NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 30 (PIA)—The Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 is urging tourism operators to consider three points in preparing enhanced tourism package as a strategy to restart local tourism amid the pandemic.
In her report during the Dagyaw Episode 3: Ang Pagbangon Sang Turismo sa Tunga sang Pandemya, DOT 6 Chief Tourism Operations Officer Cristine Mansinares said tourism package should first focus on bespoke or requested itineraries.
She said activities should be tailored to the need of the current market such as wellness, nature-based and memorable travels for the tourists.
These packages, she noted, will cost due to airline tickets and health requirements such as real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) test so the tour should be worth the experience of clients.
Secondly, it will also be in smaller tour groups that may eventually call for more tour guides as passengers in buses and tourist vans will be reduced to meet requirement for social distancing.
Thirdly, the package should also have reduced contact activities.
For this, the department has a DOT safe pass for its accredited establishment, she said.
“It is an all-in-one digital solution in promoting no touch economy extended for free to DOT accredited enterprises,” Mansinares said.
It can also be used in sari-sari stores, house, office, public markets and other areas where people converge, she added.
Quoting the "Key Insights in the Philippine Travel Survey – Indications of the New Normal," she said domestic leisure travel will lead Philippine tourism recovery.
She disclosed that tourist arrival and tourism receipts targets may not be realized within the year but strong economic and health measures will protect jobs and ensure the continued operations of Western Visayas tourism enterprises.
Mansinares said that in Region 6, the pandemic has affected 15,449 workers in the tourism sector, however, various government assistance interventions have been rolled out to assist qualified beneficiaries, she noted.
“A sustainable tourism-driven region by 2022 remains our main goal as we respond to climate concerns with a balanced approach to sustainability,” she said.
She noted that DOT will continue to promote sustainable, ethical and responsible tourism. (JSC/Lljr/PIA6 Negros Occidental)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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