By Myris Lee
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the country’s tourism is gradually returning to normal with increasing tourist arrivals since it opened its borders to foreign nationals.
During the April 26 Laging Handa briefing, she said the country has received around 313,050 international arrivals since February this year, mostly from the United States (US), Canada, and South Korea.
The DOT welcomed the improvement since the pandemic hit the country, even though the current number of international arrivals is still far from the 8.26-million tourist count last 2019.
“From February 10 to April 25, na-surpass na natin ‘yung 300,000 mark. We received about 313,050 international arrivals. Number one ay galing sa U.S, number two sa Canada, at ngayon ay number three na ang Korea,” she said.
“Sa pre-pandemic level, with regards sa international tourist arrivals, medyo malayo pa. Kasi noong 2019, we received about 8.26 million tourists. Pero masaya tayo at least we already received 313,050 arrivals,” she added.
The tourism secretary then reminded tourists to adhere to health and safety protocols when they are in the country, and for tourist establishments not to violate protocols.
“We are very strict na dapat sumusunod sa health and safety guidelines na ginawa ng DOT together with DOH [Department of Health]. In fact we have the WTTC [World Travel and Tourism Council] safe travel stamp, ibig sabihin ang ating standards ay world standards,” Puyat said.
“Ang maganda ngayon sa social media, ‘pag may lumalabag agad natin nakikita at na-check. If lumabag, we give a show cause order, at kung umulit pinapasara natin,” she added. – ag
