The Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project

The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) invites everyone to go on an ambient sound trip and experience a destination through the distinct sounds that can be heard when all is quiet. 

 

In launching the “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project, the DOT aims to bring people to certain destinations through ASMR videos that explore the natural sounds of a place, allowing one to tune into nature and be fully present in the moment.

 

The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (QJEP) defines Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as a “special perceptual phenomenon in which some people can experience a tingling, static-like sensation in response to some certain auditory or visual stimulations”. It brings a pleasant feeling that one experiences in response to certain sounds, visuals, feelings, or descriptions. The sensation leads to contentment and relaxation.

 

“This project of the DOT is anchored on the concept that, when people travel, they go ‘sightseeing’, but it is with their ears that they hear and sense things all around them. Through these videos, people get to share with the travel experience,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

 

The Municipality of Barlig in Mountain Province offers a captivating view of the world famous rice terraces. Photo by @celluloidmanila, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

 

The initial four ASMR videos that will be launched feature the Mountain Province in the Cordilleras, particularly the remote town of Barlig located at the foothills of Mt. Amuyao and the journey to the summit of the mountain. 

 

With Mountain Province currently under Alert Level 4, and the rest of the country under the observation of different alert level restrictions, these videos will allow viewers to experience the grandeur of Mountain Province no matter where they are, through their video devices.

 

The trail to the peak of Mt. Amuyao, the highest point of Mountain Province. Photo by @celluloidmanila, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

 

The first video for the Mountain Province series, featuring a walk in the serene town of Barlig and its amazing terraces, has already been launched on DOT’s YouTube channel and can be accessed through this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjJeD2qsshyH_uDuKLjassvLUulHCwKmS. This is the first of several ASMR video series. The succeeding video series will explore Ilocos Norte, then destinations in Visayas and Mindanao.

 

Located at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Saud Beach was hailed as one of the Travel + Leisure’s list of 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

 

Recorded using Ambisonics, the audio is captured in a 360-degree sphere from the position of the microphone. This immersive experience teleports the viewer/listener to the environment. One can leave this on in the background as unobtrusive, calming noises throughout the day.

 

For best experience, use open back headphones, but any headphones, earphones, or earbuds will also work. 

 

All ASMR videos can be accessed through the DOT official YouTube channel. Subscribe to get updates when new videos are uploaded.

Nissan and DOT demonstrate safe and responsible land travel with Aklan drive and Boracay event

 

Now in its second year, Nissan in the Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT) restore hope and optimism in the tourism industry with the renewal of their partnership for Safe Trips campaign. 

 

The campaign promotes safe and responsible travel to support the revival of the tourism industry after the quarantine lockdowns.  

 

For Safe Trips’ next chapter, Nissan aims to intensify efforts in supporting local businesses and ramping up awareness on sustainable tourism. Set against the backdrop of Boracay’s pristine white sands, the Japanese automaker and the DOT celebrated this milestone with a ceremonial signing followed by a press conference with select motoring, travel, and lifestyle media.

 

“Through this campaign, we have seen for ourselves that safety and responsibility are not obstacles to enjoying the beautiful destinations of the Philippines. In fact, they are important factors that make your trip a more enjoyable experience for you and your loved ones. This is an advocacy that we are excited to continue with the DOT,” shares Atsushi Najima, President And Managing Director of Nissan Philippines.

On the path to recovery

Since its launch in November 2020, Nissan and the DOT have developed educational and promotional content on how to safely and responsibly travel to local tourist destinations. This includes social media content that provides useful tips for land travel and updates on reopened attractions.

 

“The Department of Tourism gladly welcomes the renewal of its Safe Trips partnership with Nissan Philippines to continue the push to revive our tourism industry safely and responsibly. As more people travel to our tourist destinations all over the country, jobs and sustainable livelihoods are restored and created for millions of Filipinos,” shares Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who attended the ceremonial signing virtually.

