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FOREIGN tourist visits to the Philippines have not yet been opened. However, the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) continues to communicate with various travel agents, including those in Indonesia. This was observed in the recent Discover Philippines Hybrid Event by PDOT in Jakarta, where TTC Indonesia was trusted as the organizer.
In the “Discover Philippines Hybrid Event by PDOT, there were 25 buyers from Jakarta and 11 sellers from the Philippines who updated each other with the situation and conditions related to tourism in their respective countries.
According to Sella Utami, PDOT Jakarta representative, said that the holding of this event was to facilitate travel operators in the Philippines to stay in touch with travel agents from Indonesia to see what opportunities in the future and how to promote Philippine tourism after the international tourist gates were opened.
“Besides the international tourist gate has not been opened, the implementation of quarantine is also one of the important reasons for tourists to travel to a country. This is important, because tourists will find it less effective if the number of quarantine days is longer than the days for them to enjoy their holidays,” said Sella.
Currently, the Philippine Government divides 3 categories for a country that is allowed to visit its country, namely the green category, low risk, yellow category, medium risk and red category, high risk.
“Indonesia is included in the green category. However, the Philippine government has not yet opened it to tourists. There are only a few categories that can enter the Philippines, one of which is Indonesians who have settled in the Philippines,” said Sella.
Reasons to Visit the Philippines
According to Sella, the Philippines has interesting destinations and attractions as reasons why you should visit this country, including having a large Muslim community located in Mindanao—one of the largest islands in the country.
The distance is not too long, only 4 hours from Jakarta. There are several airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Garuda which fly directly from Jakarta – Philippines – Jakarta.
“Then PDOT has also held Indonesian language classes for frontliners and tour guides. So in the future they can understand tourists who use the language and or come from Indonesia, “explained Sella.
What should be noted, he continued, the Philippines’ diving destinations are world-famous. This year, the Philippines was awarded The World Leading Dive Destination Award from the World Travel Award 2021. The Philippines was also the shooting location for the film Avengers Endgame. Some of the annual events are also very interesting.
No less important, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines has received a ‘Safe Travel Stamp’ from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). This Safe Travel Stamp is a form of global acknowledgment that the Philippines has successfully completed global standards in terms of health, safety and hygiene. So it is safe to be visited by foreign tourists. [traveltext.id]
