BAMBOO DINER AND CAMP SITE OFFERS INEXPENSIVE WEEKENDING ON IDYLLIC ISLE!

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/6/03

The opening of the Bamboo Diner and Camp Site on idyllic Malapascua Island, north of Cebu, heralds a new era of affordable vacation options for all Filipino's. In the past the availability of clean, insect-free accommodation and good quality, affordably priced food has been extremely limited in this under-developed holiday destination. Just a few hours north of Cebu by bus and pump boat, Malapascua has mainly catered for the well heeled Filipino and foreign visitors. Now an average family can afford a weekend, or longer, on this treasure of the Visayan Sea.

Perry Gamsby, Sales and Marketing Vice President for the Bamboo Group says; "We looked at the average income levels of Filipino's and put together a quality package within their means."

When asked what prompted this marketing approach, Perry said; "Everybody is looking overseas for answers to the tourism issue. We can't rely on foreigners propping up our economy, we need to do it from within as well as without. The one thing we have a lot of in the Philippines is Filipino's! Even if you make only P100 a day you can save up and come here with your family for a weekend; enjoy the sun, sea and sand and still afford to eat".

For a family of two adults and two children, Perry feels P1,000 is enough to cover the bus and pump boat fares (about P300 return from Cebu), a tent (P250) and meals (P450) for an inexpensive overnight stay that will be a fond family memory.

The Diner offers fast, tasty food that bridges the gap between Filipino and Foreigner. Rice at P5 a cup! Hamburgers from P29 with a meal of burger, fries and soft drink only P50! Lechon Manok, Baboy, hot dogs and sausages as well as chicken burgers are also offered. Families and Barkada's can sit and enjoy their meal while watching popular artists in concert on the TV and stereo system. There is free home delivery to the 3,000 families that live on Malapascua, a much needed service that will add to the quality of life for locals.

The camp site offers clean, insect-free dome tents large enough for a Filipino family to fill up. Normally the tariff is P250 per night for two persons, but for the opening season they are being offered at this rate for as many as can comfortably be squeezed in! There are private showers and clean C.R." s, as well as camp site lighting and a pleasant ambience away from the madding crowd, yet a stones throw from the white sand beaches. END

Released 1/6/03 to: Manila Times, Manila Bulletin, Sunstar Cebu, Superbalita Cebu, Philippine Inquirer