Korean-Speaking Agents join DOT's tourist hotline

Tweet

Beginning in February, tourists can access support from Korean-speaking agents through the Department of Tourism's (DOT) expanded Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC).

The DOT made the announcement on Saturday (Feb 1) on the expansion of the tourist hotline to provide Korean-speaking support, reflecting the Department's commitment to enhancing service for travelers from South Korea, the country’s largest source of inbound tourists.

Inquiring travelers can now receive direct assistance from a dedicated Korean-speaking agent available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time).

“As South Korea continues to be our top inbound market, this initiative ensures that Korean travelers can easily access assistance, allowing them to fully enjoy the warmth, hospitality, and attractions that make the Philippines a destination to love,” stated Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. “In alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a digitally empowered government, the DOT is dedicated to improving its platforms to deliver accessible, efficient, and world-class service to all tourists, both domestic and international.”

This enhancement aligns with the government's broader goal of digitizing public services, promoting a seamless, responsive, and tech-driven approach to tourist assistance.

The TACC has facilitated over 13,502 transactions as of January 30, 2025, servicing tourists from 71 different nationalities, with the Philippines, the United States, and Australia being the most represented. Common inquiries include general tourism questions, travel and tour services, DOT accreditation, and career opportunities.

A flagship program of the DOT under Secretary Frasco, the TACC was recognized as one of Asia’s premier customer support platforms, and was recently awarded "Best in Service – Customer Support (Regional Level)’ award at the prestigious Asia Best of Best Awards 2024 at Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai UAE.

In its ongoing commitment to tourist convenience and inclusivity, "the DOT is working to expand multilingual support services including Mandarin and other languages for a more diverse range of travelers. We understand the role of language accessibility in creating a smooth and enjoyable travel experience,” added Secretary Frasco.

In 2024, the Philippines welcomed 1,574,152 visitors from South Korea, representing an 8.1% increase from 1,455,977 arrivals in 2023. This figure also indicates a 2.5% growth compared to the 1,539,402 arrivals in 2019, demonstrating a complete recovery that has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. South Korea remains the Philippines’ largest source of foreign visitors, capturing over 26.46% of the total tourist arrivals.

For seamless and responsive assistance, tourists can contact the TACC through various platforms. The DOT emphasizes the updated mobile hotline at +63 954-253-3215, ensuring a more efficient communication channel for travelers. Additionally, landline users can reach the center via 151-TOUR (151-8687), while inquiries can also be sent via email at touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph. 

For real-time assistance, travelers may connect through Facebook Messenger at Department of Tourism – Philippines or utilize the Click2Call and Live Webchat services available on beta.tourism.gov.ph.

DOT’s Immersive Cube Experience Showcases the Philippines’ Tourist Spots Like an Artwork

Tweet

Like a visually appealing artwork, art enthusiasts and collectors marvel at the natural and man-made wonders of the Philippines through the “Immersive Cube Experience”— an innovative attraction that brought the country’s beauty to life in an art setting.

Inside the Department of Tourism’s Immersive Cube Experience, which shows the breathtaking views of rolling hills. Photo by the Department of Tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the Immersive Cube Experience during the ManilArt 2024, one of the country’s longest-running visual arts fairs, held at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City last October 9, 2024. This event bridged the world of tourism and art, attracting both art aficionados and curious onlookers.

The photo and video booth enabled visitors to witness the Philippines’s world-renowned tourist destinations through five LED screens seamlessly arranged to create a 3D-like environment. The cube’s interior featured three walls, a ceiling, and a floor— swathed in blue, reminiscent of the Philippines’ crystal-clear waters. The vibrant Love the Philippines campaign was prominently displayed setting the tone for the celebration of the country’s natural and cultural riches.

Inside the cube, visitors were transported to some of the country’s best tourist spots— from the breathtaking sardine run to picturesque waterfalls, mountains, limestone formations, and pristine beaches. The exhibit also showcased man-made attractions like historic lighthouses, interspersed with flashes of the Love the Philippines slogan, reinforcing the message of love and pride for our country.

