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DOT sees surge in domestic, foreign tourists for Undas 2019

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

October 29, 2019, 10:05 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is anticipating a surge of local and foreign visitors in the upcoming observance of All Saints' Day this year.

“The forthcoming All Saints’ Day celebration is one of the long weekend holidays that vacation takers and travelers take advantage of. We expect this year’s domestic trips to approximate the 2018 level when there were 20 holidays and 13 long weekends declared,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement Tuesday.

Data from the DOT showed that domestic trips reached 111 million in 2018 as reported by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA). This year, there are 21 holidays and 10 long weekends, one of which is All Saints’ Day on November 1.

Meanwhile, the tourism chief ordered the main and regional offices to extend all assistance that may be needed by visitors as she lauded the initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in ensuring a seamless travel experience for all with “Oplan Biyheng Ayos: Undas 2019”.

“This nationwide drive bodes well in promoting domestic travel,” she said.

The government has already put up numerous May Malasakit Help Desks (MHDs) located in transport hubs all throughout the country.

The MHDs shall serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance in airports, seaports, train stations, and land terminals.

Services to be provided include handling transport-related inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance with TNVS/taxi booking; facilitating refund of terminal fees; providing an attestation of cause of trip cancellation or delays; delivering emergency medical assistance; and accepting reports of possible security threats, among others. (PNA)

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