TALKING POINTS FOR THE INTERVIEW ON “CANDID WITH CHROMA”

Host: Carmela Bocanegra, VP for Sales and Marketing, Chroma Hospitality

30 March 2021, 3:30 pm

1. The Philippine Travel Survey garnered over 7,200 respondents and there
are 4 key implications that we can discuss as this is helpful to the industry
in terms of moving forward. The first finding is that – Travel is perceived as
an answer to keeping their sanity. What are your thoughts on this, do you
agree?

Travelling is considered essential to one’s well-being, hence it is a priority

expense that is planned for and budgeted. It was no surprise that when the
results of the Department of Tourism’s recent travel survey came out, the number
one reason people gave for traveling domestically, even during the midst of the
pandemic, was for their sanity. Call it mental health, therapy or self-care—
traveling is widely seen as a panacea for the troubles of the mind and soul.

An entire year of the pandemic has taken its toll on our bodies, and whether or
not we feel physically sick, I know that the fear, anxiety and stress of living with
COVID-19 are lodged deep inside us.

Destinations should provide peace of mind by exuding a sense of safety, hence

the focus on promoting destinations products classified under nature-based
tourism, sun and beach, cultural and heritage tourism, and wellness tourism.
Likewise, it is important that our reopened destinations should be compliant with
the minimum health and safety protocols to prevent possible outbreaks due to
tourism.

Sources:
TD
SBRP’s article on Inquirer Lifestyle “Why Travelling Now is for Your Sanity”, 15
March 2021, Why traveling now is for your sanity | Inquirer Lifestyle

2. Next implication from the survey is that travel behavior has changed
thereby opening opportunities for introducing new travel products and
services. Are these shifts in behaviors significant nowadays and what do
you think are the most distinct new behaviors that the industry should
watch out for?
The survey results also showed that traveler preferences have also evolved, with
most respondents choosing outdoor activities in well-ventilated areas such as
going to the beach, hiking, and biking in their leisure travels.
Additionally, respondents prefer traveling with family members, with safety as the
primary reason. The survey also revealed that travelers also travelled closed to
home, hence land trips are popular among tourists.  
 The results showed that travelers also opt for more low density but high value
type of experience. Given these, niche markets will emerge due to the constant
shift in traveler behavior and expectation, and the tourism industry needs to adapt
in order to survive. This is what we are focusing on this year. We seize every
opportunity to assist our stakeholders through product and market development
and by supporting local government units as we restart tourism in a gradual and
safe manner.

Source: TD

3. I think the next finding raises a lot of concerns for travellers, Travel and
safety protocols need to be standardized – for example Cebu / Mactan had
issues on requirements for travellers, I’m sure a lot of other cities are also
concerned about this. What are your thoughts on this and recommendation
or advice you can give to the municipalities regarding this? 
Survey results showed that varying LGU protocols have been the top source of
travel inconvenience.
In relation to this, the IATF issued Resolution No. 101 Series of 2021 on 27
February 2021 which approves the implementation of simplified travel protocols
for all local government units to facilitate travel movement and promote local
tourism. The DOT deems the simplification of requirements as vital in
encouraging domestic travel and helping in the speedy recovery of Philippine
tourism. 

Under this Resolution, tourists are no longer required to present PNP Clearance,
Health Certificate, and Barangay Clearance prior to entry to their respective
destinations.

The DOT also defers to the decision of LGUs to require tests before travel.
According to IATF Resolution 101, “testing shall not be mandatory for travelers
except if the LGU of the destination will require testing as a requirement prior to
travel”. The COVID-19 test-before-travel is still required in most of our major
tourist destinations such as Boracay, Baguio El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesa
City, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

I am also happy to share that on March 18, the BIATF approved the saliva test
with the provision that it should be administered by the Philippine Red Cross
(PRC) and other testing laboratories that have been approved and accredited by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH).
The saliva test with PRC costs Php 2,000 and the results come out in 24 hours.
 Furthermore, “no traveler shall be required to undergo quarantine unless they
exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of destination”.

Minimum health and safety protocols such as physical distancing, handwashing,

wearing of face masks and face shields, and cough etiquette shall continue to be
strictly implemented in our destinations.

The standardization of travel requirements and protocols has been one of the
primary concerns of our domestic tourists, and while we welcome this decision
from the tourism standpoint, we wish to maintain that the safety of everyone must
come first to mind.

We have to make it clear that the decision to reopen domestic destinations

comes from the local executives, and it’s their prerogative to decide on when to
reopen their destinations and what testing options may be taken by tourists to
enter their respective jurisdictions.

The DOT continues to urge both municipal and provincial governments to further
tighten controls, more so in areas that have reopened to domestic tourists to
stem the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Sources:

TD

IATF Resolution No. 101 S. 2021

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2021/02feb/20210226-IATF-RESO-101-RRD.pdf

DOT Media Release dated 27 February 2021

DOT Media Release dated 18 March 2021

4.  The 4th finding is that Traveling can be personalized – I think this should be

a priority as well for the tourism industry as people want more value for
money. For Sec Berna – what recommendations can you give without
foregoing the importance of safety protocols for accommodations? 
For value-sensitive travelers, travel can be tailor-made to their needs.
This is why the DOT is intensifying its product and market development efforts to
give tourists more destination options when traveling in the new normal.
In connection with this, the DOT is now leading the development of inter and
intra-regional tourism circuits. An example of this is the Green Corridor Initiative,
the flagship domestic program of DOT Region 4A or CALABARZON, which will
be launched when it is safer to travel. A tourist going to Rizal may opt to focus on
art-related destinations, which is part of the province’s Faith, Food, Art,
Adventure and Nature tourism circuit.
Furthermore, the development of green corridors will play an important role in
maintaining regional biodiversity, protecting heritage and culture, and
jumpstarting the economy. CALABARZON is blessed with many open-air, nature
 and culture-based tourism sites that Filipinos can easily access from Metro
Manila through land travel, which is the most ideal way for Filipinos to travel
during this time.
5. PERSONAL QUESTION: Travel preferences have evolved – more people
like outdoor spaces / villas with their private pools, etc. What can you share
regarding your own preferences when travelling?

6. Ending question: Please share your advice and positive affirmations for the
tourism industry to stay strong and to hold on as we go through this all
together. (Note from Ms. Carmela: Sec Berna can also mention about the
Four Pillars of Travel in the Better Normal)

While the recent surge will affect visitor arrivals to our tourism spots, we have
learned much from the months in operation since the industry opened up to travel
again in the middle of last year.

As recommended by the Survey Report, we shall be following these four pillars

as we move forward with destination reopening:
1. Communicate and engage with the stakeholders on the evolving
landscape of Philippine tourism;
2. Bespoke/Customize or personalize travel as the new mainstream;
3. Diversify our tourism products by offering inter and intra-regional circuits;
4. Simplify and regain traveler confidence.

What is important is that we maintain the discipline that we have been

accustomed to ensure the safety of the tourists, workers, and the host
communities.

Policies and regulations have been established for every sector in the tourism
industry and we continuously inspect and validate their proper implementation.

We want to help destinations get back on their feet by providing livelihood. At the
same time, we also recognize the importance of ensuring that the health and
safety protocols are in place.

As we approach the summer season, we remind traveling Filipinos to be mindful

of the importance of following the minimum public health standards and other
requirements coming from the IATF and LGUs.

For those in NCR+, we have curated a set of virtual tours this coming Holy Week,
which will be shared in our social media platforms. We urge everyone here to
stay at home as much as possible so we can get thru this enhanced community
quarantine quickly and successfully.