Agreed! Can only imagine that it's a trend. The Watch collecting Forum I belong to is American and has never been so slow. Think everyone is working their way out of this devastating Covid hiccup. Traveling is more time consuming and complex adding to the stress of it all. Peoples are strapped financially by statistics World wide and now face more on their plates. Forums are also not addicting such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Whats important is this is a focus point on Dumaguete and surrounding areas where those interested can get questions solved. The Forums info has helped me along my journey numerous times and I am sure in the future there will be growth on this platform.
I've been a member for almost 9 years and have also noticed a significant decline. If you look at members tab you will see that hardly any of the top 25 members post at all and there doesn't seem to be much new blood coming into the forums. It's these people that participate regularly that give the forum its soul. Most of these top posters have moved on or only occasionally participate. Some of the up and comers seem to have gone to other places for whatever reason. Long time members are getting older and losing interest and without the newer members to drive the forum, it begins to wither. Maybe no one is moving to Dumaguete or maybe they are moving on to other platforms as @Crystalhead suggests. I think understanding why the new blood that is highly engaged is not staying long term is the key. Maybe it was just the perfect storm of members 10-15 years ago.....
The amount of persons that eye the Philippines for travels and or retiring I would submit has never been higher. Most of them have never heard of Dumaguete. Fairly confident a few Forum link shares, posts with effective tags and meta data will do the rest in the coming times.
With a recent new person introducing themselves, I suggested members give some insight as to their daily routines, there was only one reply! I realise that many members have probably done and seen most local events or places over the years but maybe it's time to get out the chair, visit places and give some feed back as to how they have changed over time, with possibly photographs to try and stir up interest to newcomers and tourists which would help bring Dumaguete investment.......just my thoughts JB
I joined the forum in 2019 since I had an intention to move here. After my visit same year came the pandemic just before I was retiring and preparing to go east. Since I am a man enjoying the sunlight and nice temperatures I had to have a plan B. I moved to The Canary Islands (Gran Canaria) outside the west coast of Africa. I have been there a little more than a year, getting used to living without the necessity of Covid passes, additional vaccine shots, face masks, health declarations and other restrictions. I am getting less sure about moving east by the day. But I am still following this forum, there are a lot of nice and helpful people here and I check in daily to see what is going on. Although I agree, there are less posts than a couple of years ago.
Well Dumaguete is a good starting point for Island hopping to the likes of Siquior and Bohol both being a short ferry crossing and of course to Cebu. but the one thing I would love to see around October time is the Mass Kara in Bacolod, maybe next time MassKara Festival - Wikipedia BACOLOD CITY - MASSKARA FESTIVAL 2022 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES - Where In Bacolod
The country as a whole missed an opportunity for more investment and expat money with the longest lockdown in the world. And with the continued requirement of One Health Pass Mask Vaccinated required or still need Quarentine. Additionally inflation Still not having the education system back in order - 2 or 3 days a week. The tourist industry hasn't even come up with a new campaign from - it's more fun - it's time to get something fresh Advertising something and places outside Luzon and opportunities. We saw how Dumaguete WAS ranked as one of the best places to retire - I am doubtful it would make that list again. People went home Regarding new members- People will simply look for and find another tropical places to live and spend their money without these barriers and not even be aware of Dumaguete.
@God Bless Texas And with the continued requirement of One Health Pass Mask Vaccinated required or still need Quarentine.] Where did you get the One Health Pass? I went to the Google Store and some app called "GETPASS" showed up when I searched for one health pass Philippines. Another search on the www got me www.philipine-form.com this website looks like a government website but they want $75 USD to file the application. Neither of those websites felt right to me. Can you post the link you used? Did you have to pay for the One Health Pass? Thanks
