#VisitCentralVisayas: TPB and DOT bring 11th Regional Travel Fair to Cebu

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, is set to stage one of its flagship programs, the 11th Regional Travel Fair (RTF), from 21 to 23 July 2023 at SM Seaside City, Cebu.

The RTF is a government-initiated trade fair that strategically conducts its events across different regions of the country. This initiative provides an excellent platform for host regions to showcase their unique tourism offerings in partnership with the local government units and local industry players.

In its 11th installment, the RTF will shine the spotlight on Central Visayas, a region renowned for its white sandy beaches, breathtaking sceneries, and unspoiled natural wonders. A travelers’ mecca, this region offers a multitude of activities for both islands and highlands explorations – from idyllic white sand beaches to captivating underwater scenery and exhilarating adventures to vibrant historical sites. It is sure to attract tourists to #VisitCentralVisayas and explore its breathtaking wonders.

“After a series of hybrid regional travel fairs, we are thrilled to stage a full in-person event and gather key industry stakeholders to the 11th RTF in Cebu. I invite everyone to join us as we embark on a meaningful journey to #VisitCentralVisayas and discover its treasures,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

The 11th RTF will commence with Business-to-Business sessions between local sellers and buyers to establish valuable relationships, promote collaboration on marketing campaigns and product development while also sharing emerging trends and best practices in the industry.

A two-day Business-to-Consumer session is also slated on July 22-23 wherein over 70 exhibitors will showcase and offer discounted domestic tour packages, airline tickets, accommodations, and other tourism-related products and services.

The fair will also feature the handloom weaving industry of Hablon Weavers of Argao and Banig Weavers of Badian, Cebu. These centuries-old traditions hold immense cultural and traditional significance, representing the vibrant history and heritage of the Cebuano people.

Be part of the 11th RTF and get a chance to score great travel deals for your next adventure! Register now at https://rtf.tpb.gov.ph/

TPB and DOT to join the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 in Indonesia

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) will join the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 02-05 February 2023 to showcase what the Philippines has to offer to the international market and strengthen business relationships to further boost the country’s tourism.

The ATF 2023 is the biggest annual tourism event in the ASEAN region and is expected to attract more than 2000 participants from more than 25 countries. These include tourism ministers and officials, sellers, international buyers, international and local media as well as trade visitors.

The Philippine participation in the ATF 2023 is one of TPB and DOT’s events lined up for the year to showcase the country’s readiness for tourism, and at the same time, support the private sector by providing valuable networking opportunities to promote their products and services.

With the theme, “ASEAN: A Journey To Wonderful Destinations,” ATF 2023 brings the Philippines and the rest of the countries in the South East Asia region collectively to promote their unique hospitality and cultural diversity, in alignment with the ASEAN vision, “A Destination for Every Dream”.

TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles noted that the country’s participation in the ASEAN Tourism Forum and other international events, since the easing of travel borders worldwide enabled the Philippines to move forward to a better normal and boost the recovery of the tourism industry.

“These key international shows have proven to drive a significant number of leads and exposure for the country, and we at the TPB are more than ready to be back on the global stage and aggressively put a spotlight on what the Philippines has to offer,” said TPB COO Nograles.

Numerous high-level events will be conducted in the ATF including a meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), press briefing, tourism conference, and the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) fair.

TRAVEX is a trade-only mart that showcases the world’s largest contingent of ASEAN destination products and services, and facilitates selling, buying and promoting the region internationally.

The Philippines will be joining the TRAVEX fair with a 144 sq. booth which will be participated by sixteen (16) local seller participants. The Philippine delegation will also present updates on the country’s tourism industry in a media briefing session scheduled on 2 February 2023.

TPB will also host a luncheon to showcase traditional Philippine cuisine and a cultural performance for the invited international buyer participants, Philippine private sector sellers, and media on 5 February 2023.

