TRAVEL CULTURE

Erlinda G. Parico

There has been a rise in the interest to travel, this is evidenced by the increase in the number of travel agencies and the amount of budget deals that they promote. Travelling is now more than just a hobby done on school or work breaks, it has now grown into a lifestyle choice for many. This trend has created a need to cater to these new breed of travelers. There are numerous benefits to travelling. One of these is cultural immersion. This is especially true when travelling in the different regions of the Philippines. An archipelago and a widely occupied country, the Philippines has become a multi-cultural nation with different traditions and beliefs in every region and province. Another advantage is to rest and relax. Our world has become very competitive that we become burned out from the responsibilities that we must accomplish. Travelling provides that much needed rest and relaxation that allows us to have a renewed and refreshed view of things and help put our lives in better perspective. May people do not travel because of lack of funds to travel. However, this can easily be dealt with by saving and planning your travels. There is now plenty of budget airlines and hotels that cater to low budget travelers. I do not believe that tons of money are needed to be able to do the things we want to in a destination. Travelling is good both for the body and the soul. Save, plan and research - these are the three important things to remember when looking into that place you have always wanted to visit.--oOo-

The author is Master Teacher I at Betis High School