We all miss traveling and our wanderlust bucket list is growing longer since the pandemic started. Our favorite destinations like Boracay, Siargao, and Palawan have been preparing to open their doors safely to welcome you to their beautiful destinations.
The Department of Tourism recently launched More Fun Awaits campaign as the economy of the Philippines prepares to open to tourists for local and, soon enough, international travelers. The campaign aims to strengthen its position to be one of the top-of-mind tourist destinations.
More Fun Awaits shows the preparations of the DOT all around the Philippines especially those that are now ready to welcome local tourists and has safety protocols in place. It also includes tourism products that are truly world-class.
The famous white sand beaches of Puka Beach in Boracay. Photo courtesy of Erwin Lim for the Department of Tourism
Aside from the amazing beach destinations, the campaign also puts a spotlight on new activities that include enhanced bike tours, dive circuits, farm, and food tourism circuits, hiking and trekking, and outdoor museums through historical and cultural tours, among others.
The campaign can be found on www.morefunawaits.com and it features videos of the places tourists should check out. It also takes us around the country virtually as we stay safe at home, for now.
“The More Fun Awaits campaign will sustain the presence of the Philippines as a tourist destination amidst the pandemic while getting foreign travelers excited about what’s in store for them once borders for tourism reopen,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat.
View from the peak of the well-known Mt. Apo in Davao. Photo courtesy of Aya Lowe for the Department of Tourism
Filipinos can also take part in #MoreFunAwaits as they can post their own guides, recommendations, activities, or must-try dishes.
The campaign also features stories about tourism workers and their inspiring stories. It is also a reminder that our support to the tourism industry is also helping the livelihood and supporting their lives during the pandemic.
“Travel is more than just a personal experience. The heart of tourism are the workers and the communities who make the experience possible,” said Puyat.
Left to right: Marites Jala has been working at the CS Village Floating Restaurant in Bohol for more than 20 years; Jornel Liporda, the caretaker of Alalum Falls in Bukidnon. Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism.
“Through the More Fun Awaits campaign, we want to communicate that the Philippines prioritizes the safety and well-being of visitors, as many of our tourism establishments are compliant with global safety standards, and a large percentage of our tourism workers are already vaccinated”, shared Secretary Puyat.
DOT Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat awards a WTTC Safe Travel Stamp to the Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort in Pampanga. Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism.
The DOT has issued the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp to three local tourism destinations, which are Baguio City, Boracay Island, and Ilocos Norte, and to 200 DOT-accredited accommodation establishments nationwide. The WTTC Safe Travel Stamp is the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp for travelers to recognize governments and businesses that have adopted global health standardized protocols.
Meanwhile, the inoculation of tourism workers is ongoing in different parts of the country, especially in major tourism areas, including the National Capital Region where 99% of tourism workers in DOT-accredited hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as 94% of tourism workers in accredited restaurants have had their anti-COVID jabs. Nationwide, 51% of tourism workers have already been vaccinated.
“We are optimistic that the More Fun Awaits campaign, and all our efforts since the pandemic started, will be sustained as the tourism industry recovers under safe conditions,” said Puyat.
For more updates about the More Fun Awaits campaign and the latest information and travel advisories about the Philippines, visit www.morefunawaits.com.
