The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched its latest campaign that aims to strengthen the Philippines' position as a popular tourist destination in the global market once international leisure travel resumes.
Dubbed as "More Fun Awaits," the campaign highlights the Department's efforts to adapt to the new normal setting in the tourism industry amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The new caimpaign will showcase safe and exciting destinations to visit in the country, as well as new tourism products and circuits developed by the DOT with private sector tourism stakeholders and local government units (LGUs) based on travelers' preferences in the new normal, said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Friday, September 17.
As most tourists now preferred outdoor activities, Puyat said the campaign will put a spotlight on bike tours, dive circuits, farm and food tourism circuits, hiking and trekking, and outdoor museums through historical and cultural tours aside from beach destinations, she added.
"The More Fun Awaits campaign will sustain the presence of the Philippines as a tourist destination amidst the pandemic, while getting foreign travelers excited for what’s in-store for them once borders for tourism reopen," the Secretary said.
"We are optimistic that the More Fun Awaits campaign, and all our efforts since the pandemic started, will be sustained as the tourism industry recovers under safe conditions," she added.
For the campaign, the DOT launched a new website that contains videos of breathtaking sceneries around the country, travel articles, and infographics to entice foreign tourists to consider the Philippines as their next travel destination in Asia once restrictions have been lifted.
According to Puyat, the campaign will also help boost the anticipation of the Philippines’ hosting of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit where the DOT can share its preparations on health and safety, environmental sustainability, and local community engagement in local tourist destinations.
"Through the More Fun Awaits campaign, we want to communicate that the Philippines prioritizes the safety and well-being of visitors, as many of our tourism establishments are compliant with global safety standards, and a large percentage of our tourism workers are already vaccinated," Puyat said.
As of September 14, the Department has awarded a WTTC Safe Travel Stamp to three local tourism destinations namely Baguio City, Boracay Island, and Ilocos Norte, and to 200 DOT-accredited accommodation establishments nationwide.
The WTTC Safe Travel Stamp is the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp for travelers to recognize governments and businesses that have adopted global health standardized protocols.