 

Together with the DOT, select media, and influencers, Nissan made the 12-hour land and sea journey to Boracay Island in the updated Nissan line-up of vehicles to promote and demonstrate long distance land travel as a fun and exciting way to reach popular local destinations. The road trip featured the Nissan Navara, Terra, Almera, and LEAF, each equipped with Nissan Intelligent Mobility features that represent the brand’s focus on safety and comfort, making them the perfect companions for any type of journey.

 

Towards a sustainable future

The Safe Trips campaign also takes a turn towards sustainability with Nissan providing a demonstration of its Nissan LEAF electric vehicle (EV) in Boracay for hotel executives, members of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), DOT, and the local government leaders of Aklan.

 

As part of this new chapter in its Safe Trips campaign, the brand brings the Nissan LEAF to Boracay in an effort to advance sustainable tourist destinations. 

 

With the capability of Nissan EVs to act as mobile storage batteries, Nissan shows how EV technology can also be a part of the tourism industry’s future by providing solutions in areas such as ecotourism as well as disaster resilience.

 

A message of care

To mark the next phase of the Safe Trips campaign, Nissan Philippines recently released an original song, entitled “Ingat Kayo,” a song that highlights the Filipino culture of care and concern. Brought to life in a music video performed by renowned OPM artists Barbie Almalbis and Noel Cabangon, and written by Rolando Navarro, Nissan’s General Manager for Sales, both the song and the music video convey the universal message of care expressed in 7 distinct languages from around the country.

 

“Safety is embedded in Nissan’s DNA. It is also an expression of how we care for our customers and stakeholders. This uplifting song perfectly encapsulates who we are as a company and how our actions enrich the lives of every Filipino,” shares Najima. The music video for Ingat Kayo can be seen on Nissan Philippines’ YouTube channel.

 

To know more about Nissan Safe Trips, visit the Nissan Philippines Newsroom. And for more information about Nissan’s vehicles, visit nissan.ph.

 

Be an “Ambassador of Fun” and promote your hometown’s tourist attractions using various social media platforms

Coinciding with the recent launch of the More Fun Awaits Campaign, the Department of Tourism (DOT) calls on Filipinos to be “Ambassadors of Fun” and promote their hometown’s tourist attractions using various social media platforms.

This is part of the DOT’s crowdsourcing campaign wherein netizens will become tour guides of their locale by posting their own virtual tours or sharing their own photos on their recommended destination, activity, or dishes. 

 

The campaign aims to build interest on local destinations by assigning a weekly theme, such as must-visit destination, must-try activity, or must-sample cuisine, which will be the basis for the posts. It will tap both ordinary netizens and local content creators as ambassadors of fun. 

                          Coron, Palawan. Photo by Ryan Ramal (@layag.palawan)

 

For netizens, they can choose a platform—Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—where they will post a photo or video of the destination/cuisine/activities in their area that they think should be experienced by tourists. The post should include the hashtags #MoreFunAwaits and #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines and must tag the official DOT social media pages.

 

Selected posts will be featured on DOT’s social media pages or used as part of promotional campaigns for international tourists.

                     Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Photo by Sab (@sabrinuuuuuh)

 

The DOT has also collaborated with local content creators from from different regions to share what’s new in their respective locales, such as the changes since the pre-pandemic period, new places or dishes they have discovered, and customs and traditions that continue to flourish or had been given a new twist to adapt to the new normal.

 

With more ambassadors of fun, the DOT sees the collaborative campaign as an effective way to show tourists, both local and foreign, what More Fun Awaits on their next trips to the different destinations in the country.

 

For more information about the More Fun Awaits campaign, and travel updates and advisories about the Philippines, visit www.morefunawaits.com. 

 

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the More Fun Awaits campaign

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched the More Fun Awaits campaign to strengthen the Philippines’ positioning as a top-of-mind tourist destination in the global market once international leisure travel to the country resumes. 

