The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the lifting of the travel ban to Taiwan to minimize the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global threat on the local tourism industry.
“The lifting of the travel ban on Taiwan is highly assuring and we hope that the (Covid-19) crisis would soon be resolved, worldwide. Ultimately, the recovery of all affected countries is a universal prayer, especially that tourism is inclusive and sustainable business for and of the people,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette-Romulo-Puyat said.
“The recovery of all affected countries is a universal prayer.”
The temporary ban to Taiwan was lifted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases after it was established that Taiwan has been implementing very strict and excellent protocols in handling travelers.
The task force underscored the need to review regularly how the Philippines’ source countries heighten precautionary measures and implement stricter protocols to contain the virus.
Taiwan is the country’s fifth-largest tourist source market.
Taiwan is the country’s fifth-largest tourist source market, raking up an impressive double-digit increase of 37.07 percent for its 305,570 arrivals from January to November last year.
All preventive and precautionary measures have been put in place by the national government to contain the spread of COVID -19.
Guidelines in handling guests in tourism enterprises during this global emergency are being implemented in hotels and resorts around the country and facilities are equipped with infrared thermometers and more hand sanitizers.
The temporary entry ban for tourists coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions (SARs) Hong Kong and Macau and the 14-day quarantine for Filipinos coming from these places are still in effect.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector rallied behind the DOT to mitigate the impact on inbound tourism by rolling out a tactical program that would offer more value-added tour packages, discounted accommodation rates, and marked-down prices for domestic flights.