LONDON, United Kingdom – Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco assured Filipinos and tourists alike that the Philippines’ top priority at the moment “is to welcome our friends and family back into the Philippines.” She met with some 60 representatives of the Filipino community during the Kapihan sa Pasuguan at the Philippine Embassy in London on 4th November. Ms Frasco was in the UK to attend the World Travel Market (WTM) London, the leading international tourism event for the travel industry.
Jointly organised by the Philippine Embassy in London and the Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT)-London, the Filipino community’s dialogue with Secretary Frasco came along the sidelines of the WTM where she led the Philippine delegation.
Among the key points raised during the forum were the Philippines’ entry requirements, the need for clean public toilets across the country, scams being committed against tourists and data privacy concerns.
Direct flight between London and Manila
Representatives from the academe, healthcare, events, real estate, travel and tours, among others attended the event. One of the questions they asked was the resumption of direct flights between Manila and London.
In response, Secretary Frasco said that the DOT is currently coordinating with airlines, including the Philippine Airlines (PAL), on the matter.
“What I can assure you is that the effort will continue,” she said, noting some of the positive outcomes of the DOT’s engagement with PAL, particularly its new direct flights between Bangkok and Cebu, and between Baguio and Cebu, starting in December.
Protecting tourists against scams
Another issue raised during the forum was the growing number of reports of scams being committed against tourists. Secretary Frasco acknowledged the problem as she gave an overview of the Tourist Assistance Call Center that the DOT will soon launch to assist tourists while they are traveling around the Philippines.
“We take these things very seriously. And that is why we will fully engage as well with the Department of Justice as far as ensuring the full prosecution to the fullest extent of the law of these individuals and groups that engage in scams against tourists, whether they are Filipinos or foreigners,” Ms Frasco assured.
Easing of entry requirements
As regards travellers’ difficulties in complying with requirements to enter the Philippines, Ms Frasco shared new government policies which are favourable to tourists. One of these is the replacement of One Health Pass (OHP) with a simpler and more convenient e-arrival card which will not be a prerequisite for travel.
Travellers can either fill in their e-arrival card before their departure or upon their arrival in the Philippines.
Another welcome change is the removal of pre-departure PCR tests for fully vaccinated inbound Filipino and foreign travellers. In addition, mask-wearing is now optional for indoor and outdoor settings in the Philippines.
“We’re currently working with the Department of Interior and Local Government for purposes of ensuring that any and all restrictions individually implemented by local government units nationwide are lifted so that we have a national policy as far as the entry of tourists is concerned. The national policy being, to welcome our friends and family back into the Philippines,” Secretary Frasco added.
Better security for tourists
On the aspect of maintaining tourist security, Ms Frasco shared the DOT’s commitment to continue and expand the Tourist Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of National Defense (DND).
“The primary effort of the government is to build confidence in our country. And that confidence is being built with firm foundations on ensuring programs that will convey a certain level of security for tourists that come into the Philippines.”
“We do this by conveying everything that is good and well about the Philippines. The warmth of the Filipino people, the talents of those who work within and outside of the Philippines, the products that we have to offer as well as the beauty of our destinations. It is a continuing effort. And there are measures that we are taking to ensure that both our citizens and our tourists feel that government is there to improve the present state of the Philippines,” she concluded.
Top photo credit: Ronald Sipat
