The Department of Tourism (DOT) is encouraging Filipinos to travel within the country amid the possible impact of tensions in the Middle East on the decline of inbound tourists.
In an interview, DOT Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Czarina Zara-Loyola said they are aware of the current challenges involving fuel prices, which could affect how and when people choose to travel.
She added that tourism remains an important source of livelihood for millions of Filipinos.
Because of this, the agency is calling on the public to travel responsibly.
This includes choosing nearby destinations, supporting local products, and helping sustain communities that rely on tourism.
Finally, the agency said that amid rising expenses, Filipinos are encouraged to “travel smart” and “travel local.”
Exploring one’s own regions, she noted, not only makes travel more practical but also strengthens the local economy and supports communities that benefit from tourism.
(PHOTO COURTESY: Malay-Boracay Tourism Office)
