MANILA, Philippines,
Sept. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the
world waits for international travel borders to reopen,
the Philippines is preparing a
warm welcome for tourists. The Philippines Department of Tourism
(DOT) has been continuously developing its destinations for local
and international travellers. This September, it launched its 'More
Fun Awaits' campaign with new tourism products and packages to try,
each offering their own unique experiences.
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The Philippines will be ready
for the world when it reopens with new attractions and more.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette
Romulo-Puyat says, "Our preparations for travellers include
newly-developed circuits with new exciting activities,
destinations, and tourist attractions that have been developed in
our regions. Our tourism workers are also being trained in enhanced
health and hygiene protocols and tourism establishments have also
implemented safeguards in their premises to protect their guests
and employees."
As of the first week of September, 51 percent of tourism workers
in the around country have been vaccinated. In the nation's
bustling capital of Metro Manila, 99% of tourism workers in
DOT-accredited hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as
94% of tourism workers in accredited restaurants have had their
anti-COVID jabs.
A new world-class airport awaits
The new terminal of the Clark International Airport has also
been recently inaugurated in Pampanga. This marvel of modern
Filipino architecture, which is inspired by the slopes of Mt.
Arayat and the Filipino Christmas lantern, will offer fast, safe,
and efficient air travel services such as contactless self-check-in
and bag drop, advanced docking guidance system, and even
contactless ordering for pre-flight dining. As the "gateway to the
North", it will help boost tourism recovery by expanding
connectivity to various local destinations.
The DOT has been awarded a SafeTravels Stamp by the World Travel
and Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of its adoption of
"health and hygiene global standardized protocols" that will ensure
safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. SafeTravels is the stamp
of approval given by the international organization to certify
compliance with its global health standards to allow for safe
travels.
Eligible companies such as hotels, airlines, restaurants, tour
operators, attractions, transportation and airports will use the
stamp as a guarantee that they conform to health and safety
protocols required by the WTTC, an international organization
representing leaders of the global travel and tourism industry.
As such, the Department has also intensified the accreditation
of establishments, continuing thorough inspection and assessment,
to ensure that only those accredited with the Department of
Tourism, are allowed to open and receive guests if they adhere to
health, safety and hygiene global standardized protocols.
The Philippine government through its Inter-Agency Task Force
for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is
constantly updating its protocols to safeguard Filipinos and
foreign nationals who are traveling to the Philippines.
Fun and Exciting Adventures lie ahead
While international travel to the
Philippines is still restricted, domestic travel has resumed
since the second half of last year. With wide open spaces available
for myriads of adventures and intensive training for members of the
hospitality industry, the
Philippines is geared towards offering a safe and fun
experience for travellers. Tourists can enjoy a variety of
escapades from the North to the South, now more accessible with new
and improved infrastructures, such as regional airports and
roadways linking the beautiful islands and their unique
experiences.
The Philippines has a variety
of destinations that offer a distinct set of activities and tourism
circuits that travellers can choose to experience and enjoy. The
beautiful beaches lead to an underwater paradise, teeming with
colors from a diverse marine life. On land, the mountain ranges
beckon to explorers with lush forests and trails that lead to
breathtaking waterfalls and rapids. All of these can be experienced
with a hearty serving of local cuisines from hosts, home cooks, and
chefs, who will be the first to ask the quintessential Filipino
greeting, "Have you eaten?"
Get ready to fill that travel bucket list with these
destinations that await your next visit to the tropical
paradise:
Get an adrenaline rush: Central Visayas is perfect for
adventures, with its beautiful combination of mountains and
beaches. Here, one can trek the trails at the Osmena Peak and be
rewarded by a breathtaking vista, along with a refreshing dip at
the Kawasan Falls. The world-famous Chocolate Hills can be seen via
a viewdeck in Carmen, Bohol, or through a "surf zipline" at the
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park that offers an aerial view of the
hills from 230 feet high.
Tourism can also be done on two wheels, with the MoTOURismo
Pilgrimage Caravan, developed to encourage motorbike enthusiasts to
explore the open roads of the region, with a scenic route that
traverses Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino,
Isabela and Cagayan and ending in the picturesque Pagudpud
Aquaduct, Ilocos Norte. In Davao, one can even bike while suspended
in mid-air or try the sky swing at the Eden Nature Park and
Mountain Resort.
Bask in the beaches: Head to the beaches of the Calaguas
group of islands in Camarines Norte, with their powdery white
sands, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled natural resources. These
pristine surroundings frame unforgettable sunsets and serene nights
under the stars.
For more island-hopping adventures, this region also boasts of
the Mercedes Group of Islands, with turquoise waters and a
tranquillity that is far removed from the buzz of the city. The
Caramoan Island is the region's crowning glory, as it boasts of a
4,000- hectare limestone forest endowed with a rich diversity of
flora and fauna aside from its perfect white sand beaches, serene
lakes, deep caves, coves and rich marine life that make it a
perfect diving spot for enthusiasts.
