The Department of Tourism announced last week that 7,127,168 foreign tourists visited the Philippines last year, an all-time high in the country’s tourism industry. This was the great news that the local DOT officials heralded at the New York Times Travel Show held over the weekend at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. “In…
THE six-month closure of the world-famous Boracay island and negative international news did not stop foreign visitors from coming to the Philippines, as the country reached an all-time high of tourist arrivals in 2018, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced this week. The Philippines saw 7,127,168 foreign tourist arrivals last year, which was 7.65 percent…
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Tuesday, January 12, that there are now 305 hotels and resorts accredited to open and operate in the Boracay Island, almost three months after the famous tourist destination reopened after its rehabilitation. In a Facebook post, the tourism department said that there are a total of 10,982 rooms…
Manila, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has accredited at least 13 tour guides whose first assignment was to shepherd 30 students from the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) to Manila’s historical spots, including Rizal Park, National Museum, and Fort Santiago. Such specialized tour, which is the first of its kind, was curated…
Cagayan de Oro City, CDO—Mindananoans were treated to a gastronomic extravaganza as Kaon ‘Ta!, the Northern Mindanao leg of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) food and travel festival was launched recently at the Seda Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. Foodies and travelers delighted themselves with a wide array of local cuisine, including exotic authentic Cagayan de…
The municipal government of El Nido on Thursday, November 15, announced that a total of 50 more tourism establishments are now facing closure for violating the three-meter coastal easement policy in the town. El Nido town administrator RJ de la Calzada said that the establishments that violated the environmental rules have been given a two-week…
WORLD-renowned Boracay island opened its doors to visitors on Friday, October 26, six months after it closed for rehabilitation. President Rodrigo Duterte previously called the hot spot a “cesspool” due to overcrowding and the disregard for environmental safety and standards. Given the circumstances at the time, he ordered that the island be shut down in…
BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN, PHILIPPINES – Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat urges visitors to respect and observe local regulations to help protect and preserve Boracay Island. Puyat made the appeal during the much-awaited reopening of the island, stressing the importance of a collective effort from the island’s residents and its visitors alike. “As we welcome a Better…
The government’s guidelines for popular tourist spot Boracay Island still have many Boracay businesses confused. Elena Brugger, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Boracay, said in a DZRH interview on Tuesday, October 16, that many establishments are still unaware of the progress of their permit applications. “Hinihingi ng business sector na…
A better and more sustainable Boracay is set to welcome back visitors on October 26 and is expected to usher in newer and bigger markets awaiting the island’s full recovery. Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr. reiterated that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is well on track with its 7.4 million target as the…
MANILA — The Department of Tourism said around 5,000 hotel rooms are expected to open during the soft-opening of Boracay island on October 26. At the Senate hearing into the Boracay closure on Monday, August 20, DOT Undersecretary Arthur Boncato Jr. explained that Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat ordered the tourism agency to do the opening…
The Department of Tourism (DOT), in an effort to promote tourism research in the country, is calling for proposals for its 2018 Tourism Research Grant. The individual research proposals eligible for financial assistance must be aligned with the DOT Secretary’s policy direction for the current year which is to promote Farm Tourism and Culinary Tourism. The grant aims…
TOKYO, JAPAN – “As we face the next half of 2018, we look forward with excitement to hitting a new high in Japanese tourism arrivals by breaching the 600,000 mark,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat during the recent Philippine Business Mission (PBM) to Japan. Puyat said Japan produced a total of 584,180 visitors to the country last…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reiterated the suspension of all projects of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) responding to the reported staging of Buhay Carinderia North Luzon Roadshow. In a Memorandum dated 18 May 2018, DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat instructed the “suspension of the implementation of all ongoing TPB projects…subject to the review of…
Tourists Asked to Discover, Experience and Explore The world-famous and iconic Grand Central Terminal in New York City is the home of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines – at least for four days this week as Explore Islands Philippines, a major project to promote Philippine tourism is now ongoing at the Vanderbilt Hall after a…
Newly-appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat revealed President Rodrigo Duterte’s first instruction for her was to maintain a “no corruption” policy as she takes over the department that was recently involved in a P60-million advertising deal controversy. “My only instruction from the President when he offered it and then I accepted – he said, ‘Congratulations! All…
President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed Tuesday, May 8. “Yes accepted,” Roque said in a text message, when asked if the president has accepted Teo’s resignation. Teo was accused of conflict of interest after state auditors found that the Department of Tourism (DOT) approved…
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), international tourist arrivals for the first mark of 2018 breached the two million mark—reaching another milestone. DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said they already welcomed over two million foreign guests into the country in just three months compared to last year where it took until April to reach two…
The “Treasures of SOX” Travel and Tour Expo opened at the Glorietta Mall on May 6 featuring Region 12 – SOCCSKSARGEN’s spectrum of tourism experience, ranging from folklore to culture, ecotourism and beach parties. One of the highlights of the SOX experience for 2018 is the 12th Philippine Bird Festival (May 10-12), featuring the Baras Bird…
BORACAY, AKLAN – On the first day of the Boracay rehabilitation, the Department of Tourism (DOT) led the first wave of clean-up drive along the stretch of Bulabog Beach as part of #SaveBoracay rehabilitation efforts. More than 200 volunteers arrive from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Environmental Management Bureau, the Department…
MANILA – The countdown begins for the thrilling battle of human strength and will power, as 30 athletes from across the globe arrive here to compete in the 41st World Strongest Man (WSM) to be staged in various Philippine tourist destinations. The Department of Tourism (DOT), which facilitated the country’s hosting of WSM, said the popular sports television…
Various sites including locations of emerging tourist destinations are excited to host the 41st World’s Strongest Man (WSM) events from April 28 till May 6. In an effort to strengthen the country’s bid as a worthwhile venue for international sports events, the Department of Tourism (DOT) facilitated the hosting of WSM to boost sports tourism, particularly in the locations where the competition events…
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) is considering the idea of hosting the Miss Universe pageant in 2019 after the rehabilitation of Boracay island. According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, it was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who suggested the hosting of another Miss Universe pageant in the country to help in reintroducing Boracay to the…
The tourism industry in the Philippines has achieved another “milestone” after reaching an “all-time high” record of more than 6.6 million tourist arrivals in 2017. A recent data released by the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in the country increased from the previous 5,967,005 in 2016 to 6,620,908…
As a second-generation Filipina-American, I leap at every opportunity to travel to the Philippines, especially when the trip is centered on a place that is outside of Manila or the popular island destinations. Earlier this fall, I was invited to join a seven-day familiarization tour to Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with about…
Philippines’ farm tourism opens a world of discovery and exploration for international and domestic visitors as the Department of Tourism (DOT) leads today’s launching of “It’s More Fun in Philippine Farms” program. DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo disclosed that a series of activities will be held throughout the country including consultative assemblies of farm tourism stakeholders;…
“The Philippines is in a position to join the ranks of countries whose Duty Free industry is expected to grow by an average of 40 percent in the next decade,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo at the recently-concluded 2017 Duty Free & Travel Retail Global Summit held at Cannes, France. Teo expressed…
MEMBERS of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles officially welcomed Richmond Jimenez as the new tourism director at the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) office in this city. Jimenez, who will serve in the position for the next three years, said that the department is seeking new ways to creatively attracted Filipinos and non-Filipinos living…