As part of the experience, guests gamely interacted with the display by posing with Philippine flags and signages like #LoveTravel and #LovethePhilippines, while donning traditional Filipino hats. This lively and participatory involvement with the installation blended fun with cultural appreciation.

The DOT described the exhibit as “a three-dimensional installation designed to immerse visitors in the beauty of the Philippines through seamless video mapping and programming.” This innovative approach aimed to bring visitors closer to the award-winning destinations of the Philippines by giving them a fully immersive and visually captivating experience.

Participants including children enjoy their experience inside the Immersive Cube Experience, which features one of the Philippines' old lighthouses that served as a guide for ships in the olden times. Photo by the Department of Tourism

Wearing traditional Filipino hats and waving Philippine flags, visitors take a photo at the “Immersive Cube Experience” and take pride in the Philippines’ natural wonders. Photo by the Department of Tourism

DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisumbing (middle) was among the visitors who enjoyed the “Immersive Cube Experience” at ManilArt 2024. Photo by the Department of Tourism

(From left to right, first row) DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisumbing, DOT Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara cut the ribbon in the opening of ManilArt 2024, which also featured the DOT’s Immersive Cube Experience. Photo by the Department of Tourism

Leading the launch of the Immersive Cube Experience were DOT Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan and Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisumbing who graced the event to emphasize DOT’s commitment to promoting the country as a top tourist destination. The launch also coincided with ManilArt’s gala night further emphasizing the department’s support for cultural promotion.

Also in attendance were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, National Museum of the Philippines Director General Jeremy Barns, National Artist Virgilio Almario, and foreign dignitaries such as Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Thailand Ambassador Tull Traisorat, and Malaysia Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the ManilArt Foundation opened this year’s edition of the ManilArt as part of the annual tradition of celebrating Museums and Galleries Month every October. With over 260 artists and 34 exhibitors displaying their artworks, the art fair – which featured paintings and sculptures by renowned and emerging Filipino artists using different mediums – ran from October 9 to 13, 2024.

The art fair “once again demonstrated its importance as a platform for Philippine contemporary art,” according to the NCCA. “An intersection of creativity, tradition, and innovation, ManilART 2024 promises to continue offering a vibrant showcase of the country's artistic,” it added.

With the theme “Prisms & Mosaics,” ManilArt 2024 “emphasized the richness and diversity of Filipino contemporary art,” the NCCA also said. During the five-day art fair, ManilArt 2024 welcomed over 5,000 attendees and participants “who enjoyed the immersive cube as well,” according to the DOT.

By joining art fairs and other events, the DOT aims to introduce the Philippines as a premier tourist destination that hosts vibrant cultures and heritage, takes pride in its natural wonders, and proudly displays the many faces of the Filipino identity.

“The Philippines is a powerhouse of mega biodiversity, being only one of 18 mega biodiverse countries in the world, a deep well of culture and history, a profound burst and taste of flavor and gastronomy, a tapestry of indigenous peoples and creative communities by whose work of their hands have safeguarded the dignity and integrity of the Filipino identity,” declared DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco during the launch of the “Love the Philippines” campaign in June 2023.

“These complexities and nuances of the Philippines have yet to be fully articulated to the world for indeed, the story of the Filipino has yet to be fully told, and we shall tell that story by telling them the story of love,” she added.

Philippines triumphs at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024, secures over PHP 400 million in sales leads

Tweet

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2024 concluded on a high note for the Philippines, yielding over 400 million Philippine pesos in negotiated sales leads during its three-day business-to-business sessions from January 24 to 26, 2024 in Vientiane, Laos.

The Philippine delegation, led by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, was represented by 15 local exhibitors from the airline industry, hotels and resorts, tour operators/ destination management companies, and convention center to network and engage with 79 international buyers.