Boracay, one of the best beaches in the world, is also ready to
open once again. Its beaches have undergone rehabilitation to
preserve its natural beauty that includes powdery white sand and
clear blue waters.
Palawan, known as nature's Last Ecological Frontier, offers
coves and caves. For those who want to take a deep dive into
underwater adventures, there's Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World
Heritage site and sanctuary for more than 600 species of fish, as
well as several species of sharks, whales, and dolphins; and
Coron Bay which is the site for many
shipwrecks from World War 2. There are so many beaches to choose
from, with island hopping adventures from dreamy El Nido to
picturesque Coron along with an exciting boat trip on the Puerto
Princesa Undergroud River, which has been voted as one of the new 7
Wonders of Nature.
For more water fun, tourists can visit Surigao del Sur, which
sparkles with its attractions such as the multi-tiered Tinuy-an
Falls in Bislig City, to the Hinatuan Enchanted River Underwater
Cave Systems. Siargao Island is also famous for its idyllic
island life and its barrel waves that attract surfers from around
the world.
The Province of Batangas is also a haven for beach enthusiasts,
with the blue waters of Nasugbu, Calatagan, and San Juan towns only a short drive away from
Manila.
Take a food trip: The
Philippines is home to diverse cuisines that have been
passed down through the generations of home cooks who use the
ingredients that are harvested in their area. There are restaurants
that serve local food to gourmands, as the F&B industry of the
country continues to develop world-class cuisine using local
products.
As the country is surrounded by water, seafood is always fresh,
and because of the countryside farms, there is an abundance of
tropical fruits all year round. Eco and agri tours are available,
to bring travellers to the root of food production, from mangroves
and fishing communities on the islands to farms that grow local
produce that is suited to the climate.
Visitors need not travel far to sample the Philippines on a plate. Manila offers cosmopolitan culinary delights,
with many of the regional dishes well-represented by local chefs in
the many restaurant choices that are available. Foodies looking to
experience authentic Filipino farm-to-table cuisine can look
forward to the culinary experiences in Bohol, which include a visit
to a bee farm, strawberry garden, mushroom house and floating lunch
buffet on a Loboc River boat ride where guests are encouraged to
eat with their hands,
Filipino-style.
Get close to nature: Ecological wonders abound, with
flora and fauna endemic to the
Philippines on full display at sites such as the Turtle
Project in La Union, the Barubaybay Mangrove Eco and Marine
Conservation in Northern Samar, and Bird Watching tours in Ilocos
Norte. With its cool mountain climate, Baguio beckons visitors to
explore its walkable public parks or go strawberry-picking at
nearby La Trinidad.
Immerse in history and culture: The Philippines is a country with a rich
history and tradition. And there are tourist destinations that can
bring travellers closer to these traditions. Cebu City, which is
the oldest city in the country, has several relics linking it to
its storied heritage, including the 500-year-old figure of the Sto.
Nino de Cebu, which was presented as a gift by the first Spanish
explorers led by Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan to the local chief's
wife upon her baptism.
Up North, Baguio offers a glimpse of the indigenous life in the
mountainous Cordilleras, at tourist sites such as the Tam-Awan
Village, with its cultural performances highlighting the region's
rich traditions and beliefs.
There are many trails to trek, with paths that lead visitors to
breathtaking vistas. The UNESCO-inscribed Banaue Rice Terraces in
Ifugao and Sagada eco-tourism sites offer interactions with the
locals who give a glimpse of their daily lives that are still based
on centuries-old traditions. The peaks of Mount Pulag and
Mount Ulap in the Northern area of Luzon offers camping sites for
visitors to experience the sunrise amongst a sea of clouds.
Vigan is another charming city to visit, with its heritage
houses on cobble-stoned streets that can be toured via a
horse-drawn cart. Here, tourists can find traditional handicrafts
such as woven blankets, carvings and pottery to take home as
souvenirs.
For a sweet route, there's a sugar trail that runs through
Negros, Iloilo, Capiz, and Antique. This region in Western Visayas
holds many historic sites that exhibit influences from the Spanish
era such as its old churches, heirloom dishes, and heritage houses
that bring travellers back in time.
Ready for the world
As the country waits for international borders to reopen for
travel, find out how the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT)
has been gearing up its initiatives and preparations through the
#MoreFunAwaits campaign.
There is really more to discover in the Philippines, with world-class destinations
that are thrilled to welcome tourists once international travel
resumes. Browse the choices of activities and receive the latest
updates and travel advisories about the
Philippines by visiting
http://www.morefunawaits.com/ or by downloading the Travel
Philippines app at the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
For more photos:
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Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSUmkFPln_U
Photo
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