I was lucky to have taken five foreign trips this year — to Hong Kong and China last April, Spain in September, and Vietnam and Japan in November. All were work-related except the Vietnam trip, which was a vacation with my ex-UP Narra dormmates with our spouses and friends. To help provide context to the […]I was lucky to have taken five foreign trips this year — to Hong Kong and China last April, Spain in September, and Vietnam and Japan in November. All were work-related except the Vietnam trip, which was a vacation with my ex-UP Narra dormmates with our spouses and friends. To help provide context to the […]

Observations from my five foreign trips in 2025

2025/12/11 00:02

I was lucky to have taken five foreign trips this year — to Hong Kong and China last April, Spain in September, and Vietnam and Japan in November. All were work-related except the Vietnam trip, which was a vacation with my ex-UP Narra dormmates with our spouses and friends.

To help provide context to the observations I made about tourism during my travels, I constructed this table based on information from the UN Tourism website. I added a few other countries I have been to — like France as I had gone to Nice in 2023. I also added other East Asian neighbors to this table.

The Philippines has the smallest number of tourist arrivals in the table, mainly because of its geography. It is far away from the Asian mainland where visitors can go from, say, Vietnam to Cambodia to Thailand by car or bus aside from airplane. Add to this our generally poor infrastructure.

Here are some observations, some of which we can possibly adapt in the Philippines.

1. Hong Kong’s huge airport is directly connected to the city by high-speed train, then one can go by taxi or subway to stations near hotels. There are also buses from the airport to major hotel corridors. The city’s long and modern subway trains and the huge skyscrapers continue to amaze me. It’s main attraction for international visitors is its unilateral free trade policy, with zero tariffs for exports and imports so visitors can find many items from China and many other countries at competi-tive prices. This is a combination of tourism and trade policy that the Philippines should consider.

2. While Beijing international airport is also huge and is connected to the city by a fast airport express train, our host picked us up by van as we stopped by a nice restaurant before going to our hotel. We took the toll road, but it was congested even on a Sunday night. China has become a car culture country unlike many decades ago where it was a bicycle and motorcycle riding country.

3. Madrid’s international airport is also huge, but our landing terminal was far away from the baggage claim. It took about an hour from landing to get the luggage, a very long time! Going from the airport express train to the high-speed train station going to Valencia (where I was attending my annual international free market network conference) and other cities is very confusing as there were no clear signs. I missed my train to Valencia and had to buy another train ticket. SMC’s Bulacan airport should avoid this kind of lousy airport design.

4. Ho Chi Minh international airport is also big, but the country is getting a lot more visitors now as many Chinese tourists are avoiding Japan and the US, going instead to Vietnam and other East Asian nations. Flying back to Manila, it took us more than one hour just queuing at immigration, then the security check for passengers and their hand-carry. I think Ho Chi Minh airport should move elsewhere, like a wide reclaimed area near the sea where further expansion is possible.

5. The Narita-Tokyo international airport is really huge and modern. But I noticed it was not as busy as before, probably due to millions of China tourists avoiding Japan due to the ongoing diplomatic spat over Taiwan. Nagoya airport is also huge, but we landed at the domestic terminal. Flying back to Manila we took the Haneda-Tokyo airport, also huge but not as big as Narita.

6. China is careful to preserve its historic structures that are up to 1,500 years old. The Great Wall of China attracts 15-17 million tourists a year, with the Badaling section near Beijing attracting some 10 million. Our host brought me there in the afternoon after our morning meeting and lunch, and I was amazed by the huge number of visitors coming in even in late afternoon — many white people, then locals from other provinces, then other Asians.

The Forbidden City or Palace Museum in the center of Beijing attracted up to 19 million visitors in 2019. When I was there, my host said it gets an average of 40,000 visitors a day, peaking at 80,000 a day in the summer months. One must reserve tickets several days ahead. Again, I was amazed at the hugeness of the area, the wood carvings, and architecture.

7. I was impressed by the high-speed trains I took during my trips. There was China’s train, which runs up to 350 kph from Chengde to Beijing; then Spain’s train which runs up to 300 kph from Madrid to Valencia and back; then Japan’s shinkansen or bullet train which runs up to 280 kph from Nagoya to Tokyo. There are trains going at up to 320 kph in other destinations. All arrive and depart on schedule, but in terms of a smooth ride, I think Chi-na’s more modern trains are better. The Philippines should aspire to have these high-speed trains someday, say from Manila to Laoag City in the north and to Legaspi City in the south.

8. They use tunnels instead of zigzag roads to traverse hills and mountains. Going from Beijing to a pumped-hydro storage power plant in the mountains, we passed by a long elevated toll road, then through so many tunnels — ranging in length from 200 meters to two to five kms long — that I lost count. Smooth, well-paved, and well-lit, there was even an internet signal inside the long tunnels. The Philippines should have these tunnels too someday: these would re-duce road accidents and road closures from landslides. They would also do for horizontal mining.

9. There were no tricycles, no jeepneys, and no stray dogs in sight. The five places I went to have none of these while the Philippines has a lot. Even Vietnam has none of these, only motorcycles, cars, and aircon buses. And even in rural areas of Ho Chi Minh, all the houses have fences and gates except those with shops and restaurants. The gates are about two to three meters from the road, with no vehicles — even motorcycles — parked on road shoulders. The motorists are disciplined and considerate.

10. The rule of law protects peace and order, and private property. I saw few or no security guards at shops, malls, and hotels. Plus, there were lots of bright lights at night (no issues with the electricity supply) and wide pe-destrian walkways.

There are more observations, but I limit myself this time to those 10 points.

