DOT to aid Filipino tourism sector affected by Middle East conflict

The Department of Tourism (DOT) stands ready to assist Filipinos in the tourism sector who would be affected by the effects of the Middle East conflict.

In an interview with GMA News Online on Tuesday, DOT Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar said the current geopolitical state made people more hesitant to travel, which would naturally incur losses for the tourism sector.

“When there are no tourists that come in because of the conflict in their areas, so one, you'd consider, we all know that airfares have already reset. So, sinong turista ang pupunta sa'yo?... Kung walang turista, how will they earn a living in the community itself? (So, which tourist will still go to you?... If there are no tourists, how will the earn a living in the community itself?) ” she asked.

“Kung sinasabi natin nagmahal yung fuel cost, yung jet fuel because of the conflict, because of what's happening, then definitely affected ang tourism natin sa country… Kailangang hintayin natin and let's pray that this will end soon so that everything will at least try will be back to normal pretty soon with the fuel cost, airline tickets, and then livelihood also for the community, especially yung working force natin. I really hope this will end soon,” she added.

(If we are saying that the fuel costs have gone up, the jet fuel because of the conflict because of what’s happening, then definitely our country’s tourism will be affected… We need to wait and let’s pray that this will end soon so that everything will at least try will be back to normal pretty soon with the fuel cost, airline tickets, and then livelihood also for the community, especially our working force. I really hope this will end soon.)

Abubakar said the DOT has already prepared to support their tourism stakeholders and workers as the conflict continues in the Middle East.

“Pag meron talagang naantala na ating mga tourism workforce, talagang we extend our help… Sometimes we give them food packs, we try to help them find jobs someplace else kung mayroong opportunity kahit temporarily,” she added.

(If there really is a time when our tourism workforce becomes stagnant, we edxtend our help… Sometimes we give them food packs, we try to help them find jobs someplace else if there are opportunities even if it’s just temporarily.)

Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) President and Founder Michelle Taylan also said the tourism sector is feeling the effects of the conflict heavily.

“Everyone can feel it… Not only the Philippines but all over the world is actually affected of what is happening right now about the war conflict in the Middle East. But, I believe everything is temporary. So, we can just try some options first,” she said.

For tourism stakeholders and workers, Taylan also recommended for workers to opt for other industries while waiting for the conflict to end.

She highlighted Filipino resilience, adding that she believed the tourism sector can continue to sustain itself in the meantime.

Meanwhile, she encouraged Filipinos to explore local cities and nearby areas to save costs while still supporting tourism.

“They can just do staycations if they want to be relaxed, you know, to go not too far because there are still a lot of beautiful places in the cities of the Philippines. For those na maluwag-luwag ng konti, (For those who have a bit more breathing room) well, they can still travel nearby destinations that is not too expensive… If they have really that budget, they can still go farther like Boracay, Bohol, Cebu,” she said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News