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Cagayan Valley and Northern Philippine Islands

DOT Sec Puyat: Encouraging Outlook of Philippine Travel, Tourism Industry

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – Outgoing Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the outlook of Philippine travel and tourism industry is “very encouraging”.

In her message delivered virtually before the over 176 participants to the Regional Tourism Forum and Awards Night (RTFAN) at the Isabela Convention Center here recently, Puyat cited the statement of the World Travel and Tourism Council President and Chief Executive Officer Julia Simpson that the Philippine Tourism industry has been steadily recovering inspite of the on-going global health concern.

Puyat quoted Simpson’s statement during the WTTC Summit held in Manila last April 2022, on the Council’s forecast for the travel and tourism in the Philippines to reach an average annual growth rate of 6.7 percent over the next few years, exceeding its expected overall growth rate of 5.6 percent.

The secretary further said that the country’s employment rate will likewise grow at an annual average rate of 3 percent over the same period, generating at least 2.9 million new jobs which will account for 21.5 percent of all jobs generated in the country.

“Since we re-opened our borders last February, we already welcomed half a million foreign tourists (510,844) to our country as of May 24,” Puyat said.

She cited one factor which is the requirement for foreign tourists to show proof of “fully vaccinated”, the simplest entry protocol, before they are allowed entry to the country.

“I am happy that many of the destinations in Region 2 have likewise made their entry protocol simpler, mostly needing proof of “fully vaccinated”, Puyat said.

She cited the strong collaboration between the DOT and the private sector, other government agencies, local government units and local communities as factors in the successful reopening of the tourism industry in the region.

“We made sure that health and safety protocols are in place in all tourism establishments and destinations,” she said citing that the people’s innate Bayanihan spirit allowed the tourism industry to thrive under the new normal.#PR/RTFAN/#17

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