Duterte Promotes PH Local Tourism Amid Looming Losses Caused by COVID-19
DUTERTE – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte urged Pinoys to travel with him around the Philippines amid looming losses caused by Covid-19.
Following a previous article, the London-based Overseas Development Institute (ODI) stated that the Philippine is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to the 2019 novel coronavirus or Covid-19. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez admitted that the effects of the Wuhan virus have already affected the travel and tourism in the country.
“The airlines and the rest of the tourism industry are going to feel the pinch. I don’t know how long. I don’t know if the virus has already peaked. I think there are still new cases coming in,” he said.
Based on a report from Inquirer, several tourist spots in the Philippines have temporarily stopped their tourism activities to help halt the spread of the deadly virus. Among the places that are closed to the tourist is Kabayan in Benguet and Sagada in Mountain province.
On Friday, Communication Secretary Martin Andanar shared a video of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte encouraging Pinoys to travel the country with him. Based on a report from Inquirer, he assured that the country is still safe for local and international travelers.
“To my fellow Filipinos, I encourage you to travel with me around the Philippines. I assure you that everything is safe in our country, be it an issue of health, be it an issue of law and order, and be it an issue of accessibility,” he said.
According to the report, Rodrigo Roa Duterte said hotel accommodations and airlines have agreed to reduce their rates to encourage more people to tour around the country.
“Maraming magagandang mapuntahan sa Pilipinas, wala kayong dapat alalahanin. Itong mga hoteliers at itong mga carriers they have agreed to lower the rates so that we can be a viable market for the Philippines…”
“Come with me and be my travel companion. I’ll be traveling around the Philippines. Pasyal tayo dito sa atin. Unahin natin yung atin. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang turismo ng Pilipinas,” he added.
Based on the report, the 74-year-old chief executive gave that statement after the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that the country loses P42 billion worth of revenues due to the coronavirus threat.
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