The Philippine delegation at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024

“The impressive turnout of the Philippine delegation at the business-to-business sessions exceeded our expectations and reflects the strong interest in the Philippines’ diverse tourism offerings. The fruitful interactions between our local stakeholders and international buyers have strengthened existing partnerships and paved the way for new collaborations. We look forward to bearing its remarkable fruits this year,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

The Philippine pavilion showcased the country’s award-winning destinations including Intramuros, Palawan, and Cebu alongside a captivating display of the T’boli people’s rich cultural heritage through traditional patterns from the t’nalak weave. Booth visitors also enjoyed a cup of Antipolo, Rizal’s famed Kaulayaw Coffee.

TPB and DOT also hosted a special function at the Grand Ballroom of Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel to introduce Philippine cuisine and culture to the global stage, and to announce the country's hosting of the 36th Joint Meeting of the United Nations (UN) Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific & the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA) and 1st UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in Cebu in June.

Philippine-hosted late-night function

The event brought together delegates from different National Tourism Organizations, Philippine tourism stakeholders, international buyers, and media for a taste of curated flavors of Filipino cuisine by Chef Don Baldosano of Linamnam restaurant and to enjoy a variety of cultural performances by homegrown talents.

Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc., the Philippines’ oldest distillery, proudly sponsored the late-night function, delighting attendees with a selection of signature beverages such as Paradise Mango Rum, Manille Liqueur De Dalandan, Manille Liqueur De Calamansi, Intramuros Liqueur De Cacao, and Amadeo Coffee Liqueur.

Meanwhile, the Philippines earned distinction at the ASEAN Tourism Awards, a prestigious recognition program that honors excellence in tourism businesses and destinations within the ASEAN region.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco acknowledged the winners during the Philippine-hosted function, noting that they have championed not just the Department’s set of standards for the local tourism industry but the whole region as well, “I extend my congratulations to all the winners of the ASEAN Tourism Awards, and I extend, especially my heartfelt congratulations, to my fellow Filipinos—our Filipino tourism establishments—who managed to clinch these most prestigious awards this evening. Truly, you are the pride of the Philippines.”

Palawan-based property Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort was named lead partner for “Enchanting Gastronomical Sabang Delights, Beach Forest and Caves" under the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards.

Awardees for ASEAN Clean Tourist City include the cities of Baguio in Benguet, Ilagan in Isabela, and Tabuk in Kalinga.

Prime properties Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Club Paradise Palawan, Bohol Beach Club, Seda Nuvali, and The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay were recognized as among the best in the ASEAN Green Hotel Award.

The ASEAN Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) Venue Awards also recognized 15 Philippine venues for their high-quality facilities and outstanding performance. The awards were divided into three categories: meeting room, exhibition hall venue, and event venue category.

Bai Hotel Cebu, Clark Marriott Hotel, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa, and Seda Hotel Nuvali won the ASEAN MICE Venue Award for the meeting room category.

World Trade Center Metro Manila (Manila Exposition Complex), SMX Convention Center Manila, Cordillera Convention Hall by Baguio Country Club, Isabela Convention Center (ICON), and Iloilo Convention Center bagged the ASEAN MICE Venue Award for the exhibition hall category.

Rounding up the list of awardees for the ASEAN Mice Venue Award for the event venue category were Palacio del Sur by Marcian Group, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Cebu, Infinity Garden by Baguio Country Club, CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, and Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa by Modern Asia, Inc.

The TPB and DOT are poised to leverage the momentum gained from this event to elevate the Philippines’ position as a premier tourist destination in the ASEAN region.

