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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Garin tells DOT to step up as PH neighbor-countries ditch visa requirement for Chinese tourists 

Garin tells DOT to step up as PH neighbor-countries ditch visa requirement for Chinese tourists 

Published Feb 5, 2024 08:59 am

At A Glance

  • The Department of Tourism (DOT) must step up its game in wooing tourists amid the tightening competition in the region, House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin said. 

rj-baculo-aqw_zF25llY-unsplash.jpgBoracay, arguably the crown jewel of Philippine tourism (Unsplash)

The Department of Tourism (DOT) must step up its game in wooing tourists amid the tightening competition in the region, House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin said.

Garin made the call after Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia struck mutual agreements with the People's Republic of China to waive its visa requirement to visit their country, and vice versa.

"Kailangan mas paigtingin pa ng DOT at iba pang ahensya ang ating turismo lalo na't marami sa kalapit nating bansa ay nag-alis na ng visa requirement para sa mga Chinese national," the lady lawmaker noted.

(The DOT and other agencies need to improve our tourism especially since a lot of our neighboring countries have begun to remove visa requirement for Chinese nationals.)

"While we have a lot of tourist spots and our hospitality is one of a kind, it should be coupled with less bureaucracy and better facilitation," added Garin.

She highlighted that the Philippines also offers collateral services such as food, resort and souvenirs.

Garin said the DOT and related agencies must invest in readiness so as to ensure that their "strategies align with evolving traveler preferences".

She emphasized that a thriving travel and tourism sector will not only contribute to the prosperity of the national economy but also cultivate inclusive growth.

"Kapag lumago ang ekonomiya, tataas ang employment rate, tataas din ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino," she noted.

(If the economy grows, so too with the employment rate, as well as the Filipinos' quality of life.)

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Janette Garin Department of Tourism
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