DOT says PH ready to welcome fully vaxxed foreign tourists

MANILA – The nation’s tourism business is able to welcome totally vaccinated worldwide vacationers on February 10, the Division of Tourism (DOT) mentioned Wednesday.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat mentioned the sector had been getting ready for this growth ever for the reason that borders had been closed in 2020.

Two years into the pandemic, she added that the majority tourism employees have obtained vaccination in opposition to the coronavirus.

“Whereas this would be the first time the Philippines is opening its doorways for international leisure vacationers for the reason that begin of the pandemic, the tourism business has ready for this growth for shut to 2 years,” she mentioned in a textual content message. “We stay up for welcoming our international guests as soon as once more particularly with Metro Manila, the nation’s major worldwide gateway, positioned beneath Alert Stage 2.”

The official added that well being and security protocols would stay in place to forestall the transmission of the virus.

“Tourism employees have been vaccinated and the observance of well being and security protocols at each vacation spot stays to be a precedence. The DOT can be focusing its efforts on the visa-free international locations beneath EO 408 which might be recognized as our key, strategic, and alternative markets,” she mentioned.

The Philippines will permit totally vaccinated worldwide vacationers from visa-free international locations, starting February 10, supplied that they current a damaging RT-PCR check taken inside 48 hours previous to departure from the nation of origin.

Up to now, a complete of 157 international locations get pleasure from visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines, together with a few of its high vacationer markets similar to South Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States and Germany.

On the matter of getting ready the locations, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief-operating-officer Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones final Monday mentioned the nation has established 79 tourism circuits, consisting of travel-ready locations in several areas.

“It’s secure to say that they’re prepared. They’re greater than prepared,” she mentioned, including that the TPB can be working with the DOT-Nationwide Capital Area to “refresh” customer arrival areas in Metro Manila.

The federal government can be eyeing to additional streamline journey guidelines in locations to make journey extra handy, particularly for international vacationers.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Howard Lance Uyking mentioned the DOT, the Division of the Inside and Native Authorities, and native authorities models can be assembly to debate the topic.

Optimistic

With the Philippines lastly reopening its gates to leisure vacationers, Velasco-Allones expressed optimism concerning the Philippines’ tourism business in 2022.

“Our outlook for the tourism business in 2022 is definitely fairly optimistic. Think about the primary main international summit will occur within the Philippines in April,” she mentioned, referring to the World Journey and Tourism Council (WTTC) International Summit.

She added that the federal government would proceed to advertise and develop the Philippines as a high worldwide MICE vacation spot.

“The DOT and TPB groups are literally getting ready for the MICE international marketing campaign to be formally launched this yr, wala tayong (we do not have this) international MICE marketing campaign prior to now so that is one thing that’s new,” she mentioned.

Other than the WTTC International Summit, one of many occasions slated within the coming months is the Clipper Around the World Yacht Race.

“Our MICE (Conferences, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) workforce can be in talks with a number of skilled associations like medical teams, wellness teams as a result of there are skilled and company occasions already in our calendar,” Velasco-Allones mentioned. (PNA)