DOT unveils travel app to restart tourism amid pandemic

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic taking a toll on the Philippine economy, the national government, through the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agency Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), launched a web application on Friday to encourage safe domestic and international tourism in key destinations in the country.

The Travel Philippines Progressive Web App, a browser-based application, provides users access to the latest travel advisories and safety guidelines in various destinations that have reopened to tourism.

It was developed by the DOT and the TPB in partnership with Manila-based tech venture HIMO Global.

The app features DOT-accredited tourism establishments and places to see in its featured destinations.

It also includes safety guidelines for each destination, with minimum health standards implemented by respective local governments and even private establishments.

One of the unique features of the app is a trip planner, where potential visitors can save the places they wish to visit.

“Unlike other travel companions, we created the go-to companion for the traveler in the new normal, prioritizing ease in access to the latest safety information about their favorite destinations,” said Winston Damarillo, President of HIMO Global Inc. in a press statement.

Addressing security concerns for users, Damarillo said that the reason why they had placed the app as a web browser instead of a standalone for devices was due to the potential risks if it were placed in markets such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a press statement said that she hopes the app will be able to help the needs of tourists amid the pandemic.

“As we continue to reopen the country’s tourism destinations, Travel Philippines timely serves as every tourist’s official guide to safe and fun travel. With the ever-changing needs and challenges in travel brought about by the pandemic, [the app] will help both domestic and international tourists have safer and more memorable travel experiences amid our ‘new normal’,” said Puyat.

Destinations in the country that have been included in the app’s initial launch were Ilocos Norte, Manila, Baguio City, Boracay Island, Bohol, and Palawan.

These six destinations have softly reopened to domestic tourism after lockdowns were instituted in mid-March when COVID-19 started to scare the country.

As tourism is one of their main sources of economic activity, these places were some of the worst-hit by the pandemic’s effects.

As of August, the Baguio City Governnment has estimated a tourism loss of P1.6 billion, while Malay, Aklan acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista on Oct. 1 estimated Boracay Island’s losses to P11 billion, and the DOT Regional Office in MIMAROPA pegged Palawan’s losses collectively at more than P8.1 billion as of September.

In the app’s virtual press launch on Friday, TPB Chief Operating Officer Anthonette Velasco-Allones said it was softly launched to kickstart the revival of tourism and assured that more information will be added in the coming weeks.

“We recognize that the information is still a bit fresh and not yet complete. We will go ahead to make sure that more information will be put in place during the coming weeks,” said Allones.

Puyat added that other destinations in the Philippines such as Ilocos Sur and La Union will be added soon once their respective reopening are confirmed.