Digital support to boost domestic tourism
Palawan is set to resume tourism activities in three towns, with safety and health protocols in place
Public officials and health experts generally advice Filipinos to stay at home as defense against COVID-19.
But tourism officials recently developed a variant of that advice as they work to revive domestic travel gradually amid the pandemic: Travel at home.
The tourism and technology industries recently put their heads together in an online forum to provide insights and draw guidelines for safe and sustainable tourism in the new normal.
A recent study shows that Filipino travelers look at destinations closer to home amid health concerns, spurring domestic tourism to lead the recovery of the industry in the process.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said although the country is still dealing with the health crisis, “there has never been a better time to push for developing more inclusive technology to help tourism stakeholders manage disasters.”
Al Panlilio, president and CEO of Smart Communications Inc., said the telco is one with the tourism industry in finding ways “to gradually and safely revive the confidence and excitement of Filipinos to travel and discover the beauty of the Philippines.”
Tourism is a major source of livelihood, so helping the industry recover from the impact of COVID-19 will benefit many Filipinos, he said.
“Adaptability means change, as in shifting to digital tools. At the same time, have empathy. Understand your customers and design tools and activities that will address their concerns,” another official said.
The forum billed #TravelSmart:
Safe and Sustainable Tourism in the New Normal, was organized by Smart, the Department of Tourism (DoT), InnoPub Media, Grassroots Travel NGO, Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association and Paymaya Philippines.
Speakers shared their experience with community-backed sustainable tourism and explained how digital technology can be an essential tool in promoting local tourism even during the pandemic.
The forum comes as the DoT celebrates the citation of Palawan as Best Island in the World, for the fourth time, by the renowned Travel + Leisure magazine. Boracay ranked 14th in the world and fifth in Asia.
Palawan is set to resume tourism activities in three towns, with safety and health protocols in place. These are Coron, San Vicente and El Nido, home to Hidden Beach, named one of the 30 Best Beaches in the World by Conde Nast Traveler.
A recent study shows that Filipino travelers look at destinations closer to home amid health concerns, spurring domestic tourism to lead the recovery of the industry in the process.
Pinoy travelers also prefer online booking, digital payments and selfservice processes such as contactless check-in, according to the study, conducted jointly by the DoT, Asian Institute of Management Dr. Andrew Tan Center for Tourism and Guide
to the Philippines.