PH eyes ‘travel bubble’ for virus-free zones

Last updated on May 7th, 2021 at 05:46 am

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing on implementing the so-called “travel bubble” between Covid-free areas in the country and abroad.

Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said that these corridors would allow the resumption of tourism in Philippine destinations with zero cases of Covid-19 to foreign tourists from infection-free nations.

Puyat added that it’s hard to sell the Philippines as a whole so the tourism department is looking for travel corridors. New Zealand and South Korea were among the possible partners for the tourism bubble.

The tourism chief reported that the country is fortunate that majority of the tourism site have a low infection cases and most areas can considered as gateway for tourism.

The Department of Tourism said that domestic and international travelers’ main concern is safety. The agency will prioritize the opening of areas with enough safety protocols.

DOT also reiterated that travel and tours would only be allowed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). Residents living in GCQ areas cannot travel to MGCQ. The travel bubble is a practice also currently being used by other ASEAN countries in efforts to help revive the economy, particularly in tourism industry.