DOT takes Grab Philippines as partner in regional promotion for PHL tourism

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Grab Philippines public affairs head Leo Emanuel, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones and Grab president Brian Cu launch a partnership to support the DOT’s national tourism development on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 in Intramuros, Manila. The partnership aims to promote tourism in the Philippine within Southeast Asia to propel economic growth. Danny Pata

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and transport network company Grab Philippines entered into a partnership in promoting the country as tourist destination within Southeast Asia where the company operates.

The Singapore-based firm has grown rapidly since it ended a bruising battle with Uber last year by buying its US rival’s ride-hailing and food operations in the region.

Grab, which operates in eight Southeast Asian countries, has invested more than $200 million in Vietnam since entering the market in 2014. It is investing another $500 million over five years in Vietnam, the company’s latest expansion in a key Southeast Asian market, according to Agence France-Presse.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Grab Philippines president Brian Cu signed a memorandum of understanding in Manila on Wednesday to promote national tourism and help grow the tourism economy.

Grab partner vehicles in the region will display or disseminate digital tourism materials produced and developed by the DOT. The transport network company is not charge the DOT for its materials.

“This is part of our mutual partnership with DOT. So Grab will not charge them for the tourism materials which will be played on partner-vehicles’ existing tablets or screens,” Grab Philippines spokesperson and Public Affairs manager Nicka Hosaka told GMA News Online.

Grab’s regional reach could help boost government efforts in promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination, Puyat noted.

Grab operates in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

DOT and Grab signed a separate memorandum of agreement with the Intramuros Administration to pilot test GrabWheels, a personal mobility electronic scooter, within the Walled City.

“We are excited and humbled to be working with the DOT as partner in promoting tourist attractions in the Philippines,” Cu said.

Grab will provide 30 units of e-scooters for the initial rollout of GrabWheels during a three-month pilot run which the public may use for free.

Cu said the company may extend the free trial, depending on the pilot run’s outcome. —VDS, GMA News