02 Aug 2023
According to the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) was estimated to be 1.83 million in 2021, which is expected to surpass the 2 million mark soon. These OFWs travel to developed countries in search of better employment opportunities to earn a living and send money to Philippines to offer financial support to their families back home. They work hard to achieve their goals of living an expat life, which typically becomes harder for them considering their work routines and missing their loved ones. Besides other activities, visiting different places and tourist attractions can significantly impact their mental and physical health. Keep reading to learn about some unique places to visit that can enhance your expat life experiences.
Let’s briefly look at remittance statistics to the Philippines to develop an understanding of the hard work that overseas Filipino workers do while living abroad.
These Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs) sent $2.93 billion in personal remittances to the Philippines in November 2022, with a year-on-year (YoY) growth rate of 5.8%, according to a report by the Philippine central bank.
Pressed by several financial constraints, the people of the Philippines find it difficult to get jobs in the country that enable them to earn a living on a sustainable basis. It results in repeated cycles of unemployment and poverty in the country, for which purpose, people of the Philippines travel to developed countries to find work.
Sustained jobs, of course, are unique to the job market in almost all developed countries.
Travelling to different countries is, indeed, integral to finding jobs abroad, and it is in this context that knowing about the top off-the-beaten-path destinations is essential for the people of the Philippines.
One prime reason for knowing about these destinations is that you can find work unexpectedly in these less-known regions across the world.
But do you know what the off-the-beaten-path destinations are? And how to find them out?
Let’s find out together!
There is a subtle difference between travelling abroad for tourism purposes and for finding jobs elsewhere. Normally, when it comes to travelling for tourism, you prefer going to countries that are often visited by people. They share their experiences about the landscape, culture, people, customs, cuisines, etc., and set you eager to go there too.
Such places are known as popular travel destinations.
Off-the-beaten-path destinations, on the other hand, are places that are less known and, as such, are less travelled to.
These destinations can be hidden gems, untouched by the tourism industries, both local and international, and can offer a unique travelling and tourism experience.
These destinations have the potential to help you explore new and less-known cultures leading to more personal and meaningful interactions with locals, which can pave the way for finding new work, jobs and other opportunities to earn a living and support your family back home through money transfer to Philippines.
Let’s now take a look at some of the steps following which you can find off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Following the few tips given below will help you experience something authentic in terms of travelling and tourism.
These simple and easy tips can help you with your search for unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Now, let’s take a look at the 5 off-the-beaten-path destinations you can travel to as a Filipino migrant.
Here are the study programmes you can consider while moving abroad as a Filipino student.
Study Programmes Abroad For Filipino Students.
If you are still confused about where to go for tourism or for spending your vacations in 2023, the following list will help you find a new destination not many people know about.
This small town in Montenegro is considered one of the oldest places on the coast of the Adriatic. Legends maintain that the town was founded by the son of Phoenician king Agenor about 2500 years ago.
The town is known for its beautiful beaches and the old town walls.
Its claim to fame is its beautiful architecture and well-maintained parks. Accessing festivals in Mexico City is easy for visitors due to its proximity. The Mexican War of Independence began in 1810, and Mexico’s first constitution was adopted in 1917 in Santiago De Queretaro.
Italy is a popular destination for both tourists and Filipino migrants who come here, find work, earn a living and then send money to Philippines online to offer financial support to their families.
But this capital of South Tyrol offers both Central European culture and Mediterranean culture. The area lies in the middle of vineyards and Alpine panoramas.
You will find a huge variety of activities in this town, including ski resorts, medieval buildings, and a happening nightlife with immense potential to keep you busy and engaged if the purpose is to enjoy!
The town of Kalambaka lies at the foot of the Meteora Mountains and has a rich cultural history. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Meteora monasteries were built around the 11th century.
Meteora is derived from ancient Greece and means ‘floating in the air’ In English.
A glance at the site will give you a fair idea about the origin of the name.
Kota Kinabalu is located on the island of Borneo and is known as ‘KK’ by the locals. It was a town and granted city status in 2000. It offers a huge variety of flora and fauna to visitors and tourists.
These off-the-beaten-beaten path destinations can give you a unique travelling experience as an OFW.
Visiting these places will give you immense entertainment while adding to your knowledge simultaneously. Besides, you will start feeling healthy impacts in your life with improved quality of work after visiting such tourist attractions.
As an expatriate, your ultimate goal is to earn and transfer money back home, for which you certainly need a reliable service provider. Do you know where to find one?
Whether you go to an off-the-beaten-path tourist destination or a popular expatriate country, your online money transfer to Philippines with ACE Money Transfer will give you live currency exchange rates, speed and safety, 24/7 service access in over 100 countries, and much more in exchange for a low fee form one window.
FAQs
What are these five off-the-beaten-path destinations for OFWs in 2023?
The five off-the-beaten-path destinations we recommend for OFWs in 2023 include:
Why should OFWs consider visiting these off-the-beaten-path destinations?
OFWs, like anyone else, might want to venture to lesser-known places for a variety of reasons:
Are these destinations safe for travel, especially in the context of the pandemic?
As of 2023, these destinations are considered safe for travel, but the situation may vary and change rapidly. Therefore, it's crucial to check the latest travel advisories and local health guidelines. Also, take precautionary measures such as vaccination, mask-wearing, and social distancing where necessary.
What kind of budget should OFWs prepare for these destinations?
The budget can vary greatly depending on the specific destination, time of travel, the level of luxury you seek, and your personal spending habits. However, it's always advisable to prepare for the following costs: airfare, accommodation, food, local transportation, attractions, souvenirs, and unexpected expenses. In general, destinations like Bhutan and the Azores might require a higher budget than destinations like Batanes or Omo Valley.
How can OFWs prepare for their trips to these destinations?
Here are some steps OFWs can take to prepare:
Resources
(Philippine Statistics Authority | Republic of the Philippines (psa.gov.ph)
(Philippines' remittance up by 5.8 pct in November, 2022-Xinhua (news.cn)
