Palawan, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, where you can find astonishing white sands, breath-taking mountains, and crystal-clear waters, is currently facing its major downfall as its main livelihood becomes jeopardized due to the crisis brought by COVID-19.
According to Inquirer.net’s report, with the global impact brought by the COVID-19 crisis, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez is thinking of strengthening domestic tourism and agriculture. Local officials were also told to deliberate on other “emerging” industries that may compensate for the tourism loss.
According to The Philippine STAR’s interview with Mark Anthony Genon, a tour guide, he chose to go home to Quezon town, Palawan to be with his family when the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed over Luzon and other areas in March.
As a freelance tour guide, Genon relied chiefly on bookings by travel agencies and resorts he was in contact with. The bookings did not come regularly. “Hindi po regular, depende kung tawagan kami… minsan dinadaan sa popularity at siyempre kapag masipag ka,” he told The Philippine STAR.
As the Philippines grapples with Covid-19, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has projected a loss of revenue of about US$849 million between February and April 2020. The figures were based on the Department’s data over the past three years, according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Puyat also said that the DOT will promote multi-destination and summer packages as soon as the outbreak calms down to recuperate the lost revenues. The department has been working closely with major airlines in an attempt to introduce more discounted accommodation rates, marked-down prices for domestic flights, and value-added tour packages, Puyat added.
References:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1270066/domestic-tourism-seen-to-help-palawan-recover
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