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. Research Consultancy Services, and Minimal Government Thinkers. He is an international fellow of the Tholos Foundation.
[email protected]

Sorumluluk Reddi: Bu sitede yeniden yayınlanan makaleler, halka açık platformlardan alınmıştır ve yalnızca bilgilendirme amaçlıdır. MEXC'nin görüşlerini yansıtmayabilir. Tüm hakları telif sahiplerine aittir. Herhangi bir içeriğin üçüncü taraf haklarını ihlal ettiğini düşünüyorsanız, kaldırılması için lütfen [email protected] ile iletişime geçin. MEXC, içeriğin doğruluğu, eksiksizliği veya güncelliği konusunda hiçbir garanti vermez ve sağlanan bilgilere dayalı olarak alınan herhangi bir eylemden sorumlu değildir. İçerik, finansal, yasal veya diğer profesyonel tavsiye niteliğinde değildir ve MEXC tarafından bir tavsiye veya onay olarak değerlendirilmemelidir.

Ayrıca Şunları da Beğenebilirsiniz

Crucial Fed Rate Cut: October Probability Surges to 94%

Crucial Fed Rate Cut: October Probability Surges to 94%

BitcoinWorld Crucial Fed Rate Cut: October Probability Surges to 94% The financial world is buzzing with a significant development: the probability of a Fed rate cut in October has just seen a dramatic increase. This isn’t just a minor shift; it’s a monumental change that could ripple through global markets, including the dynamic cryptocurrency space. For anyone tracking economic indicators and their impact on investments, this update from the U.S. interest rate futures market is absolutely crucial. What Just Happened? Unpacking the FOMC Statement’s Impact Following the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement, market sentiment has decisively shifted. Before the announcement, the U.S. interest rate futures market had priced in a 71.6% chance of an October rate cut. However, after the statement, this figure surged to an astounding 94%. This jump indicates that traders and analysts are now overwhelmingly confident that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates next month. Such a high probability suggests a strong consensus emerging from the Fed’s latest communications and economic outlook. A Fed rate cut typically means cheaper borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, which can stimulate economic activity. But what does this really signify for investors, especially those in the digital asset realm? Why is a Fed Rate Cut So Significant for Markets? When the Federal Reserve adjusts interest rates, it sends powerful signals across the entire financial ecosystem. A rate cut generally implies a more accommodative monetary policy, often enacted to boost economic growth or combat deflationary pressures. Impact on Traditional Markets: Stocks: Lower interest rates can make borrowing cheaper for companies, potentially boosting earnings and making stocks more attractive compared to bonds. Bonds: Existing bonds with higher yields might become more valuable, but new bonds will likely offer lower returns. Dollar Strength: A rate cut can weaken the U.S. dollar, making exports cheaper and potentially benefiting multinational corporations. Potential for Cryptocurrency Markets: The cryptocurrency market, while often seen as uncorrelated, can still react significantly to macro-economic shifts. A Fed rate cut could be interpreted as: Increased Risk Appetite: With traditional investments offering lower returns, investors might seek higher-yielding or more volatile assets like cryptocurrencies. Inflation Hedge Narrative: If rate cuts are perceived as a precursor to inflation, assets like Bitcoin, often dubbed “digital gold,” could gain traction as an inflation hedge. Liquidity Influx: A more accommodative monetary environment generally means more liquidity in the financial system, some of which could flow into digital assets. Looking Ahead: What Could This Mean for Your Portfolio? While the 94% probability for a Fed rate cut in October is compelling, it’s essential to consider the nuances. Market probabilities can shift, and the Fed’s ultimate decision will depend on incoming economic data. Actionable Insights: Stay Informed: Continue to monitor economic reports, inflation data, and future Fed statements. Diversify: A diversified portfolio can help mitigate risks associated with sudden market shifts. Assess Risk Tolerance: Understand how a potential rate cut might affect your specific investments and adjust your strategy accordingly. This increased likelihood of a Fed rate cut presents both opportunities and challenges. It underscores the interconnectedness of traditional finance and the emerging digital asset space. Investors should remain vigilant and prepared for potential volatility. The financial landscape is always evolving, and the significant surge in the probability of an October Fed rate cut is a clear signal of impending change. From stimulating economic growth to potentially fueling interest in digital assets, the implications are vast. Staying informed and strategically positioned will be key as we approach this crucial decision point. The market is now almost certain of a rate cut, and understanding its potential ripple effects is paramount for every investor. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: What is the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)? A1: The FOMC is the monetary policymaking body of the Federal Reserve System. It sets the federal funds rate, which influences other interest rates and economic conditions. Q2: How does a Fed rate cut impact the U.S. dollar? A2: A rate cut typically makes the U.S. dollar less attractive to foreign investors seeking higher returns, potentially leading to a weakening of the dollar against other currencies. Q3: Why might a Fed rate cut be good for cryptocurrency? A3: Lower interest rates can reduce the appeal of traditional investments, encouraging investors to seek higher returns in alternative assets like cryptocurrencies. It can also be seen as a sign of increased liquidity or potential inflation, benefiting assets like Bitcoin. Q4: Is a 94% probability a guarantee of a rate cut? A4: While a 94% probability is very high, it is not a guarantee. Market probabilities reflect current sentiment and data, but the Federal Reserve’s final decision will depend on all available economic information leading up to their meeting. Q5: What should investors do in response to this news? A5: Investors should stay informed about economic developments, review their portfolio diversification, and assess their risk tolerance. Consider how potential changes in interest rates might affect different asset classes and adjust strategies as needed. Did you find this analysis helpful? Share this article with your network to keep others informed about the potential impact of the upcoming Fed rate cut and its implications for the financial markets! To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin price action. This post Crucial Fed Rate Cut: October Probability Surges to 94% first appeared on BitcoinWorld.
Paylaş
Coinstats2025/09/18 02:25