Travel and Tourism
DOT bullish on recovery of English schools in PH
July 11, 2020, 6:45 pm
MANILA – Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is optimistic about the recovery of English schools in the Philippines that would eventually put the Philippines back as a leading English as a Second Language (ESL) destination. “The students who have come here have returned to their home… Read More
Palawan wins world's best island title in T+L list
July 9, 2020, 5:51 pm
MANILA -- Palawan was cited as the world's best island in the Travel+Leisure (T+L) 2020 World's Best Awards. With a score of 94.83, Palawan bested 24 others in the world's islands category, which included the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, Maui in Hawaii, Bali in Indonesia, and Great Barrier Reef… Read More
DOT to issue 'new normal' protocols for MICE
July 8, 2020, 8:56 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is crafting specific health and safety protocols for other tourism sectors, including the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) in line with the "new normal" brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. "We will be issuing… Read More
Enhanced travel insurance mulled as requirement to exit PH
July 8, 2020, 8:10 pm
MANILA – A travel medical insurance with additional two weeks or 15 days coverage may soon be required before a Filipino traveler can exit the country, a ranking Department of Tourism (DOT) official said Wednesday. "Ang napag-usapan doon sa technical working group ay malamang tataasan natin… Read More
Palawan eyes tourism resumption in 3 towns
July 3, 2020, 5:37 pm
MANILA – Palawan is targeting the resumption of tourism activities in the towns of El Nido, Coron, and San Vicente once safety and health protocols have been set in place in the province. There is no specific date yet as to when the three municipalities will start accepting travelers, but… Read More
Nat'l gov't inspects protocol compliance of hotels, restos in NCR
July 1, 2020, 8:01 pm
MANILA – Government officials visited on Wednesday two hotels and restaurants in a mall in Pasig City to inspect whether health and safety protocols against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) are being implemented. Although contactless transactions may still be further improved, Tourism chief… Read More
Domestic travel to drive recovery of tourism industry
June 29, 2020, 1:56 pm
MANILA – Domestic travel will lead the recovery of the country’s tourism industry with Filipino travelers expecting to go to destinations closer to home and spending less amid lingering health concerns caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. This is the gist of the results… Read More
DOT welcomes reactivation of tourist cops
June 27, 2020, 10:46 am
MANILA – Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat hailed on Friday the reactivation of the tourist police units, saying it would hasten the tourism industry’s recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Puyat’s statement came after Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief,… Read More
DOT, Palawan to discuss protocols for tourism reopening
June 26, 2020, 4:49 pm
MANILA – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is flying to Palawan next week to discuss with the local government protocols for its eventual reopening for tourists. "Next week, pupunta po ako sa Palawan. Under MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) na sila.… Read More
Tourism industry hikes share in GDP to 13%
June 22, 2020, 9:22 am
MANILA – The tourism industry increased its contribution to the country's economy to almost 13 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to government statistics. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said this confirms the industry’s vital role in the country’s… Read More
Duty Free Philippines not closing provincial outlets
June 21, 2020, 11:54 am
MANILA – The Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) has cancelled its plan to permanently close its provincial airport stores as a response to the coronavirus' impact on travel retail. "With the shift to GCQ (general community quarantine) which eased most travel restrictions and reopened air… Read More
Cagsawa Ruins to reopen after 3-month closure
June 17, 2020, 10:37 am
DARAGA, Albay – Cagsawa Ruins, a famous tourist spot in Daraga, will reopen its doors on June 20 after three months of closure due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health crisis. Daraga Mayor Victor Perete told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Tuesday that visitors will… Read More
Safety, consumer confidence priority under new tourism normal
June 13, 2020, 8:41 am
MANILA – The country's tourism industry is bound to bounce back and once it does, the public is assured that the government will put safety before actual tourism resumption, a Department of Tourism (DOT) executive said Friday. "The very core of tourism has been affected by the pandemic. The best… Read More
Tax incentives for tourism firms approved: DOT
June 10, 2020, 8:50 pm
MANILA – The Board of Investments (BOI) has recently approved tax incentives for tourism enterprises that shall modernize and upgrade their facilities for safety and health purposes, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said on Wednesday. The tax relief includes income tax holiday for three… Read More
PH looks at 'travel bubble' once tourism resumes
June 10, 2020, 8:42 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is looking at introducing travel corridors or the so-called "travel bubble" once restrictions have relaxed and protocols are in place. These corridors would allow the reopening of Philippine destinations with zero coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases… Read More
DOT issues protocols for tourist land transport
June 10, 2020, 5:51 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has issued the New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines for Tourist Land Transport Services covering transport operators/owners, passengers, vehicles, and drivers. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat signed Memorandum Circular No. 2020-003 on June… Read More
DOT welcomes PH 'rising stars in travel' citation by Forbes.com
June 6, 2020, 10:48 am
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has welcomed the latest tourism-related distinction received by the country, having been recently named as one of the “Rising Stars in Travel” by Forbes.com, the website of the American business and financial news publication. In a recently published… Read More
MGCQ destinations want late resumption of tourism activities
June 2, 2020, 9:50 pm
MANILA – Most tourist destinations that already shifted to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) are still hesitant to resume tourism activities, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat disclosed Tuesday. Among these are Bohol and Baguio, which seek to postpone leisure activities by… Read More
DOT, attached agencies promote digital tourism
June 2, 2020, 9:21 pm
MANILA – With the hampered travel movement brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic situation, work and play are inevitably done online. The evolving crisis and in anticipation of other challenges, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies are making… Read More
DOT welcomes resumption of tourism ops in MGCQ areas
May 30, 2020, 6:14 pm
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Saturday welcomed the resumption of travel and other activities in places under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), hoping this could pave the eventual recovery of the tourism sector “It's important for the tourism sector to open as soon as… Read More
