Business and Market Research Snapshot on Southeast Asia

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Currency Exchange. Name of local currency: Philippine Peso (P). US$1.00 equal to P54.2 in 2003, P56.0 in 2004 and P53.2 in June 2006.

Hotels. Average prices for budget hotels in the Philippines are generally 300 to 600 Philippine Pesos (Ps300 – Ps600) while for mid-end hotels they are around Ps600 – Ps1,000. High-end hotels charge around Ps1,000 – Ps2,000 while luxury hotels and resorts generally cost above Ps2,000 per night.

Airports. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila is located about 7km to the south of the city centre and travel time by road to and from the city can vary between 30 minutes and 2 hours during peak traffic. Taxi services are available and cost about Ps380 one-way. There is also the Airport Bus and Metro-Bus which are shuttle bus services between the airport and Metro Manila. Departure tax from Ninoy Aquino Airport is charged at Ps500.

Business Hours. Both public and private offices open from Monday to Friday, generally from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. with lunch break between 12:00 noon and 1:00p.m. Some offices in the private sector also open on Saturdays between 8:00a.m. and 12:00 noon. Banks are open on weekdays from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m or 3:30p.m. Shop owners outside of Manila are known for “Bahala Na” or “whatever happens” attitude and thus do not follow fixed business hours.

Common Courtesies. Pointing at a person using the middle finger is considered rude in the Philippines and instead Filipinos will indicate by pursing their lips or with a glance. When entering a home, it is customary to knock first. When a host offers food or drink, it is impolite to decline and guests should take at least a small bite or sip.

Travel. Metered and unmetered taxis, mini-buses, jeepneys (small reconstructed jeeps) and tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are available and popular with tourists for getting around in the country. Buses are popular for long-distance land travel. Rail networks are limited but there are numerous ferries plying between the many islands of the Philippines.

Pegasus Business and Market Advisory (PBMA) provides business and marketing research and advisory services focussing on Southeast Asia namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei. Contact corporate@pegasus-asia.com for further information.

Business Travel Snapshot - Philippines

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