APA Travel Ventures

10/03/2021

All tourist from the Philippines is now welcome to Ilocos Sur!

The requirements enumerated below will be temporarily evaluated manually at the borders pending completion of the S-PaSS roll out by DOST.

Link for SPASS - https://s-pass.ph/clients/registration_captcha

10/03/2021

DOT to spur domestic tourism in Rizal

RIZAL -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) banks on the Green Corridor Initiative (GCI) in Rizal as one of its key strategies to hasten tourism recovery in the new normal.

This, after Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday (March 10) visited Rizal to help address the needs of the local executives and industry stakeholders. Puyat also expressed support for the proposed tourism circuit called Rizal Faith, Food, Art, Adventure and Nature (FFAAN) Experience under the GCI.

“Being in close proximity to Metro Manila, Rizal Province has long been a favored destination for land travelers,” the tourism chief expressed.

Among the activities and sites experienced by the tourism chief include pottery demonstration at the Crescent Moon Cafe and Studio Pottery in Antipolo; wellness activity in Luljetta’s Garden Suites in Antipolo; Blanco Family Museum in Angono, and a portrait session with the local artists of Nemiranda Art Gallery in Angono.

Like the other circuits under GCI, the FFAAN Experience in Rizal can be tailor-made to fit one’s preference, as long as the activities and attractions are in Antipolo, where pilgrimage sites can be found; in Angono or the “Art Capital of the Philippines; in Taytay or the “Woodworks and Garments Capital,” and in Cainta, where native rice cakes such as bibingka and kalamay are top favorites.

“The GCI is a domestic tourism program for tourism recovery in the new normal, designed to encourage more travelers to visit the multi-faceted province of Rizal, a place that abounds with nature, adventure, arts and culture, and, of course, food,” Puyat added.

Puyat has earlier visited some establishments in Rizal, including the Burrow Cafe at the Antipolo Beehouse, Pinto Art Museum, and the ArtSector Gallery and Cafe in Binangonan.

“It was just a small but eye-opening sampling of what Rizal really has to offer,” she said.

Rizal is the top contributor of the 2020 overnight tourism arrivals, sharing 395,364 or 36 percent of the total number of the region’s total tourism arrivals. The province is also the top contributor of the 2020 same day tourism arrivals, sharing 7,200,454 or 60 percent of the total number of the region’s total tourism arrivals.

09/03/2021

This resort has boathouse, a gym, an indoor play area for kids, and even a yoga studio! Laysho! 😍💦☀ (via VisMin.ph - Philippines )

Want to add a luxurious experience to your Siargao Travel? Check out Nay Palad Hideaway. This palm-fringed resort is located between the island of Siargao and a vast mangrove area. The resort is…

05/03/2021

DOT supports Coron’s sustainable tourism development to bounce back

CORON, PALAWAN -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) expresses support for Coron’s sustainable tourism development to draw more visitors and hasten tourism recovery.

“Giving our recovery plans for Coron a major boost is the Sustainable Tourism Development Project or STDP, which will be launched this year and will run throughout 2026,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat remarked during the dialogue with stakeholders on Thursday, March 04, banking on the able leadership of Mayor Marjo Reyes, local industry captains and community beacons to provide the impetus for this high-impact project.

The STDP is an initiative under the Transforming Communities Towards Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Tourism (TouRIST) program of the DOT.

The STDP, a collaboration among the DOT, the provincial government of Palawan, the municipalities of Coron and El Nido and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is aimed at making Coron and El Nido’s tourism development sustainable and inclusive. A five-year project to commence by the third quarter of this year, the major components include urban infrastructure, ecosystems improvement and enterprise development.

For Coron, urban infrastructure projects will include water supply, sewerage system, drainage improvements and urban beautification. The ecosystems component will focus on the restoration of four key ecotourism sites, capacity building for marine protected area (MPA) management and alternative livelihoods.

“The STDP will help build the capacity of local stakeholders to protect and conserve Coron’s natural beauty and biodiversity and ensure that tourism benefits the local communities,” Puyat said.

Meanwhile, the DOT has vowed to continue providing technical assistance in the areas of product development, marketing and promotions and capacity building for both the local government and tourism workers.