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About the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines is the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, whose mandate is to promote the Philippines, domestically and internationally, as a leisure, MICE, and investment destination. The agency fulfills its mandate through organizing, participating, or supporting tourism consumer or trade events; expanding media partnerships and advertising; continuing content development and distribution programs; creating thematic and strategic consumer activations domestically and abroad; facilitating familiarization tours for buyers, location scouts, and diplomatic corps members; and engaging its TPB membership program.

‘Go where your mind’s been wandering’ – A new campaign by the DOT, TPB, and BBDO Guerrero

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) have launched a beautiful outdoor, press, and online campaign, with the help of BBDO Guerrero, to promote domestic tourism in the Philippines as the country recovers from the pandemic and travel restrictions are eased.

The campaign 'Go where your mind's been wandering,' highlights the re-opening of 10 popular tourist destinations, from white sand beaches to strawberry farms, in captivating photos that illustrate the unique characteristics of each place and, if you look closely, reveal a silhouette of a hidden face.

From surfing in La Union, diving in Cebu and hiking in Davao, you're sure to find something you love, no matter where your mind's been wandering.

The campaign was produced together with STILLS MNL Photographer Jason Quibilan and UGL Post Production with minimal retouching, inviting domestic tourists to rediscover the beauty of the Philippines - safely and responsibly.

Stop dreaming, start planning, now ‘go where your mind’s been wandering’.

Legarda, DOT and Antique LGU launch documentary on Antique's marine treasures on Discovery Channel - "Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea"

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Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, a new documentary is produced by studio H20 through the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda , The Department of Tourism in partnership with the Province of Antique.

The documentary, which captures the underwater beauty of the province, as well as the true heart of the Antiqueños, will air on Discovery Channel on March 23, 2022 (Wednesday), with replays on March 24, 2022

Antique, a province in Panay Island in Western Visayas in the Philippines, is often overlooked as a tourist destination because of its proximity to the more popular Boracay Island in Aklan. But Antiqueños believe this will soon change.

"Antique is a paradise where the mountains meet the sea. It is a province that may have been in the doldrums for three decades but is now experiencing (its) Golden Age," says Loren Legarda, Deputy Speaker and Representative of the Lone District of Antique.

Under Legarda’s vision of discovering, documenting and protecting Antique’s rich marine biodiversity, she allocated a budget under the Department of Tourism that was implemented by the local government of Antique and the DOT regional office.

In early 2021, Studio H2O organized an expedition team composed of marine researchers, scientists, and underwater cinematographers. Aside from conducting a scientific survey of the reefs in Antique, particularly around the coastal areas of Pandan Bay and Libertad, the project also held a freediving workshop for fisherfolks with the intention of teaching them how to survey, protect and do an inventory of their own marine areas.

"Part of the survey is to have the local people learn the method so they can continue on with the monitoring, or at least be interested in learning more about it," says Tara Abrina, one of the team's researchers and freediving instructors. "The objective of the project was really for tourism, to see where people can go to dive, where guests can stay, and what might be interesting underwater," she adds.

During the survey, a rare sighting of an oceanic manta ray, a creature known to visit nutrient-rich waters that provide zooplankton, surprised and excited the team. The oceanic manta ray is famous for its majestic form that could reach up to twenty-three feet across. For the researchers, the encounter was truly magical. But no one was more delighted than the staunch environmental champion herself. "The discovery and sighting of the existence of the manta ray in our waters is so important because it shows they thrive in a healthy marine ecosystem," says Deputy Speaker Legarda. "And the manta ray, of course, must be protected at all costs, especially because it is identified as possibly threatened for extinction," she further emphasizes.

Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

Deputy Speaker Legarda is aware that the oceanic manta ray sighting can draw in more visitors and open up more possibilities for ecotourism. That is why she believes that the tedious task of survey and documentation is crucial in educating the public about the all-important work of protecting the environment. Thus, her continued support for projects such as this remains steadfast. "How can we protect something we don't know exists and so documenting all of this-- taking photos and video without destroying their habitats—is very important."

