Travel and Tourism

Hotels not listed staycation AEs can’t accept leisure guests

Hotels not listed staycation AEs can’t accept leisure guests

January 5, 2021, 7:10 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) reminded all hotels in areas under general community quarantine to secure a certificate to operate as staycation hotels first before accepting guests checking in for leisure. This came after City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati City was flagged on Tuesday… Read More

DOT backs expanded travel ban amid new Covid-19 variant

DOT backs expanded travel ban amid new Covid-19 variant

December 30, 2020, 1:47 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) throws its full support for the implementation of more stringent entry protocols in view of the confirmed new Covid-19 variant. “While we favor the resumption of inbound travel to stimulate economic recovery, we value above all else the health and… Read More

Tourists can now get P750 RT-PCR test at PCMC: DOT

Tourists can now get P750 RT-PCR test at PCMC: DOT

December 28, 2020, 12:23 pm

MANILA – Tourists can now apply for a PHP750 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test at the Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC), the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Monday. During the signing of a memorandum agreement with PCMC, Tourism Secretary Bernadette… Read More

DOT backs temporary ban on UK travellers

DOT backs temporary ban on UK travellers

December 23, 2020, 3:03 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has thrown its "unequivocal support" to President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to temporarily ban all flights from the United Kingdom over reports of a new coronavirus strain in the Western state. The temporary travel ban on all flights from the UK will… Read More

International flights to Cebu to resume soon

International flights to Cebu to resume soon

December 22, 2020, 3:32 pm

CEBU CITY – Cebu will soon reopen to international flights ferrying foreign tourists. The provincial government and city government of Lapu-Lapu, where the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is located, have agreed to reopen the country’s second busiest air hub to international arrivals.… Read More

Hotel sales, marketing group resilient amid pandemic

Hotel sales, marketing group resilient amid pandemic

December 19, 2020, 5:44 pm

MANILA – For the Philippines' hotel sector, 2020 has been the most challenging year it faced, with the coronavirus pandemic grounding everything to a halt. But despite the hit, the industry chose to "go with the flow" and find ways to remain resilient in the face of this global health crisis.… Read More

PH to level up food safety standards in tourism

PH to level up food safety standards in tourism

December 17, 2020, 8:52 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday formally partnered with the Food Safety & Hygiene Academy of the Philippines (FoodSHAP) to level up its accreditation process in the area of food safety. The memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two parties was signed by Tourism Secretary… Read More

DOT, TPB promote Pinoy Christmas through music

DOT, TPB promote Pinoy Christmas through music

December 16, 2020, 2:15 pm

MANILA – To usher in the Domestic Tourism Campaign in this holiday season, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines have launched “Pasko Na!”, an audio video presentation (AVP) promoting traditional Filipino Christmas practices through Ryan… Read More

Domestic tourists can now get subsidized RT-PCR test: DOT

Domestic tourists can now get subsidized RT-PCR test: DOT

December 15, 2020, 6:13 pm

MANILA – Tourists may now apply for a subsidized reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test at the UP-Philippine General Hospital following a formal agreement between the public hospital and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB). The subsidy program, with PHP10-million budget… Read More

Tourism dep't bats for uniform LGU travel requirements 

Tourism dep't bats for uniform LGU travel requirements 

December 15, 2020, 12:35 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has lauded local government units (LGUs) for their efforts in reopening safe tourist destinations all over the country in answer to the increasing interest in travel and tour activities. “We are truly impressed with the efforts of the LGUs for extending… Read More

DOT to aid Zambales in safe, gradual tourism reopening

DOT to aid Zambales in safe, gradual tourism reopening

December 12, 2020, 11:50 am

MANILA – As local government leaders of Zambales start to prepare to reopen the provincial borders to local visitors, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has vowed to provide additional assistance to intensify health and safety protocols in the province. “As with all other destinations, I cannot… Read More

MakatiMed, DOT partner for health security in tourist spots

MakatiMed, DOT partner for health security in tourist spots

December 11, 2020, 3:47 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Makati Medical Center Foundation Inc. (MakatiMed Foundation) partnered to ensure tourism destination health security as several Philippine landmarks gradually reopen to travelers. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and MakatiMed Foundation… Read More

Free virtual concert to feature Manila's heritage, OPM artists

Free virtual concert to feature Manila's heritage, OPM artists

December 10, 2020, 8:48 pm

MANILA – A multitude of cultural heritage sites in Manila will get the spotlight in an upcoming free virtual concert on December 13, featuring various OPM artists such as Ebe Dancel, Armi Millare, and IV of Spades' Blaster Silonga. “The Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila concert will give us the… Read More

DOT vows promotion of Batangas dive tourism

DOT vows promotion of Batangas dive tourism

December 10, 2020, 8:25 am

MANILA – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday vowed to support the continued development of dive tourism in Anilao, Batangas, otherwise known as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines. During the stakeholders meeting hosted by Mabini Mayor Noel… Read More

DOT supports global Covid-19 vaccine passport

DOT supports global Covid-19 vaccine passport

December 10, 2020, 8:24 am

MANILA – The Department of Tourism expressed its support to the proposed global coronavirus vaccine passport that would restore trust and travel confidence once Covid-19 inoculation rolls out across the world. "The proposals for a 'COVID-19 passport' is welcome and will be looked into by the… Read More

Cebu Pacific launches seat sale with DOT to boost tourism

Cebu Pacific launches seat sale with DOT to boost tourism

December 9, 2020, 7:56 pm

MANILA – As more local destinations are opening their doors for travel, Cebu Pacific (CEB) was joined by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as it launched its "12.12 Piso sale", virtually on Wednesday. The seat sale can be availed of from December 10-12, for travel from August 1 to November 30,… Read More

Tourism board allots P10-M Covid-19 test subsidy for Bohol

Tourism board allots P10-M Covid-19 test subsidy for Bohol

December 9, 2020, 8:05 am

MANILA – The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has earmarked PHP10 million to subsidize the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing of travelers and tourism workers in Bohol as the island province announces its reopening to tourists beginning December 15. Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat… Read More

Bohol formally opens to travelers starting Dec. 15

Bohol formally opens to travelers starting Dec. 15

December 8, 2020, 6:19 pm

MANILA – Bohol province will finally welcome individual tourists starting Dec. 15, including those from areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced Tuesday. Saying Christmas is just around the corner, Puyat welcomed the development. During… Read More

PAL seeks resumption of flights to Surigao from Cebu, Manila

PAL seeks resumption of flights to Surigao from Cebu, Manila

December 7, 2020, 8:16 pm

BUTUAN CITY – The management of the Surigao Airport in Surigao City said the Philippine Airlines (PAL) has applied for two direct flights from Manila and Cebu. Surigao Airport Manager Junelito Abrazado told the Philippine News Agency on Monday (Dec. 7) that the PAL management, in a letter dated… Read More

Tourism workforce urged to avail DOT-DOLE financial assistance

Tourism workforce urged to avail DOT-DOLE financial assistance

December 7, 2020, 6:01 pm

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is reaching out to tourism workers who were affected by the closure of establishments or those which scaled down operations, to immediately avail of the expanded financial assistance as part of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act interventions to address… Read More