The Department of Tourism (DOT) has vowed to innovate ways in reviving the industry in the new normal and support local stakeholders through its tourism recovery plan.
Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the department recognized the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the country's travel and tourism sector which took the blow of the mandatory quarantine measures implemented since last year.
"We, at the DOT, try to look at this reset in a positive life and turn it to an opportunity to restart Philippine tourism and advance it to a more resilient, more sustainable industry," Bengzon said in a virtual press briefing.
"The DOT along with the national tourism organizations worldwide continues on its pursuit to develop and innovate ways to assist our stakeholders as we face the new normal," he added.
Bengzon emphasized the Department's Tourism Response and Recovery Plan (TRRP), a roadmap crafted by the DOT and private tourism stakeholders represented by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines which aims to serve as "a guide for the recovery of tourism in the Philippines."
Before the TRRP was finalized, Bengzon said series of consultations were held with the private sector, local government units, and other national government agencies from March to June last year.
These meetings helped in identifying and laying out priority programs, activities, and plans to support the Philippine tourism industry, particularly for those in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"The program identifies the substantial and timely measures moving forward with emphasis on sustained business operations, appropriate infrastructure policy, enhanced marketing and market and product development and formulation guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our stakeholders," he said.
Since last year, Bengzon shared that the DOT has made innovations that are targeted to maintaining a market presence, COVID-proofing the industry, as well as creating a brand new consciousness awareness.
"At the long term perspective, we will focus on campaigns that will encourage retention of responsible tourism practices and behaviour. We also aim collaboration with other countries and international organizations in leveraging our existing resources to create more awareness about sustainable tourism," he added.
The tourism official also bared the priority programs under the TRRP which includes ensuring business survival and providing a "lifeline" to stakeholders through building more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism, physical and infrastructure support to destinations.
Bengzon emphasized that the department has also been doing capacity building programs and have also conducted hundreds of webinars over the last several months to support the local tourism businesses.
"The tourism industry is a cross cutting, cross border industry and we firmly believe that this puts the industry in the best position to lead recovery in the future," Bengzon said.
"This is however a shared challenge that must be met with shared responsibility. And as we prepare for the reopening of the industry, we also look forward to the cooperation and support of everyone," he added.
The UNWTO earlier reported a sharp decline of 72 percent or at least one billion fewer international tourist arrivals from January to October 2020 -- calling it the "worst year in tourism history."
The organization attributed the decrease to many factors such as travel restrictions, low consumer confidence, and the still on-going fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
In the Philippines alone, foreign tourist arrivals fell to P82.24 billion in 2020, plunging 83 percent from P482.16 billion recorded in 2019.