The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it is optimistic the free RT-PCR tests it is offering to domestic tourists could help entice more Filipinos to go out and visit places in the country.
In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Baby Landan, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) officer for marketing and promotions, said 350 tourists may avail the free tests per day as long as they present copies of their government-issued ID and transportation tickets, as well as proof that they will stay in a DOT-accredited establishment.
They must also submit their online registration at least five days before the intended travel date.
“Inaasahan natin na lalakas lalo ang turismo sa nalalabing buwan ng 2021. Ika nga, there’s no way to go but up,” Landan said.
“Nakita naman natin na kamakailan ay dinagsa ang Boracay [that has] 99.3% vaccinated tourist workers. May tiwala na ang LGU na buksan ito para sa mga turista at ganoon din sa ating domestic tourists. So inaasahan natin ang pagdagsa talaga at pagbalik ng turismo sa bansa,” she added.
(We are expecting that the local tourism will grow even stronger in the remaining months of 2021. As they say, there’s no way to go but up. Recently, we saw the many tourists in Boracay that now has 99.3% vaccinated tourist workers. The LGU has the trust to open its borders for tourists. That’s why we are expecting the influx and return of tourism in the country.)
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Aside from Boracay, some of the destinations that have opened their borders to tourists are Bohol, Baguio, Ilocos Sur, and Palawan. The requirements and protocols for various destinations are also consolidated on the DOT’s Philippine Travel app.
DOT started offering the free swab test on November 1.
Tourism workers
Further, Landan said boosting tourism will who spur the creation of job for those displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat earlier said that as of November 1, at least 67% of the tourism workers in the country are already vaccinated against the virus. They are also prioritizing the vaccination of tourism workers in various destinations so that travel restrictions can be eased.
Landan reminded that most of these destinations require tourists to present their vaccination cards and negative results of their RT-PCR tests.
“Bago po tayo bumyahe ay check po natin ‘yung mga guidelines at issuances ng airlines at tsaka ng local government units (LGUs) kung saan tayo pupunta. Kasi the restrictions and guidelines vary depending on the LGUs,” she added.
(Before you travel, check first the guidelines and issuances of airlines and LGUs where you will be going. The restrictions and guidelines vary depending on the LGUs.)—Giselle Ombay/LDF, GMA News
DOT hopes free swab test can shore up local tourism
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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