DOT Promotes PH Tourism in JATA Online Forum
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and her top officials pitched the country’s policy for sustainable tourism development and response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic before the Japanese travel market at the launch of the month-long 2nd Online Travel Mart of the Japan Association of Travel Agents Association (JATA).
Boracay
Puyat led the country presentation and was one of the panelists of the International Tourism Forum (ITF) which also included heavyweights of the Japan travel industry such as Board of Guam Tourist Bureau Chairman Milton Morinaga and Japan Travel Bureau President and CEO Eijiro Yamakita.
The panelists also highlighted their respective policies on the Osaka event’s theme: “How to create a better tourism value chain” and environment for the consumers as well as for the travel business.
Puyat shared the DOT’s tourism programs, the Tourism Response and Recovery Plan (TRRP) and the reformulated National Tourism Development Plan for 2020-2022.
She said the pandemic gave rise to the opportunity for then tourism industry to recalibrate to be more responsible, accountable, inclusive, and sustainable. She also touted the Filipino brand of service, saying we are committed to welcoming guests with a smile and offering our best products and services.
DOT officials backed Puyat’s comments with the Philippine country presentation, a two-and-a-half-hour webinar exclusively viewed by JATA member agents. In her keynote speech, Puyat confirmed the Philippines’ commitment to observe international health and safety standards recognized by international tourism bodies and to pursue upgrading of existing tourism products. Before the pandemic, Japan was the fourth biggest tourism market for the Philippines.
Maria Anthonette Velasco Allones, chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board, launched the “More Fun Awaits” campaign, communicating the exciting destinations and stories the DOT has prepared for travelers. Assistant Secretary Christopher Morales delivered an update on the choice destinations of the Japanese travelers, spotlighting nature tourism, marine tourism, adventure tourism and sun and beach tourism.
Coron
This was complemented by a presentation on the DOT’s initiatives to recalibrate domestic tourism products for the international market. Guiller Asido, chairperson of the Task Force on Domestic Tourism Product and Market Development and concurrent administrator of the Intramuros Administration, presented the domestic tourism circuits and DOT’s goal for the development of high value, low density and low impact travel products. Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso introduced community-based food tourism products and experiences across the country.
Hiroki Iwai, sales manager of Chroma Hospitality representing the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, covered the topic on initiatives of the accommodation sector to ensure the safety of travelers. Marisa Nallana of the Philippine Association of Convention Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers Inc. (PACEOS) introduced the TPB’s Incentive programs for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry while briefly updating viewers on the developments in the MICE sector.
Puyat also called on the JATA executives to seek cooperation and active participation in the DOT Team Japan projects. She also updated the virtual audience on the Boracay rehabilitation programs. JATA conferred on Puyat the Excellent Partner Award for DOT’s role in the rehabilitation of the island on the occasion of JATA Tourism Expo Japan 2019.
The 2nd JATA Online Travel Mart runs from Oct 17 to Nov 30.
Source: Department of Tourism
