The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have signed an agreement to develop an upgraded web-based and mobile application to improve the collection of regional tourist arrival statistics nationwide.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. signed the agreement on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in Intramuros, Manila.
Under the agreement, the DOT and DOST will create the Tourism Live-Inventory and Statistics of Tourist Arrivals (TourLISTA) 2.0 application.
The TourLISTA is a web-based tool for analyzing and assessing tourist arrivals that was previously piloted by the DOT-Mimaropa.
Frasco highlighted the crucial role of technology in modernizing the tourism industry.
“We manifest our joint commitment to innovation in the democratization of tourism. The introduction of technology is no longer just an option but rather an absolute necessity,” she said.
For his part, Solidum said the signing represents the government's dedication to sustainability.
He also introduced DOST-developed "halal modules," which aim to boost the DOT's upskilling programs for Filipino tourism workers.