Travel agencies recorded a low number of inquiries and bookings on the first day of the resumption of non-essential outbound travel Wednesday (Oct. 21).
“Merong iilan ilan na mga travel agencies na members ng asosasyon natin na nag sabi na may natatanggap silang mga ilan ilang na inquiries at kokonting nag bobook. Pero di pa rin ganoon karami ang agad agarang nag bobook (Some of travel agency memebrs of the association said they were able to get some inquiries and very few bookings. There were very few who booked a trip right away),” Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) President Ritchie Tuano told DZMM Teleradyo Thursday.
Tuano said among the reasons why there is a low turnout of travelers is due to fear of COVID-19.
“Meron pa ring mga agam agam o pag iingat na ginagawa ang mga travelers. Di pa sila nakaka sigurado kung talagang ligtas na ba mag bakasyon, byumahe (Travelers still have worries, they’re still trying to be careful because they don’t feel assured yet that it is really safe to go on a vacation or travel),” Tuano told DZMM Teleradyo on Thursday.
The PTAA president said people are not as inclined to travel because there are more requirements now — like getting tested for COVID-19 — which also means an additional expense on the travelers' part.
Tuano meanwhile assured the public that travel agencies are in close coordination with different local government units so that they could properly inform travelers of the requirements in their respective points of destination.