DOT eyes 'travel bubble' involving places with few COVID-19 cases

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is looking to open a "travel bubble" involving places with a low number of COVID-19 cases when tourist activities resume, Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Wednesday. 

Puyat said the department is considering opening up areas with few COVID-19 cases to tourism provided that health and safety protocols are in place. 

At the virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum, the official said many tourist spots in the country have recorded zero or a single-digit figure of COVID-19 cases. 

The official said health protocols must be established and that each local government unit's (LGU) restrictions have to be considered. 

"That's why we are looking at first the LGUs. Maybe that's why they're hesitant to open at first, because they want to check first the health protocols," Puyat said when asked about potential outbreaks occurring in the "travel bubble." 

The official cited Australia and New Zealand and said countries in Southeast Asia "are doing the same."

She said the DOT has talked with Australian partners and told them there is an "option" for them to fly from Australia directly to Bohol or Kalibo, where there are international airports. 

"Kung gusto man nila pumunta ng Palawan, pwede naman via Clark, and Clark may diretso naman sa El Nido sa Palawan. There's so many possibilities, so 'yun na muna ang ating... we are pushing for that," she said.

She cited Australia and New Zealand, whose authorities, according to reports, are working towards creating a "travel bubble" between the two countries. 

The official said countries in Southeast Asia "are doing the same." 

Tourism was hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis as the health emergency forced travel restrictions around the world. 

The DOT said in May that it was banking on domestic travel to help Philippine tourism recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Stakeholders of the local tourism sector have warned, however, of the crisis' effect on travel confidence. —KG/BM, GMA News