The DOT has conducted rigid inspections and regularly monitors its accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) to ensure that minimum health and safety protocols are enforced. As of February 15, 2021, a total of 20 AEs have been accredited.

As part of the Bayanihan 2 program, the DOT has partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to extend Cash Assistance to affected tourism workers. For Coron, a total of 34 enterprises with 740 workers received their benefits amounting to ₱3,700,000.00 as of March 2, 2021. For more affected workers to benefit from the program, the tourism chief has urged the local government and tourism enterprises to help facilitate issuance of documentary requirements.

“We hope that this financial aid from the government will help get our tour guides, tour operators, and other displaced tourism workers back on their feet,” the tourism chief said.

Likewise, with the decision to still require RTPCR tests before travel, the DOT’s partnership with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) will continue to boost local travel with the 50 percent subsidy program.

Coron prides itself for being almost COVID free, which is a positive pull factor for visitors to enjoy the many beautiful bleach white sand beaches, large limestone cliffs, endemic terrestrial wildlife and rich marine ecosystem. It is home to Kayangan Lake, touted as cleanest lake in the country.

Often cited in many lists of top dive spots in the world, its main draw are the World War II Japanese wrecks as well as the other fun dive spots.

Coron is a top destination for both international and local travellers. In 2019, Palawan welcomed 1,987,605 visitors, 15 percent or a total of 292,549 of which visited Coron.

Coron has attracted some 2,900 visitors since it reopened on 01 December 2020.

04/03/2021

DOT welcomes Puerto Princesa reopening to domestic tourists

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN -- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat supports the decision of Puerto Princesa City (PPC) executives to reopen its attractions to more domestic tourists with minimum health and safety standards in place.

“We are keen to discover and develop other tourism products to encourage visitors to stay longer or to entice repeat visits. We have great confidence in the city’s future as there is vast potential to further develop its nature-based, farm, and sun and beach tourism products,” the tourism chief said.

On 01 March, PPC reopened to domestic tourists per city Resolution 29. Tourists are required to take the RT-PCR test before travel with 48 hours validity. The negative test result should be emailed directly by the Department of Health (DOH)-accredited testing facility to the City’s Incident Management Team (IMT). Also required is a confirmed booking from a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment and travel agency for guided tours. The use of StaySafe.ph system as a contact tracing application is likewise mandatory.

Puyat assured that tourism frontliners will be included in the vaccination priority, particularly the quarantine hotel workers. The DOT will continue to provide technical assistance on product development, marketing and promotions, and to conduct skills training programs.

The DOT will also continue setting the seal on the health and safety protocols in the whole tourism value chain in PPC, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, and tourist sites, among others. As of 15 February, DOT Region 4B has accredited 73 tourism establishments and service providers in the city, the majority of which are tour guides.

The tourism chief added that the DOT and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have aided displaced tourism workers through the Cash Assistance Program, as mandated under the Bayanihan 2. As of 02 March, the DOT Region 4B has endorsed a total of 20,621 members/ workers in the region to date.

“6,846 workers in Palawan have received assistance amounting to P34,230,000 through the program. We are hopeful that more Palaweños can benefit from the program. We have a few beneficiaries here with us today; thank you for the trust you have placed in the DOT as we continue to seek ways to help everyone through this difficult time,” Puyat enthused.

Known for its UNESCO World Heritage site Underground River, PPC shares 50 percent of the tourist arrivals in Palawan and in the region, making it the biggest contributor to its economic growth. In 2020, Palawan logged a partial number of 157,051 tourist arrivals, 71,889 of which were visits to PPC.

03/03/2021

LOOK: What is the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp?

The World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels Stamp is the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp. It is a specially designed stamp which will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

The DOT’s Role as a Safe Travels Ambassador:

In September 2020, the Philippines is the 100th destination to be awarded the WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognizing the alignment of the country’s Health and Safety Guidelines for tourism-related sectors to that of the WTTC and the emergence of destinations which are opening up for domestic tourists with no quarantine period.

