DOT: Improvement of airports needed for positive tourist experience

After the Philippines unveiled its new tourism slogan, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Wednesday underscored the importance of improving the country’s airports to provide better travel experience for tourists.

Frasco said the Department of Tourism (DOT) is coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to give recommendations on how to improve the airports’ interior and operations.

“Siyempre importante ‘yung ating mga gateways (our gateways are important) to really provide a positive tourist and traveler experience overall. Kaya naman naki-partner tayo sa (that’s why we have partnered with the) Department of Transportation as far as improving the interiors of the airports,” she said in an Unang Balita interview.

The Tourism chief said that it is the DOTr which has the primary jurisdiction over airports, and the DOT is only giving suggestions on how the facilities can be improved for travelers.

“Nag-offer tayo and ongoing na ‘yung ating Filipino brand of service excellence sa ating mga frontline tourism workers,” Frasco added.

(The Filipino Brand of Service Excellence program to our frontline tourism workers is now ongoing.)

The DOT on Tuesday launched the country's new tourism slogan — "Love the Philippines." It replaced "It's More Fun in the Philippines," the country's invitation to travelers since 2012. —KBK, GMA Integrated News