Legarda authored several landmark environmental laws, as well as laws on marine protection and conservation such as Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, the Climate Change Act, Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System, National Environmental Awareness and Education Act, People’s Survival Fund Act, and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, among others. As Deputy Speaker and Representative of the Lone District of Antique, Legarda has also authored bills for the province’s marine protection such as the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in Tibiao and the Northern Antique Protected Seascape and Landscape.

Watch the journey of the Antique expedition team in Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, a new documentary produced by Studio H2O through the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda, the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Province of Antique. 

The 20-minute documentary, which captures the underwater beauty of the province, as well as the true heart of the Antiqueños, will air on Discovery Channel on March 23, 2022 (Wednesday) at 6:15 pm (Philippine standard time), with replays on March 24, 2022 at 8:15 am and 11:25 am (Philippine standard time). Discovery Channel airs in the following countries: Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and India.

DOT Launches “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project

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The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) invites everyone to go on an ambient sound trip and experience a destination through the distinct sounds that can be heard when all is quiet.

In launching the “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project, the DOT aims to bring people to certain destinations through ASMR videos that explore the natural sounds of a place, allowing one to tune into nature and be fully present in the moment.

The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (QJEP) defines Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as a “special perceptual phenomenon in which some people can experience a tingling, static-like sensation in response to some certain auditory or visual stimulations”. It brings a pleasant feeling that one experiences in response to certain sounds, visuals, feelings, or descriptions. The sensation leads to contentment and relaxation.

“This project of the DOT is anchored on the concept that, when people travel, they go ‘sightseeing’, but it is with their ears that they hear and sense things all around them. Through these videos, people get to share with the travel experience,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

The Municipality of Barlig in Mountain Province offers a captivating view of the world famous rice terraces. Photo by @celluloidmanila, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The initial four ASMR videos that will be launched feature the Mountain Province in the Cordilleras, particularly the remote town of Barlig located at the foothills of Mt. Amuyao and the journey to the summit of the mountain. 

With Mountain Province currently under Alert Level 4, and the rest of the country under the observation of different alert level restrictions, these videos will allow viewers to experience the grandeur of Mountain Province no matter where they are, through their video devices.

The trail to the peak of Mt. Amuyao, the highest point of Mountain Province. Photo by @celluloidmanila, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The first video for the Mountain Province series, featuring a walk in the serene town of Barlig and its amazing terraces, has already been launched on DOT’s YouTube channel and can be accessed through this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjJeD2qsshyH_uDuKLjassvLUulHCwKmS. This is the first of several ASMR video series. The succeeding video series will explore Ilocos Norte, then destinations in Visayas and Mindanao.

Located at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Saud Beach was hailed as one of the Travel + Leisure’s list of 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Recorded using Ambisonics, the audio is captured in a 360-degree sphere from the position of the microphone. This immersive experience teleports the viewer/listener to the environment. One can leave this on in the background as unobtrusive, calming noises throughout the day.

For best experience, use open back headphones, but any headphones, earphones, or earbuds will also work. 

All ASMR videos can be accessed through the DOT official YouTube channel. Subscribe to get updates when new videos are uploaded.

DOT puts a spotlight on the Pampanga-Clark-Cebu City Interregional Tour

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With the easing of restrictions on leisure travel, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has started to promote the various tourism circuits that it had been developing throughout the year. One of these is the Pampanga-Clark-Cebu City interregional tour that involves a diverse set of tourism attractions and experiences and their respective award-winning international airports.

The newly built Clark International Airport Terminal 2. Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism Region 3

“We have been ramping up our efforts to vaccinate our tourism workers so that we restore confidence in people to travel again. Now, with the resumption of leisure travel, we are encouraging tourists to visit destinations that have a high number of fully vaccinated tourism workers,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

For Pampanga, including Clark Freeport Zone, 92.08% of its tourism workers have already been vaccinated. Tourists can now safely visit the restaurants of Pampanga, the country’s culinary capital, and explore the province’s sites, such as the Bacolor Church, Mt. Arayat National Park, Diaspora Farm Resort, Lubao Bamboo Hub, and the various attractions at the Clark Freeport Zone, like Clark Natural Park, Dinosaur Island, Clark Museum, to name a few.

