Manila, Philippines- – The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched on Tuesday, a dedicated tourism web page for Southeast Asian (SEA) Games visitors.
With some 11, 000 visitors arriving from the South East Asian nations, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat says now is the perfect opportunity to showcase the best of the Philippines in a “very accessible manner”.
The soonest they step in the country , our guests already had a glimpse of what the Philippines has to offer. What we want to show them is that all these sporting hubs that they have visited and the Filipino hospitality they have experienced, is just a fraction of the fun that awaits them. They can now experience first-hand the culture of sustainable tourism that is making Philippines a preferred destination among visitors. With the tourism website that we have just launched, their Philippine destination wish list is just a click away ,” Puyat enthused.
The tourism microsite (philippines.travel/seagames2019) will help SEA Games visitors – both foreign and local tourists, to explore the country while keeping abreast of SEA Games information. Featured in the microsite are various sports activities, Philippines’ cultural heritage sites, beaches, local cuisines and products, among other uniquely Filipino offerings.
Tour packages include guided cultural tours and dining with entertainment shows in Manila; private resorts in Laguna; heritage tours and nature exploration in Ilocos region and Zambales; beach and diving activities in Batangas, adventure and recreational activities in Pampanga and Tarlac, and many more.
The tourism chief has also given the directive to the regional offices to ensure that all tourism counters in airports and hotels where the SEA Games delegates are billeted in can provide information on nearby destinations and to assist interested tourists in their purchases.
The microsite is powered by the department’s official partner Guide to the Philippines (guidetothephilippines.ph), an online marketplace formed by various DOT accredited tour operators. It offers special tour packages with promotional rates that are available only for the duration of SEA Games.
“Aside from the website, we are also here to assist our guests and athletes to ensure the best tourism experience possible, and to contribute to the smooth implementation and success of the SEA Games in general,” the DOT Chief stressed.
Before the opening of the SEA Games last November 30, Puyat called on volunteers to sign up as Sports Liaison Officers (SLO) to provide additional manpower to some of the sporting events in Clark and Manila which include badminton, bowling, basketball, e-sports, boxing, kick boxing, billiards, squash, shooting and volleyball. For the Clark bloc, sports like aquatics (diving and swimming), arnis, athletics, baseball, softball, golf, judo, jiujitsu, kurash, sambo, wrestling, among others.
“Our social media call for SEA Games volunteers gathered thousands of responses and inquiries filling the slots for the Metro Manila and Clack volunteers in just a few hours. This shows the innate hospitality and compassion of the Filipinos to rise to the occasion and show what are nation is really made of,” Secretary Puyat said.
The SEA Games will culminate on 11 December.
