Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was named as one of "Asia's Most Influential" by luxury media firm Tatler for making indelible impacts in the tourism industry amid the pandemic.

Puyat was included in Tatler Asia's flagship list which features the most influential individuals in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines "who shape the region through their positive impact."

Tatler described Puyat as a "beacon of safe and sustainable tourism despite the pandemic" for her efforts to revive the industry.

"Berna Romulo Puyat had successfully led a campaign that made domestic travel one of the most exciting experiences in the country," Tatler said.

"Through the pandemic, she has worked closely with local government units to devise recovery plans. Baguio, particularly, has already opened up to tourism for fully vaccinated individuals and efforts in Bohol to establish a COVID-19 clinic have been underway to contain outbreaks in the tourist spot," it added.

Meanwhile, Puyat celebrated her inclusion in the list.

"Honored to be part of this list. I’ve always believed that tourism in the Philippines was an easy sell, and it still is, given the right circumstances," the DOT chief said in her Facebook post.

"With half a year left in this position, I’m determined to see the industry's full recovery and pivot towards sustainable tourism; all of which would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of our partners involved," she added.