Some of the colorful displays found at the Clark Museum in Pampanga. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

For Metro Cebu, which includes Cebu City, 93.74% of tourism workers have been inoculated. Travelers can now visit these sites in Cebu City: Adlawon Farm, Sirao Flower Garden, Magellan's Cross, Sto. Nino Church, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza Hamabar, Cebu Heritage Monument, Colon Obelisk, and Museo Sugbo, among others.

This particular interregional tour showcases not only the best of Pampanga, Clark, and Cebu City, but also encourages safe travel by air and highlights alternative gateways that tourists can utilize, such as the Clark International Airport and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Current available Cebu-Clark-Cebu flights are serviced by Philippine Airlines every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, and by Cebu Pacific every Tuesday and Thursday.

The historical Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

The DOT chief said that with the reopening of domestic tourism in the country, they aim to provide more meaningful experience for travelers while also supporting the restart of the tourism industry and its allied sectors, such as the aviation industry.

For more updates about open destinations in the Philippines and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel or download the Travel Philippines app at the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

PH cited Asia’s top beach and dive destination anew in 2021 World Travel Awards

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The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) announced today that the Philippines is, once again, Asia's leading beach destination and Asia’s leading dive destination at the 28th World Travel Awards (WTA).

“We are elated that the country’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots have once again been cited as the best in Asia by the prestigious 2021 World Travel Awards. We share this recognition with our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and all Filipinos who have been helping us promote our country’s attractions, products, and culture,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

Panglao Island, located in Bohol Sea in Central Visayas, is a famous tourist destination known for its

white-sand beaches and world-class diving sites. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

This is the Philippines’ fifth time to win Asia's Leading Beach Destination and the third time in a row since 2019 to win Asia’s Leading Dive Destination award.

The Philippines is still in the running for the following World categories of the 28th World Travel Awards:

● World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021: Philippines

● World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021: Philippines

● World’s Leading Island Destination 2021: Siargao, Philippines

● World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021: Intramuros, Philippines

● World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Philippines, Department of Tourism

Voting runs until midnight of October 25, 2021 via https://www.worldtravelawards.com/.

Siargao Island, a popular surfing destination, is home to unspoiled white sand beaches. Photo by Beautiful Destinations, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The WTA aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

“This will boost our efforts to keep the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination for foreign tourists as we await the resumption of international leisure travel to the country, consistent with our “More Fun Awaits” global campaign,” said Puyat..

Some of the country’s top beach destinations, such as Boracay in Aklan, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, and El Nido and Amanpulo in Palawan, have already opened to domestic tourists and are ready to welcome foreign tourists once international borders reopen.

El Nido is a Philippine municipality on Palawan Island. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines for its absolutely stunning islands and beaches. Photo by Erwin Lim, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Moreover, the PDOT has developed many of the country’s beach destinations, as well as new and existing dive circuits and is constantly identifying potential destinations that may be developed for dive tourism. Top diving spots in the country include the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu, Balicasag, Panglao and Anda in Bohol, and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.

Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life, and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. Photos by Robert Yin.

Anilao in Batangas has some of the best scuba diving for underwater photography in the world, particularly for rare underwater critters and new species of fish. Photo by Evelyn Go, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Sombrero Reef in Batangas is a diving site where gorgonians, black coral, shells, rays, grunts, jacks, snappers, and a great variety of soft corals are scattered all over the place. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The Department also ensures that the safety of visitors remains is prioritized with the strict implementation of health protocols in destinations that have opened their doors to guests. Meanwhile, more than half or about 65.53% of tourism workers in the country have already received their Covid-19 jabs as of October 16.

For more updates and information on the DOT’s campaigns and programs, please visit www.morefunawaits.com.

