Once again, the Philippines had put itself on the global map as a prime tourist destination in the new normal after successfully hosting the 21st World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit on April 20-22, held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.
With the country’s first-ever hosting of what is considered to be the most influential annual travel and tourism event, the Philippines has shown that it is capable of holding an event of such prestige, attended not only by international government delegations but also by top executives of hotels, airlines, tour operators, transportation, global distribution system, advertising and entertainment companies, and other industry organizations.
The event was spearheaded by the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT), led by Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
The Secretary has expressed her faith in the local tourism industry as the Philippines has ramped up its efforts to make the country a safe and ideal place to travel amid the pandemic. “In the nearly two years when international travel was put on hold, the Philippines has been busy preparing for the day when our country would be open again. We have put in place guidelines that will ensure the safety of our guests, our tourism workforce, and our community,” emphasized Puyat during the summit’s opening press conference.
The summit was attended by over 1,000 delegates hailing from more than 50 countries, double than expected, including 30 government delegations, 200 representatives from the media, and 10,000 virtual participants.
The sessions touched on varying topics under the heading “Rediscovering Travel.” Top executives and big names in the travel and tourism industry served as panelists in the sessions.
As early as September 2020, the Philippines was granted the use of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp, allowing travelers to recognize governments and businesses that have adopted global health standardized protocols. With this, the tourism sector in the Philippines is projecting a rosy outlook as the world navigates within the new normal, welcoming recent trends and preferences of local and international travelers alike.
As entry restrictions are gradually eased, tourists will enjoy many attractions in the Philippines that fit the new traveler preferences during and post-pandemic: open spaces, outdoor destinations, and nature reserves.
With 98% of tourism workers fully vaccinated, the country is further solidifying its promise to provide tourists with a safe and enjoyable stay in the country.
