Philippines ‘Safe’ for travel

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has given the Department  of Tourism (DOT) Philippines a ‘Safe Travels’ stamp in recognition of its adoption of global health and hygiene standardised protocols.

The ‘Safe Travels’ stamp from WTTC will ensure safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Philippines is the 100th destination to receive the Safe Travels stamp from World Travel & Tourism Council. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Secretary, DOT Philippines, says that DOT shall continue to uphold sustainability and safety in its programmes and projects geared towards the tourism industry’s recovery. “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, and issued with a Certificate of Authority to Operate, are allowed to open and receive guests. These efforts made us confident to pursue our application to use WTTC’s Safe Travels stamp, compelling us to align with WTTC’s health, safety and hygiene global standardised protocols. This will further restore tourist confidence and serve as an assurance to our guests that it is safe to travel in the Philippines. The way forward to our recovery is marked by strengthened partnerships with the private sector, our stakeholders and with other national government agencies,” she shares.

As a user of the stamp, DOT Philippines will have the opportunity to assume the role of a ‘Safe Travels’ ambassador to stakeholders, advocating the implementation and full compliance of protocols.