Century Park Hotel set to welcome guests under Multiple Use Hotel (MUH) status

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Department of Tourism Approves Supplementary Accommodations

 

With the recent awarding of the Safety Seal Certification, Century Park Hotel, one of the finest hotels in Manila, is pleased to announce that it has also been granted Multiple Use Hotel (MUH) status by the Department of Tourism (DOT). 

Under the operational provisions of MUH, Century Park Hotel will continue to accept essential stays for health and emergency front liners, OFWs, returning residents, foreign nationals and other individuals requiring quarantine.  The hotel can also offer accommodations for participants in essential meetings & social events, long-staying guests, business guests, and other APORs (Authorized Persons Outside Residence) in accordance with their official function or duty.  Operations under MUH are subject to the prevailing community classification status for the City of Manila.

 

In line with the MUH status, essential meetings and social events will also be accepted.

 

“This latest development is a ray of light not just for us but to the rest of our contemporaries in the hotel and tourism industry.  We look forward to the hustle and bustle of guests in our property once again.  The pandemic has been an opportunity to review and improve our processes as well as innovate the brand of hospitality that the hotel is known for. We are eager to apply our learnings in the MUH setting,” said Anthony Tan, Century Park Hotel’s General Manager.

Century Park Hotel was able to satisfy the stringent conditions set by the DOT and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) during their inspections. One can expect a hassle-free stay with the following measures in implementation:

 

·      Proper ventilation in and around the property

·      Check-in and checkout procedures with contactless transactions

·      Supporting protocols in reporting and extraction of confirmed COVID-19 cases

·      Separate buildings with designated access points and multiple elevators for quarantine and  non-quarantine guests

·     Different sets of room/food attendants serving for each type of guest

·      Proper waste disposal, disinfection and decontamination systems in place

“As a DOT-accredited hotel and Safety Seal holder, we will further bolster our health and safety protocols so that guests are assured of a clean and safe space during their stay,” he further added.

 

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Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience. To know more about Century Park Hotel, visit www.centurypark.com or contact information@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 528-8888.

DOT Teams Up with Scarlet Belo and Cartoon Network to Take Safe Trips

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) and WarnerMedia’s Cartoon Network continue their partnership to encourage everyone to start traveling safely around the country as travel restrictions are eased.

Scarlet Snow Belo photo via Facebook

The S.A.F.E.T.R.I.P. campaign video features Scarlet Snow Belo asking the help of the Powerpuff Girls to find a safe way to explore the Philippines now that leisure travel is allowed.

The trio of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup emphasized the need to follow S.A.F.E.T.R.I.P., which stands for Sanitize, Avoid mass gatherings, wear Face masks, use Electronic payments, always have your Temperature checked, follow Rules and regulations, stay updated on latest Information, and observe Physical distancing.

“As more destinations reopen for local travelers, it is our duty to remind everyone to travel with their health and safety as topmost priority,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

“As quarantine restrictions have eased, point-to-point travel from NCR Plus to other MGCQ areas for leisure is now allowed with no age restrictions, subject to a negative RT-PCR test result. This campaign of the DOT with Cartoon Network, featuring Scarlet Belo, aims to inform our travelers on what they should do in order to keep themselves and other travelers safe while embarking on new and more fun adventures,” she added.

In a recent trip to the Province of Bohol, Puyat took Scarlet, together with her parents, Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho, around the different destinations in the province that are not only beautiful, but also safe and child-friendly, such as the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier Foundation’s sanctuary. These are places that help instill pride of place and environmental awareness on both children and adults.

They also visited the Dalareich Chocolate House, an award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier, and took the Loboc River cruise and were serenaded by the world-renowned Loboc Children’s Choir at the Loboc River Resort.

“Our recent trip to Bohol is our way of showing that we can all travel again safely. I’m so glad that Scarlet had a lot of fun experiencing our wonderful tourist spots. I hope more get to travel to our safely reopened destinations this year. But let me emphasize the need to follow minimum health and safety protocol and the travel requirements of the destinations that you will visit,” said Puyat.

