DOT launches 24/7 foreign tourist assistance call center

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the 24/7 tourist assistance call center to accommodate the complaints and inquiries of foreign guests.

“Isa sa mga hinaing ng ating mga partners sa toursim industry, yung mga travel stakeholders, ay pag nagkaroon ng problema o issue ang mga foreign guests sa Pilipinas, hindi po nila alam kung sino yung tatawagan nila o saan sila pupunta para makatanggap ng government information o assistance,” said DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the launch.

(Among the complaints of our tourism industry partners, our travel stakeholders, is that when a foreign guest has a problem here in the Philippines, they don't know who to call or where to go for information or government assistance.)

The tourist assistance call center can be contacted through hotline 151-TOUR (151-8687).

Tourists can inquire about tourism accreditation, complaints, local or destination policies, landmarks, modes of transactions, events or festivals, and travel agencies.

Currently, there are only eight agents fluent in English and Filipino, but the agency plans to expand its staff in the coming weeks or months. It also aims to train the agents in foreign languages.

“The procurement for the tourist assistance call center has gone through competitive bidding, and all the documents pertaining to the procurement has been published on the DOT website and you’re welcome to visit the website for the details,” said Frasco. — DVM, GMA Integrated News