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

Tweet

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/

DOT's 50th Anniversary celebration highlights “Love the Philippines”, PH's new tourism slogan

Tweet

DOT’s enhanced branding is Philippines’ Love Letter to the world

On the celebration of the golden year of the Department of Tourism (DOT), President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., together with Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and other officials, led the unveiling of the country’s enhanced tourism campaign “Love the Philippines” as the highlight of the Department’s 50th founding year celebration at the iconic Manila Hotel, Tuesday (June 27)

Proudly presenting “Love the Philippines” to a crowd composed of former DOT chiefs, officials and employees of the Department's central and regional offices, heads of government agencies including Cabinet Secretaries, house representatives, tourism stakeholders, and the media, Secretary Frasco described the enhanced campaign as timely for the DOT’s golden anniversary celebration.

“As we cap the last fifty years of the DOT and welcome this new era of tourism for the Philippines, it is but right that we welcome this opportunity to reintroduce the Philippines to the world,” Secretary Frasco said.

“Love the Philippines goes to the very heart of every single Filipino with the distinct grace and hospitality with which we welcome every guest that comes into our shores, our communities, and our homes. Love the Philippines is a recognition of our natural assets, our long and storied history, our rich culture and diversity,” she said, while noting that there is so much more to the country than “the fun and adventure” that has so far been articulated.

“The Philippines is a powerhouse of mega biodiversity, being only one of 18 mega biodiverse countries in the world, a deep well of culture and history, a profound burst and taste of flavor and gastronomy, a tapestry of indigenous peoples and creative communities by whose work of their hands have safeguarded the dignity and integrity of the Filipino identity. This is who we are. These complexities and nuances of the Philippines have yet to be fully articulated to the world for indeed, the story of the Filipino has yet to be fully told, and we shall tell that story by telling them the story of love. Love the Philippines,” Secretary Frasco said.

PBBM’s unequivocal support

Gracing the milestone event for Philippine tourism, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed his utmost support for "Love the Philippines", saying that the enhanced tourism campaign “springs from the genuine love that you, me, and all of us have for the Philippines.”

“And what better way to express that love than by directly incorporating it into our country’s newest tourism campaign slogan, Love the Philippines. This new branding which we unveil today, will serve as our guidepost for the Philippine tourism industry moving forward. Allow me then to express my sincerest appreciation to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and for the DOT team, because aside from the promotion of the country’s tourist destinations, the campaign that you have conceptualized aims to enhance the overall experience of every travel, included in that list of targets are to promote regional products, build more infrastructure for ease of travel, and champion green movements, among others,” the President enthused.

Adjusting to the post-pandemic tourism landscape and changing trends

With the everchanging global tourism landscape post pandemic, and the growing desire of travelers for more immersive experiences in their travels, the DOT viewed the enhanced brand as a timely response to the demands of the industry.

In a recent survey conducted by the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) among its member countries, market repositioning and rebranding strategies is among the priorities identified after the pandemic based on its Survey Findings on Member Priorities for UNWTO program of work 2024-2025.

With an enhanced tourism campaign in tow, the DOT’s focus now is to show more of what there is to “Love the Philippines” as it works towards the realization of President Marcos, Jr.’s vision for the country to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia.

“Indeed, if we are to compete with our neighbors in our effort as well to partner with them for Asia to become a powerhouse tourism region in the world, the time has come for us to add to the value proposition of the Philippines by telling the world how much more we have to offer,” Secretary Frasco said.

“We have multiple facets of tourism destinations that present a golden opportunity for we have only scratched the surface thus far,” she added.

Rosy prospects for Philippine tourism

According to Secretary Frasco, the world has “the world has noticed that there is so much to love about the Philippines.”

This, as the Philippines has recorded 2,641,993 visitors from January 1 to June 26, 2023, and is close to breaching the 2.65 million arrivals it recorded for 2022.

Further, the tourism sector is regarded as a stalwart as far as contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) is concerned. According to the 2022 Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) for 2022, the Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) share of the sector to the Philippine economy, as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), was estimated at 6.2 percent and amounted to PHP 1.38 trillion in 2022.

The Philippines is also seeing a boost in tourism-related enterprise employment, with 5.35 million estimated tourism employment last year.