The DOT encourages travelers to check the official websites of the destinations they are planning to visit, as well as www.philippines.travel/safetrip for the latest updates on open destinations, travel restrictions, and entry requirements and protocol.

Huawei partners with DOT to showcase the beauty of Philippines worldwide

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HUAWEI has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) today to promote the Philippines' tourist destinations, arts and culture to its more than 600 million users around the world.

Attendees present at the signing ceremony were Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo, and Huawei Hong Kong Service COO, Mr. Wang Zhihui.

The partnership aims to showcase the Philippines' world-class tourist spots, Filipino products and tourism-related events to HUAWEI Themes users in over 170 countries and regions. Under the MoU, HUAWEI Themes users can explore the Philippines curation series now under the “Pinoy Favorites” category on the app homepage.

The DOT will be the photo contributor under this partnership to provide source images related to the Philippines’ arts and culture. Among others, the popular tourist destinations in the Philippines such as beaches, islands, heritage towns, and deep seas will be featured in the app. Moving forward, DOT will also offer domestic tourism vouchers for hotels, attractions and tours to HUAWEI Themes users.

In her speech, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed her gratitude to Huawei for supporting the DOT's efforts in handling the pandemic's effect on the tourism industry by lending its wide reach of smartphone users.

"Our strategy for the safe and gradual reopening of tourism in the Philippines will be greatly supported by this digital content partnership as it will offer Huawei users anywhere in the world with glimpses of our country's beautiful destinations and allow them to customize their mobile devices with images of our tourism offerings," Romulo-Puyat said.

The Tourism Secretary hopes that through this project, Huawei smartphone users will be inspired to visit the Philippines once the government resumes international travel.

Meanwhile, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo emphasized that Huawei's collaboration with the DOT is in line with the "glocalization" approach of Huawei Philippines and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). "Huawei has established an extensive cooperation with the government, local businesses and communities, to continuously bring innovative digital services to consumers and create greater social values," he said.

"Through the collaboration, we will curate a series of Philippines-centric wallpapers and smartphone themes, including the scenery landscapes and tourist attractions of the Philippines, as well as creative themes created by local artists, photographers, cartoonists and animators," Daniel Guo added.

The MoU will not only help promote beautiful places in the Philippines but will also open a door of opportunity for talented Filipinos. Mobile themes created by passionate marine environment artist AG Saño and digital artists Mariel Garcia, Nelvin Supilanas, Rehts Merejilla and Mark Magnaye are now available in HUAWEI Themes.

HUAWEI Themes is one of the first self-developed apps by HMS, In 2020, it achieved over 1.8 billion total themes download. By end of 2020, 96% of the PH local top apps, including Gcash, Paymaya, BDO Digital Banking, UnionBank Online, and SSS Mobile, have integrated with HMS Core and onboarded to AppGallery.

Through the open HMS Ecosystem, Huawei shares a number of innovative capabilities with its partners from various sectors, including tourism, which enable high-quality, convenient and safe applications to reach every Huawei device user in a more direct way. Through this, Huawei is able to lower the connectivity cost and expand service coverage, bringing modern digital services to a wider user base. By providing localized service applications in more countries and regions, Huawei makes All-Scenario services more accessible to users, jointly improving service efficiency and digitization level of services.

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About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains – telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services – we are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

Huawei's end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create lasting value for our customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes.

At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. We invest heavily in basic research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward. We have more than 190,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees.

For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:

http://www.facebook.com/HuaweiPhilippines

https://e.huawei.com/en/publications/global/ict_insights/201907041409/talent-ecosystem/huawei-ict-academy

DOT lauds Bohol's celebration of the annual Ubi Festival

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds the Provincial Government of Bohol's efforts in setting up this year's annual Ubi Festival under the new normal.

