The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) recently rolled out the #MoreFunAwaits campaign as more people are starting to consider traveling again.
The campaign aims to reassure travelers that exploring the country can still be fun without compromising their safety amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. “Through this campaign, we are showing that the safety and well-being of tourists are our priority, ” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. “Our tourism workers are well trained in enhanced health and hygiene protocols, and tourism establishments have also implemented safeguards in their premises to protect their guests and employees.”
Aside from the focus on safety, visitors will be happy to explore the country for “newly-developed circuits with new exciting activities, destinations, and tourist attractions that have been developed” in different regions of the Philippines.
The campaign puts a spotlight on outdoor activities such as bike tours, hiking and trekking, dive circuits, farm and food tourism circuits, and outdoor museums through historical and cultural tours. Of course, beach destinations are always an option.
“We are optimistic that the More Fun Awaits campaign, and all our efforts since the pandemic started, will be sustained as the tourism industry recovers under safe conditions,” the Tourism Secretary added.
Some of these tourist attractions include the beloved and UNESCO-listed Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao and Tubbataha Reef, another UNESCO World Heritage site in Coron, Palawan.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River also in Palawan, named one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature also remains to be one of the top destinations to see in the Philippines.
Boracay and Siargao, two of the best beaches globally either for their renowned powdery white sand or barrel waves for endless tube riding, are also set to reopen.
Other popular attractions include the famous Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the scenic and mountainous Cordillera and Benguet region, the cultural landmarks in the Ilocos region, among many others.
As of September 14 of 2021, the Department has awarded a World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travel Stamp to three local tourism destinations namely Baguio City, Boracay Island, and Ilocos Norte. There are also currently about 200 DOT-accredited and WTTC-stamped accommodation establishments nationwide.
The WTTC is an international association that represents leaders in the worldwide travel and tourism sector. The stamp is the council’s seal of approval certifying compliance with its global health standards to allow for safe travels.
This stamp is also the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp for travelers since the pandemic started. Travelers can look out for the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp to identify governments and businesses that have adopted global standardized health and hygiene standards.
Many of the airlines, airports, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, attractions, and transportation establishments will be able to carry the stamp as an extra certification for conforming to proper health and safety standards.
The DOT has been conducting comprehensive inspections and assessments to guarantee that only certified businesses are given permission to operate and welcome visitors.
The Philippine government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is also helping out by continuously enhancing protocols to prioritize the safety of both local and foreign visitors who are traveling around the country.
Another leg of the initiative to improve tourism recovery is the recently opened terminal in Clark International Airport. The province of Pampanga has one of the biggest connectivity to different local destinations, which is helpful in expanding its reach of local tourists.
The new terminal is a hybrid public-private partnership project that provides safe and efficient services such as contactless self-check-in and bag drop, an advanced docking guidance system, and contactless ordering for pre-flight dining. The efficiency is a move in the right direction as the world continues to find novel ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
Aside from the #MoreFunAwaits campaign, another initiative from the DOT is their #GandaMoPinas campaign on TikTok. Content creators are encouraged to share and feature tourist spots, cuisines, and local products of their region. This campaign aims to get the viewers and followers excited to visit different destinations around the country once traveling is safe again. Content from the #GandaMoPinas campaign can be viewed at the official TikTok account of the DOT.