As she rallied their support for the DOT’s vision of showcasing the best of the Philippines to the world under the Marcos administration, the Secretary said: “As we usher in this golden era for tourism, for our fellow Filipinos, for our beautiful country, let us find it in our hearts to have that burning pride of place for the Philippines, to Love the Philippines, to usher us into the continued recovery and vigorous comeback of the Philippines to the world.”

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

Tweet

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.

The PAL Hiraya Travel Pass: An Industry First

Tweet

Here is how Philippine Airlines’ Hiraya Flight Pass can make your dream travel and family vacations possible.

When was the last time you flew to your favorite local island destination?

With travel restrictions gradually easing up, domestic tourism is steadily making a comeback.

Philippine Airlines has launched a new smart tool to give passengers the best deals for their travels - the PAL Hiraya Flight Pass, the first and only Customizable and Shareable flight travel pass in the domestic travel industry.

As vaccination ramps up and as safety protocols are strengthened, domestic travel is expected to lead the way in reviving Philippine tourism.

The Inter-Agency Task Force has recently allowed point-to-point interzonal travel from the National Capital Region to areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and/or Modified GCQ for individuals below 18 years of age; fully vaccinated individuals over 65 years of age; fully vaccinated individuals with health risks; and fully vaccinated pregnant women. Additionally, individuals ages 18 to 65, regardless of vaccination status, continue to be allowed to travel.

Destinations like Boracay, Siargao, Bohol, and Palawan are just some of the island destinations that are welcoming domestic travelers who are longing to revisit or experience for the first time their majestic beaches, unique culture, gastronomic offerings and more. Just bear in mind to check the latest travel requirements and safety protocols that must be followed for fun and safe travels.

As you plan for your upcoming trips, Philippine Airlines offers a new smart tool to get the best deals for your travels -- the PAL Hiraya Flight Pass, the first and only Customizable and Shareable flight travel pass in the domestic travel industry.

Through Hiraya Flight Pass, you can conveniently pre-purchase flights with open travel dates within one year to the Widest Local Destinations for one or multiple passengers.Passengers can create a personalized flight pass that best suits their needs and wants. You can customize the pass according to your desired number of flights, destinations, travel period, cabin class, travel date restrictions, fare type, booking class availability, and passengers who can book and fly. The price of the Flight Pass depends on the pass features selected by the passengers.

Through Hiraya Flight Pass, passengers can conveniently pre-purchase flights with open travel dates within one year to the Widest Local Destinations for one or multiple passengers.

Aside from the convenience and flexibility of booking flights, Hiraya Flight Pass allows you to get Bigger Savings up to 50% savings on flight costs. Passengers may pre-purchase flights for multiple destinations at a pre-set low price. Since low fares are locked in, you need not worry about fare increases. The more flights bought, the more affordable it gets.

Additionally, the Hiraya Flight Pass can be shared with family members, friends or work colleagues. At the time of purchase, there is no need to specifically input the names of your companions. You can add the names of people you want to share the pass with at a later time.

As you make plans to revisit your dream destination with your friends and family, experience the ease, convenience and flexibility the new Hiraya Flight Pass provides.

Before you fly, please make sure to check out the travel requirements of your chosen destination.

The Hiraya Flight Pass allows passengers to create a personalized flight pass that best suits their needs and wants. They can customize it based on their desired number of flights, destinations, travel period, cabin class, travel date restrictions, fare type, and booking class availability.

Visit https://hirayaflightpass.philippineairlines.com for more information about Hiraya Flight Pass.

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

Tweet

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

Tweet

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.

DOT Taps Pinoys to be ‘Ambassadors of Fun’

Tweet

Coinciding with the recent launch of the More Fun Awaits Campaign, the Department of Tourism (DOT) calls on Filipinos to be “Ambassadors of Fun” and promote their hometown’s tourist attractions using various social media platforms.

