Gov’t leans on domestic travel for tourism sector recovery

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is banking on domestic travel to aid the Philippine tourism’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

In a televised briefing on Friday, Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said short distance travels, especially with family members, may take place once the lockdown measures are lifted by the government.

“Mag-uumpisa 'yan mga domestic travel, medyo mga short distances muna siguro by land lang muna. And then siguro 'yung mga kasama mo 'yung mga pamilya mo or at least 'yung mga kabisado mo ang travel history,” Bengzon said.

"We believe that, for the rest of the year, what will really trigger the activities would be itong domestic tourism movement.”

Bengzon said tour operators and travel agencies have the discretion to offer tour packages in advance.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) estimated the revenue from foreign tourist arrivals for the first three months of the year at P85 billion, down 35% from the same period in 2019. 

Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo has proposed a P370-billion fiscal stimulus package to keep the economy afloat. Of this amount, P43 billion will be used to aid stakeholders in tourism industry.

“Out of the P43 billion that will be allocated to us, siguro kulang-kulang mga P36 billion will go to ‘yung working capital kasi ‘yun talaga ang pinaka-importante,” Bengzon said.

Providing wage subsidies is also a priority, he said.

“Kailangan makaahon, kailangan makatayo itong mga tour operators, travel agents natin, ‘yung ibang tourism enterprises dahil sila po ang katulong natin magpo-promote, magma-market ng Pilipinas eventually,” Bengzon said.

In anticipation of the "new normal" environment after the COVID-19 crisis, the DOT will be adopting several policies and programs to be applied to the country's tourism stakeholders.

These include the regular sanitation and disinfection of hotels, resorts and other accommodations, tourism transport services and other tourism-related establishments, and the provision of sanitation or disinfection devices to tourism workers.

Tourism establishments will also be regularly inspected that will involve relevant agencies on health and safety standards such as the Department of Health.

The DOT will also encourage the development of online systems that can facilitate tourism-related transactions digitally. — RSJ, GMA News