The Philippines has the least restrictions on travel and tourism in Asia but still has a long way to get back the number of tourist arrivals to pre-pandemic levels.
In a television interview, Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat of the Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed hope for the entry of unvaccinated individuals and allow for the setting up of travel bubbles with countries that have similar restrictions as the Philippines’.
Puyat said restrictions imposed by the countries of origin of foreign tourists deter travel.
Puyat cited Korea, the country’s main market, requires returning citizens to undergo 7-day home quarantine.
The Philippines opened its borders to fully-vaccinated foreign tourists from 157 visa-free countries on February 10 with a negative RT-PCR test as a requirement.
Puyat said rival countries like Thailand still requires test upon arrival while Hong Kong imposes a 21-day quarantine.
She said since the waiving of quarantines for vaccinated inbound travelers on February 1, DOT registered 31,986 arrivals, 45 percent of which are balikbayans.
In comparison, arrivals from Korea alone in February 2020 hit 115,443.
In 2019, the Philippines welcomes 8.26 million foreign tourists and recorded 110 million domestic trips.
Puyat said the downgrade to Alert Level 1 of key destinations will further boost travel. The use of Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage travel management system is not required for interzonal travel to areas under the same alert level.
Traveling between places under Alert Level 1 status, such as Baguio, Boracay, Ilocos Region, Aurora, Batanes, Laguna, Puerto Princesa City, Bacolod, Guimaras, Camiguin, and Davao City, is now easier and more convenient.
Health declaration forms will no longer be required for all agencies and establishments, vaccinated individuals 18 years old and above are still required to present proof of full vaccination before entry in public gatherings. The same rules apply in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments, such as venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters; indoor ancillary establishments in hotels and other accommodation establishments; and venues for election-related events.
Puyat said that the existing guidelines imposed by local government units with jurisdiction over tourist destinations should be adhered to help in the full restoration of the heavily impacted tourism sector. – Irma Isip
