Travel and Tourism
AirAsia, Cebu hotels tie-up to rebuild tourism, air travel
June 26, 2021, 1:14 pm
CEBU CITY - Philippines AirAsia has inked a partnership with the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) to help boost tourism and economic recovery in Cebu. “Tourism stakeholders including AirAsia are united with stakeholders such as the HRRAC, the Department of Tourism and the… Read More
Discounted swab test for tourists extended at PCMC
June 23, 2021, 5:44 pm
MANILA – The discounted reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for qualified tourists at the Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) has been extended until December, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) announced Wednesday. This extension cuts into half the PHP1,500… Read More
DOT to tourists: Interact responsibly with marine wildlife
June 22, 2021, 7:43 pm
MANILA – In celebration of World Environment Month this June, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reiterates the need for tourists to educate themselves on sustainable interaction with marine wildlife. “Observing marine wildlife in its natural habitat is incredibly fulfilling and quite an… Read More
DOT unveils Ilocos Region tourism recovery plan
June 22, 2021, 1:10 pm
MANILA – Bicycle tours, motorbiking and other outdoor activities are part of the Department of Tourism's recovery plan to spur local tourism in the Ilocos Region, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said Tuesday. During her three-day visit to Pangasinan, Puyat said the shift in local tourism… Read More
Vaccination key to tourism recovery
June 18, 2021, 7:29 pm
MANILA – Once tourism activities fully restart, the primary travel influence among tourists would be health and safety, the reasons why vaccination is key in the eventual recovery of the industry. Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) chairperson Margarita Munsayac said achieving mass… Read More
PH in 2 years: A 'safe, fun, competitive' destination
June 17, 2021, 12:17 pm
MANILA – For the next two years, the Philippines will be positioned as a “safe, fun, and competitive" destination, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday as it banks on strong partnerships with communities and visitors. The DOT said it would develop more tourism products that focus on… Read More
Innovating, thriving during pandemic
June 17, 2021, 9:14 am
MANILA – There's a type of crisis where once resolved, eventually goes away and the business returns to normal. But how do you handle one when the crisis is the pandemic itself? For Amor Maclang, an internationally recognized crisis management and disaster risk reduction expert, the way forward… Read More
Leisure travel from NCR Plus to Boracay, MGCQ areas extended
June 16, 2021, 9:04 pm
MANILA – Tourists of all ages are free to travel from National Capital Region (NCR) Plus to Boracay and other tourist destinations under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until June 30 subject to certain restrictions. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat made this clarification on… Read More
Whale sharks greet Cebu paddlers in 5-day expedition
June 15, 2021, 2:10 pm
CEBU CITY – The “Paddle Forward Cebu” expedition is now halfway through a five-day sail journey around the southern part of Cebu, marking a major feat to push paddling as a new tourism draw to the island. The group of padding enthusiasts on Monday successfully reached Oslob, where they were… Read More
Payment for tourism biz loans extended to 2 years: DOT
June 10, 2021, 11:52 am
MANILA – The government has extended to two years the grace period for the repayment of loans to distressed tourism businesses as it further eased the terms for interest-free soft loans under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Thursday.… Read More
Cebu travel operators eye fully-vaccinated tourists as market
June 9, 2021, 1:03 pm
CEBU CITY – Tour and travel operators in Cebu and Central Visayas have expressed willingness to work with the Department of Tourism (DOT) in setting directions and strategies in tapping fully-vaccinated tourists as a come-in market to revive central Philippines’ tourism industry. Desiree Chan,… Read More
DOT, TikTok partner to promote local food tourism
June 8, 2021, 10:02 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and video making and sharing app Tiktok introduced their newest campaign, #SarapMagingPinoy, to encourage locals to celebrate Filipino pride by sharing treasured dishes from all over the country and promote a renewed interest and love for local cuisines.… Read More
Adopting sustainable tourism for the environment
June 5, 2021, 10:57 am
MANILA – In celebration of World Environment Day 2021 on June 5, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urged hotels and resorts to become DOT-accredited to receive assistance in its rapid adoption of sustainable practices. "Reviving local economy and creating livelihood is DOT's current priority.… Read More
DOT launches 5-year dev't plan for tourism professionals
June 4, 2021, 10:42 am
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has crafted a five-year plan to develop competent and world-class Filipino tourism professionals. Launched on May 28, the Philippine Tourism Human Capital Development Plan (PTHCD) for 2021-2025 seeks to ensure the steady supply of trained manpower and to… Read More
Boracay Island ready to welcome back visitors
June 3, 2021, 2:35 pm
ILOILO CITY – Boracay Island is already accepting tourists from the NCR Plus bubble as residents under areas classified as general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ are now allowed to enter as provided for in Resolution 118A of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the… Read More
50% off Covid-19 test for tourists resumes
June 2, 2021, 11:18 am
MANILA – The 50 percent subsidy for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) tests for qualified domestic tourists has resumed, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Wednesday after the government allowed leisure travel in and out of the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus. Through this… Read More
Leisure travel from NCR plus to MGCQ areas now allowed: DOT
June 1, 2021, 1:20 pm
MANILA – Leisure travel from NCR Plus to destinations under modified general community (MGCQ) has been allowed, the Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed Tuesday. Such travel, however, must be point-to-point only, which means that while pit stops or stopovers are allowed for eating and personal… Read More
Report says families now most dynamic force in travel
May 30, 2021, 7:15 pm
MANILA – Families will have a major impact on the future of the travel industry as priorities dramatically shift to reconnecting with relatives during the pandemic. "Pre-pandemic, travel was built around business. It made up just 12 percent of air travel but 75 percent of airline profits.… Read More
PATA hybrid summit reflects confidence in PH tourism, MICE
May 29, 2021, 12:48 pm
MANILA – The 2021 Adventure Travel Conference and Mart (ATCM) of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) that concluded Friday reflects the growing confidence in the country's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector that has since shifted to a hybrid format to adapt… Read More
Hotels in GCQ areas now allowed leisure guests aged 18 to 65
May 28, 2021, 8:13 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday welcomed the pandemic task force's decision to allow accredited accommodation establishments in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) to book leisure stays at 30 percent venue capacity. The DOT said the move would bring back significant… Read More