Following this, the Department of Tourism has been given the opportunity to assume the role of a Safe Travels Ambassador to the stakeholders, advocating the implementation of the Safe Travels protocols and the uptake of the Safe Travels stamp to subsidiary public sector authorities and/or private sector organization and ensure their ongoing compliance with the protocols and Terms & Conditions.

Who may apply?

Recognizing the alignment of the Philippine Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operations of Accommodation Establishments under the New Normal to that of the Council’s, the DOT shall roll-out the issuance of the stamp to interested and compliant accommodation establishments with DOT Accreditation.

Moreover, the stamp may likewise be issued to interested and compliant local destinations that have re-opened to tourists and are compliant with the protocol’s core requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Users of the stamp will confirm that they will implement and will ensure ongoing compliance with the Safe Travels protocols as outlined in the WTTC Safe Travels Terms & Conditions and to carry out periodic checks of the Safe Travels protocols, to ensure the
destination / entities remain aligned with that of the council. It should be noted that the Safe Travels stamp is based on self-assessment and it is not a certification.

Benefits of Stamp Receiver

1. Benefit from an internationally recognised stamp, developed in collaboration with WTTC Members, leading industry associations & international organisations. In other words, your protocols are aligned with the global private sector.
2. Use the stamp as an important and powerful signal to travellers, workers and other stakeholders in the sector that we have a consistent global approach.
3. Leverage the stamp to rebuild confidence among travellers, and within the sector, so “Safe travels” can be enjoyed as restrictions are eased.
4. Destination / Enterprise logo will be featured on WTTC webpage.
5. Added promotion of entities / destinations in the DOT and TPB respective websites and social media platforms.

For documentary requirements:

Destinations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RK_grjsAsfFEmTk8Jxujm8jE94smIq8m?usp=sharing

Entities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rM_22r0Z2Ncag03biNOmgHs-cM1pwye9?usp=sharing

For more information:
https://wttc.org/COVID-19/Safe-Travels-Global-Protocols-Stamp

02/03/2021

Seat sale alert! Book with us now! 💯

Cebu Pacific is offering seats for as low as P1 as it launches its PISO fare to all domestic and international destinations, the airline said on Tuesday.

02/03/2021

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 20 Series of 2021

AN ORDER PROVIDING THE UPDATED TRAVEL PROTOCOLS DURING MODIFIED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR.

02/03/2021

Here Are Philippine Airlines’ Flights for March 2021 and Beyond. 👍

Know when booking with the country's flag carrier.

02/03/2021

DOT urges for more WTTC Safe Travels Stamp applications

The Department of Tourism (DOT) starting today, March 1, opens the application for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp to all DOT-accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) and tourism destinations that are open to local tourists.

"With uniform travel protocols expected to stimulate domestic travel, the need for more establishments for leisure will arise. The DOT encourages all AEs not used as quarantine facilities and tourism destinations that have reopened to apply for the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp to be globally recognized as a fun and 'Safe Travels' facility and destination," said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp is the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp for travelers to recognize governments and businesses that have adopted global health standardized protocols.

Aside from being promoted in the websites and social media platforms of the DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the recipients benefit from global exposure and the vast network of WTTC member organizations as well as brand awareness with the logos distinctly posted at the WTTC website.

Interested applicants must be compliant with the DOT’s health and safety guidelines, adhere to the WTTC Safe Travels Terms and Conditions, and submit the necessary documentary requirements.

Accommodation establishments should submit a letter of intent, accomplished application form, and establishment logo while destinations include the local government unit (LGU) profile, health and safety-related issuances/ordinances, and destination logo.

Applications should be coursed through the DOT’s regional offices with email addresses available at www.tourism.gov.ph/regional_offices.aspx.

The DOT central office and regional offices will conduct inspection and validation of the applicant establishments and destinations.

"It should be noted that the Safe Travels stamp is based on self-assessment and is not a certification, thus, stamp holders shall ensure strict compliance with the Safe Travels Protocols Terms and Conditions at all times," Puyat clarified.

Last January, the DOT issued the Stamp to two staycation hotels, namely: Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila and Grand Hyatt Manila recognizing their compliance with the DOT and WTTC Safe Travels protocols.

30/01/2021

27/01/2021

Travel Ventures Since 2021.