Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday raised the possible postponement of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, which the Philippines is set to host in March 2022.
During the hearing of the Committee on Finance on the budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Marcos expressed concern that the event will lead to an outbreak in COVID-19 cases.
“Don’t you think this is somewhat premature since we have not overtaken our infection numbers? HIndi ba dapat ma-vaccinate muna… ibagsak muna ‘yung infection numbers bago tayo sumabak sa mga international summit katulad nito?” she said.
[Don’t you think this is somewhat premature since we have not overtaken our infection numbers? Are we not supposed to vaccinate the population first, lower our infection numbers before we host international summits such as these?]
“I think the more prudent measure would be to postpone this further,” she later added.
On Monday, Puyat announced that the Philippines will host the WTTC Global Summit, an annual event that gathers over 800 delegates representing the largest and most prominent international travel and tourism companies.
The summit was originally scheduled in October but was pushed to March.
Meanwhile, Anthonette Velasco-Allones of the Tourism Promotions Board said they are contemplating hosting the summit through a hybrid mode.
She said they have also met with the Inter-Agency Task Force Against COVID-19.
“We actually presented before the IATF, the developed protocols that will be observed for safety and security… fluid ‘yung situation [the situation is fluid] in terms of the actual people attending,” Allones said.
Allones said they are continuously monitoring the situation.
“Hindi po tayo susulong sa isang sitwasyon na malalagay tayo sa alanganin as well as ‘yung sitwasyon po nung mga bisita nating dadating, if ever,” she said.
[We will not engage in a situation that will endanger us as well as our guests.]
The Philippines has logged a total of 2,434,753 confirmed cases.—LDF, GMA News
Senator urges postponement of March 2022 world tourism summit
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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