Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is hopeful that the country would reopen to foreign visitors this year, especially those who have already been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Although there is still no clear timeline, Puyat said the tourism department aims to welcome foreign arrivals this 2021 following the government's approval to allow entry to visiting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) this month despite the threat of the COVID United Kingdom (UK) variant.

"It is hard to give a timeline but protocols are always changing. We are hoping by this year, especially with those vaccinated, we will be able to open up to other countries and not only confined to balikbayans," Puyat said in a press briefing.

While the government's pandemic task force is yet to decide when to allow foreign travelers back in the country, the DOT boss said the proposal to place the entire country under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) will further boost domestic tourism.

MGCQ is the most relaxed quarantine status that the government can impose to address the spread of COVID-19.

"Under MGCQ, tourism is already allowed. We are grateful that some tourism sites and establishments have been allowed to operate under GCQ but at least in MGCQ, it is freer -- tourism can just be opened for everybody," Puyat explained.

The tourism chief also emphasized the need to restart tourism, taking into consideration thousands of workers in the industry who have lost their jobs due to travel restrictions.

With the benefits of the health and safety protocols plus the lessons learned from the almost year-long lockdown, Puyat said it is now easier for the sector to resume its operations for tourists.

The year 2020 has been dubbed the "worst year in tourism history," with the United World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reporting a massive 72 percent decline in international tourist arrivals between January and October last year.

The figure represents one billion less tourists arrivals.