 Mt. Pulag, Benguet. Photo by Rio Lind (@heyitsmakee)

This is part of the DOT’s crowdsourcing campaign wherein netizens will become tour guides of their locale by posting their own virtual tours or sharing their own photos on their recommended destination, activity, or dishes.

The campaign aims to build interest on local destinations by assigning a weekly theme, such as must-visit destination, must-try activity, or must-sample cuisine, which will be the basis for the posts. It will tap both ordinary netizens and local content creators as ambassadors of fun.

Coron, Palawan. Photo by Ryan Ramal (@layag.palawan)

For netizens, they can choose a platform—Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—where they will post a photo or video of the destination/cuisine/activities in their area that they think should be experienced by tourists. The post should include the hashtags #MoreFunAwaits and #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines and must tag the official DOT social media pages.

Selected posts will be featured on DOT’s social media pages or used as part of promotional campaigns for international tourists.

 Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Photo by Sab (@sabrinuuuuuh)

The DOT has also collaborated with local content creators from different regions to share what’s new in their respective locales, such as the changes since the pre-pandemic period, new places or dishes they have discovered, and customs and traditions that continue to flourish or had been given a new twist to adapt to the new normal.

With more ambassadors of fun, the DOT sees the collaborative campaign as an effective way to show tourists, both local and foreign, what More Fun Awaits on their next trips to the different destinations in the country.

For more information about the More Fun Awaits campaign, and travel updates and advisories about the Philippines, visit www.morefunawaits.com.

DOT and TikTok launch #GandaMoPinas Campaign as local borders reopen

Tweet

The Department of Tourism has partnered with video-sharing social media app TikTok for the

#GandaMoPinas campaign, which will feature live video sessions with content creators

from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Photo from the Department of Tourism

With the easing of restrictions for leisure travel, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and video-making and sharing app TikTok have collaborated once again for a campaign that celebrates the beauty of the country’s islands through #GandaMoPinas.

“The DOT is using all channels to promote our reopened tourist destinations and this collaboration with TikTok is one way of enticing people to travel locally while reiterating the importance of following the minimum health and safety protocols when traveling,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

The joint DOT and TikTok campaign will feature the beauty of the Philippines through live video sessions with nine content creators from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The campaign will feature one content creator every day, from September 22 to 30, in a live TikTok session that highlights the beauty of his/her region or province through various tourism products like natural landscapes, tourist spots, local cuisine, activities, and local products. The content creators will showcase why #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines and how visitors can appreciate #GandaMoPinas through their province or region.

The following are the nine content creators and their schedule of Live TikTok sessions that will be streamed via their respective TikTok accounts:

 

LUZON

September 23 (Thursday) - Phoennella Tabamo (@phoennellapipay)

September 24 (Friday) - Maika Rivera (@riveramaika)      

September 30 (Thursday) - Queenee Pearl Mercado (@queeneemercado)                     

VISAYAS

September 25 (Saturday) - Bo Labra (@bo.labra)

September 26 (Sunday) - Christine Cuenco (@christinecuenco)   

September 27 (Monday) - Lynnell Jasper Lomosad (@chockieaviation)

MINDANAO

 

September 22 (Wednesday) - Sweet Manrique (@sweetmnrique)

September 28 (Tuesday) - Jazreel Villapaz (@jazvil.md)

September 29 (Wednesday) - JS Espejon Sanchez (@aja_js_sanchez)

 

The three content creators with the highest number of views during the live show will be recognized as TikTok Funfluencers—one from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Winners will be officially announced on October 4, 2021.

DOT’s previous collaboration with TikTok, the #SarapMagingPinoy challenge in-app garnered over 700 video entries with over 70M video views, and its main video on Facebook has garnered over 13M views.

For more updates on the campaign, please follow the DOT’s official TikTok page @TourismPhilippines and visit: https://bit.ly/3nzwqnj.