MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) will continue to promote travel to domestic destinations even after the Philippines has confirmed cases of local transmission of the new coronavirus. Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the DOT listens to the advisories of the Department of Health (DOH), but it was continuing with its plan to promote domestic tourism. Shifting to local tourism would help hotels, resorts, restaurants, and workers like boatmen and souvenir sellers to continue their operations, he said. “The instruction of [Tourism] Secretary [Berna] Puyat is to push for domestic tourism so that the establishments are able to operate at a viable level. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he would bring up the issue of promoting domestic tourism when he meets again with the interagency task force to discuss their messaging.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 09, 2020 20:48 UTC