Running until February 24, the festival, which has been celebrated since year 2000, is proof of the Boholanos’ love for Ubi or purple yam. The root crop was revered as a “savior crop” as its discovery led to the alleviation of hunger in the province during pre-Hispanic times. Now, it has become a staple food for Boholanos because of its taste, long shelf-life, and the many food varieties that can be made from it.

As the largest producer of ubi in the country, Bohol is home to many ubi farmers who turn to the root crop for their livelihood. With this year's theme, “Pagpananum ug Ubi Napuslan, Kagutom Na Dala Sa Covid19 Nabatukan,” the festival aims to celebrate the root crop that has become an agro-historical-geographical-religious symbol for the province and highlight the impact and contributions of ubi farmers.

Photo from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist - Bohol

As part of the festival, a showcase of a variety of Ubi products like ube jams and ube-based bibingka, ice cream, and bread can be found at the Old City Airport in Tagbilaran City. The venue strictly implements health and safety protocols to assure festival-goers of an easy and memorable experience. Other cultural activities, exhibits, and seminars are also held to honor the root crop this month.

From festivals, gorgeous sights, and fun-filled activities, there’s definitely a Bohol destination for everyone. While it is famous for the Chocolate Hills, Bohol also offers other attractions that families, groups, and even solo travelers can enjoy.

Scenic views and ecotourism sites

Photo courtesy of Paul Gotiong

When one speaks of Bohol, the Chocolate Hills cannot be left out. These 1,776 individual hills spread across six towns have attracted tourists from many generations for their uniqueness and vastness. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, a place dedicated to saving the lives of endangered tarsiers, is also open for those who want to learn more about these small nocturnal primates.

 

Action-packed activities

Photo courtesy of Nataniel Luperte

Bohol also has something for adrenaline junkies. If you prefer seeing the Chocolate Hills up close, ATV rentals are available in the Carmen area. Those who want more action-packed activities can head to the Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park for zipline and cable car rides. If you prefer water activities, you can also opt for stand-up paddle boarding tours or experience a water bike adventure.

 

White-sand beaches

Bohol is also known for its white-sand beaches and clear waters. The Alona beach is a stunning 1.5km stretch of white-sand beach famous for being a must-visit spot for those who love snorkeling, scuba diving, or even those who just like to relax and watch the sunset. Travelers can also island-hop to Balicasag and Virgin islands to explore Bohol’s marine life. If you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of dolphins in the area.

 

Variety of accommodations

Tourism comprises 70% of the livelihood in Bohol, so there is no wonder that several hotels and resorts are available in the area. Whether you choose accommodations in the municipality of Panglao or Dauis, these hotels are committed to providing top-notch service and hospitality, especially during these times. Temperature checks, QR code scanning, plated meals, and rearranged eating areas are just some of the adjustments made by accommodations to ensure that travelers are assured of a safe environment during their stay.

Hassle-free travel

Do-it-yourself travels are currently not allowed in Bohol. This means that everything you plan to do while on the island should be pre-booked--from accommodations and transportation to tour arrangements. This makes sightseeing around the island hassle-free. This also makes it easier for the provincial government to implement systems to curb the virus’s spread while ensuring that tourists get to fully enjoy the island’s beauty.

Before planning a visit to Bohol, travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before their arrival, pre-booked accommodations at a DOT/LGU-accredited establishment, travel itinerary, and registration in the Province of Bohol website at tourism.bohol.gov.ph for the issuance of personal QR codes that will serve as electronic IDs.

Tourists coming from Metro Manila are encouraged to apply for the subsidized RT-PCR test at the UP-Philippine General or Philippine Children's Medical Center for as low as PHP900 and PHP750, respectively. To avail of the 50% discount from either of the two medical institutions, visit the Tourism Promotions Board website at www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel.

As of February 2, 2021, Bohol allows the use of saliva RT-PCR tests in place of nasal and throat swabs.

For up-to-date information on open destinations and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

For more information on traveling to Bohol, contact the Department of Tourism or visit philippines.travel/safetrip/bohol.