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| A virtual stakeholders' meeting discussing efforts in boosting tourism and economic recovery in the province of Bohol (Image Source: Adobo Magazine/AirAsia Philippines) |
In its efforts to help boost tourism and economic recovery in the province of Bohol, AirAsia participated in a meeting spearheaded by Bohol Governor Hon. Arthur C. Yap to discuss "Prospects For Bohol Tourism In The Context Of Current Realities In The War Against COVID-19. The said meeting held virtually on May 24, 2021 was attended by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Hon. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Maj. Gen. Mel Feliciano representing the Philippines' Vaccine Czar Hon. Sec. Carlito Valvez Jr., Presidential Advisor on Entrepreneurship Hon. Sec. Joey Concepcion, airline executives and business leaders from the hotels and resorts industry.
The provincial government of Bohol shared its extensive plans on recovery and best practices in the implementation of bubble tourism which could also be a benchmark for other tourism and leisure destinations in the country. “Fifteen months into the pandemic, COVID remains to be the defining local and global issue that has dominated our lives daily. For Bohol, the impact has been devastating with at least 200,000 Boholanos gravely and directly impacted by the tourism meltdown but balancing economic as well as health priorities has always been at the top of Bohol’s concerns," said Gov. Yap. "We are prepared for the day that we will reopen our doors to local and foreign visitors alike through creating a contact tracing card, by legislating an Ultimate Bohol Experience Seal to benchmark establishments with the standards of the new normal, and reaching out to assist tourism sub-sectors to work with them and prepare them for the reopening of Bohol to tourism soonest.”
Meanwhile, the DOT is taking the lead on the call to inoculate tourism frontliners as well as to adopt uniform protocols under a digital platform to ensure seamless travel for tourists. “The success of the vaccination campaign will be a big step towards the recovery of the tourism industry. There is no other way to ensure the tourism sector’s survival and recovery but to vaccinate every tourism frontliner," Romulo-Puyat said. “The standardization of travel protocols can be achieved faster if we all work together towards the implementation of new tourism practices. We have learned that digitalizing vast aspects of tourism operations is no longer optional but a necessity. Without a doubt, digital technology will be increasingly important to our recovery and to attaining the better normal that we seek,” she added.
Since Bohol's reopening in December 2020, AirAsia has flown a number of media personalities and celebrity influencers including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray along with over 36,000 passengers to stimulate demand for the reboot of local tourism, and it continues to fly essential travelers every week such as the Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) and Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR). AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said, “COVID-19 has disrupted the industry, our operations, and even our daily routines. From a public health crisis, it has also introduced itself as an economic downturn. This however has pushed us in AirAsia to reimagine the future of travel and what we’ve come to realize is that much innovation and collaboration is needed. We are grateful for the government’s support through incentives extended to airlines as well as the prioritization of tourism frontliners in the vaccination program." “Our enhanced digital platforms as well as our established partnerships with key stakeholders in Bohol are equally important in providing support to uplift those in the travel, tourism, and logistics industries and to bring in new opportunities for them. Even amidst the pandemic, Bohol remains as one of the top preferred destinations in the Philippines, with potential to draw in the biggest market segments,” Isla added.
To further stimulate economic activity in the tourism and services sectors, Secretary Concepcion is proposing greater mobility among those who have been fully vaccinated. Apart from opening green lanes, he said that the only way to rebuild confidence among tourists is to have a clear strategy on vaccination. For Concepcion, "the vaccine is the only solution in saving both lives and livelihood." AirAsia flies five times weekly to Panglao International Airport in the province of Bohol. Book for your preferred tourist destination via the AirAsia super app or through airasia.com.
