours program ensures that buses complete their rounds within two hours, minimizing the time spent in traffic. Despite the challenges posed by congestion, Batin expressed confidence that the bus tours could effectively transport tourists to Metro Manila’s key destinations.
The Pasay-Parañaque hub, dubbed the “Leisure Hub,” features stops at prominent leisure and shopping centers in the area, including SM Mall of Asia, Luxe Duty-Free, Newport World Hotels, City of Dreams, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Okada Manila. The hub is set to open to the public on February 16, offering tourists a convenient way to explore these attractions.
This marks the third “slump hub” of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours, following the launch of the “Business Hub” in Makati City and the “Cultural Hub” in Manila in the latter half of 2023. Tourists can book the tours through a mobile application developed by the program’s implementor, Certain Exposure. The tours offer both self-guided options, priced at P1,199 for 24 hours, as well as curated tours for a more tailored experience.
With the introduction of the Pasay-Parañaque hub, the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off Hurry program continues to expand its reach, providing tourists with convenient and efficient transportation options to explore the vibrant attractions of Metro Manila.
