Travel and Tourism
RT-PCR test exemption for fully vaxxed domestic tourists pushed
October 15, 2021, 3:38 pm
MANILA – The business sector is proposing to ease restrictions for domestic travelers visiting major tourist destinations in the country. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, during the Go Negosyo’s Bakuna Townhall on Friday, said the private sector is in talks with the… Read More
Hotel owners group hails lifting of NCR staycation ban
October 14, 2021, 6:49 pm
MANILA – The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) on Thursday welcomed the government's lifting of restrictions on staycations in Metro Manila after it placed the region under more relaxed Alert Level 3 from October 16 to 31. In a statement, PHOA Executive Director Benito Bengzon said this… Read More
Staycation in NCR allowed starting Oct. 16
October 14, 2021, 11:34 am
MANILA – Staycation is now allowed in accredited Metro Manila hotels as the region eases to Alert Level 3 from October 16 until the end of the month, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday. "Individuals of all ages may check-in for staycation. However, to ensure safety of all guests, only… Read More
PH gets 5 nominations at 2021 World Travel Awards
October 14, 2021, 7:57 am
MANILA – The Philippines got five nominations at the prestigious 28th World Travel Awards, signaling a continued recognition of its top-tier destinations despite the pandemic. In an announcement on Wednesday night, the Department of Tourism called on all Filipinos and foreign travelers to vote… Read More
Envoy sees return of Japanese tourists to Cebu ‘soon’
October 11, 2021, 2:42 pm
CEBU CITY – Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko is anticipating the return of Japanese tourists to Cebu and vice versa once the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is over. The envoy expressed this optimism during his recent visit to Cebu. In a statement released… Read More
DOT vax drive for tourism workers continues in Pampanga
October 9, 2021, 4:47 pm
CLARK, Pampanga – The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues its vaccination drive in the country’s gastronomic epicenter helping the tourism workers under the A1 health priority group from Central Luzon achieve 100 percent inoculation rate. On Saturday, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat… Read More
15K hotel, tourism industry workers vaccinated
October 9, 2021, 12:03 pm
MANILA – Member hotels and resorts of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) are confident to open doors to guests with the vaccination of its 15,000 personnel against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Of all the staff in the HSMA’s 125 member-properties, 98 percent have been… Read More
Fully vaxxed people regardless of age can now travel: DOT
October 8, 2021, 2:59 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday said fully vaccinated individuals regardless of age from Metro Manila are now allowed to travel on a point-to-point basis. This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force amended Part 1 Section 3 of the guidelines for areas under alert level 4 to allow… Read More
Siargao, Palawan, Boracay win spot in Condé Nast awards
October 6, 2021, 12:45 pm
MANILA – Three Philippine islands have landed a spot in the annual Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) readers' choice awards for top islands to visit this 2021. Out of the 85 destinations listed, the surfing haven Siargao Island was recognized as this year's top favorite in Asia, while the world-famous… Read More
DOTr all set for initial ops of Bicol Int'l Airport
October 5, 2021, 3:22 pm
LEGAZPI CITY – It’s all system go for the formal opening of the Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay on Thursday. In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to lead the inauguration of the first international… Read More
Over 43K businesses now with gov't-issued safety seals
October 5, 2021, 11:30 am
MANILA – A total of 43,332 public and private establishments nationwide have been issued safety seal certifications, an assurance to the public that health protocols are put in place amid the quarantine restrictions. The safety seal certification program indicates the compliance of… Read More
Ilocos Norte, La Union travel, trade fair set Oct. 8-10
October 4, 2021, 5:45 pm
LAOAG CITY – The provinces of Ilocos Norte and La Union have partnered in reviving each other's ailing tourism industry amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic. From October 8 to 10, a travel and trade fair will be held at the Robinsons Place Ilocos, Alfresco Area to promote popular tourist… Read More
DOT welcomes expanded indoor seating in NCR restos
October 1, 2021, 2:19 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday welcomed the expanded indoor seating capacity for fully vaccinated persons in establishments in the National Capital Region. Based on the latest Inter-Agency Task Force resolution, indoor dine-in services are now allowed 20 percent seating… Read More
More than half of PH tourism workers already vaccinated: DOT
September 30, 2021, 8:35 pm
MANILA – About 53 percent of the country's tourism workers have been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), raising hopes for the safe resumption of tourism activities under the new normal. In Metro Manila, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said… Read More
BARMM to operate landside facilities of Awang Airport
September 30, 2021, 2:05 pm
COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to manage the landside facilities of the Awang Airport in Maguindanao starting October 1. The Awang Airport, also known as the Cotabato Airport, is a Class 1 domestic airport situated in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin… Read More
Tourism enterprise zone to enhance Mt. Samat's telecom network
September 28, 2021, 5:14 pm
PILAR, Bataan – The Mt. Samat Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (FTEZ) on Tuesday announced plans to improve the overall telecommunication services at the Shrine of Valor in the historic mountain here with the rollout of its network transformation program. In an interview, Mt. Samat FTEZ… Read More
Cebu Pacific extends antigen test for HK-bound passengers
September 27, 2021, 8:39 pm
MANILA – As an added layer of protection, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) will continue providing free antigen tests before boarding among passengers bound for Hong Kong until October 15, an executive said on Monday. "We are extending (this initiative) to continue extending an extra layer… Read More
Tourism industry in PH to ‘build back better’: DOT chief
September 27, 2021, 8:16 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is aiming to rebuild the local tourism industry to be more resilient and protect livelihoods and the workforce. In a message to the media on Monday, DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat said this goal can be achieved by “deepening the roots of community… Read More
DOT monitors hotel compliance to IATF alert level system
September 23, 2021, 7:49 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it will continue to monitor the compliance of Metro Manila's accommodation establishments to the national government's pilot alert level system in the region. "Travelers want a higher level of safety when they visit our destinations and experience… Read More
DOTr eyes GenSan airport as alternate int'l gateway
September 23, 2021, 3:49 pm
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for the inclusion of the newly rehabilitated and expanded airport here as among the alternate gateways for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and international travelers. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade proposed the… Read More