More Fun Awaits showcases the preparations that the DOT has been carrying out while tourism has been put on hold because of the pandemic. The campaign is focused on communicating exciting destinations to visit, starting with those that have been ready to welcome local tourists and have minimum health and safety protocols in place. 

It also includes new tourism products and circuits that have been developed by the DOT, in coordination with private sector tourism stakeholders and various local government units (LGUs), based on travelers' preferences in the new normal.

 

Aside from the sun and beach tourist destinations that the country is well-known for, the campaign puts a spotlight on new and enhanced bike tours, dive circuits, farm and food tourism circuits, hiking and trekking, and outdoor museums through historical and cultural tours, among others. These cater to tourists’ new normal preference for outdoor activities and well-ventilated areas.

 

The campaign is supported by www.morefunawaits.com, a newly launched website by the DOT that contains videos of breathtaking sceneries around the country, travel articles, and infographics to entice tourists to consider the Philippines as their next travel destination in Asia once travel restrictions have been lifted.

 

“The More Fun Awaits campaign will sustain the presence of the Philippines as a tourist destination amidst the pandemic, while getting foreign travelers excited for what’s in-store for them once borders for tourism reopen,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

             View from the peak of the well-known Mt. Apo in Davao. Photo courtesy of Aya Lowe for 

the Department of Tourism

It will also feature a crowd-sourced campaign that invites Filipinos to become tour guides of their hometown, either by posting their own virtual tours on social media, or sharing their own photos of their recommended destinations, activities, or dishes. Posts must include the hashtag #MoreFunAwaits and those selected will be shared in the social media pages of the DOT. 

At the heart of the campaign are stories about tourism workers and advocates who have contributed to the recovery of the industry, which can be found in the More Fun Awaits website and the DOT’s social media platforms. These stories emphasize the need to remind both local and foreign tourists that tourism is not just the act of travel, it is also about livelihood and supporting the lives affected by the pandemic. 

 

“Travel is more than just a personal experience. The heart of tourism are the workers and the communities who make the experience possible,” said Puyat.

 

WTTC GLOBAL SUMMIT

The Tourism Secretary added that in communicating that the country has been preparing to welcome international visitors, the More Fun Awaits campaign will help boost the anticipation of the Philippines’ hosting of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit. 

 

Through the campaign, the DOT can already share its ongoing efforts for current global concerns on health and safety, environmental sustainability, and local community engagement in tourist destinations—issues that are likely to be at the core of discussions at the Global Summit.

 

SAFETY IS DOT’S PRIORITY

Puyat also explained that “through the More Fun Awaits campaign, we want to communicate that the Philippines prioritizes the safety and well-being of visitors, as many of our tourism establishments are compliant with global safety standards, and a large percentage of our tourism workers are already vaccinated.” 

 

As of September 14, 2021, the Department has issued the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp to three local tourism destinations—Baguio City, Boracay Island, and Ilocos Norte—and 200 DOT-accredited accommodation establishments nationwide. The WTTC Safe Travel Stamp is the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp for travelers to recognize governments and businesses that have adopted global health standardized protocols. 

 

Meanwhile, the inoculation of tourism workers is ongoing in different parts of the country, especially in major tourism areas, including the National Capital Region where 99% of tourism workers in DOT-accredited hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as 94% of tourism workers in accredited restaurants have had their anti-COVID jabs.  Nationwide, 51% of tourism workers have already been vaccinated.

 

“We are optimistic that the More Fun Awaits campaign, and all our efforts since the pandemic started, will be sustained as the tourism industry recovers under safe conditions,” said Puyat.

 

For more updates about the More Fun Awaits campaign and the latest information and travel advisories about the Philippines, visit www.morefunawaits.com.  

 

Huawei partners with DOT to showcase the PH world-class tourist spot

HUAWEI has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) today to promote the Philippines' tourist destinations, arts and culture to its more than 600 million users around the world.

 

Attendees present at the signing ceremony were Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo, and Huawei Hong Kong Service COO, Mr. Wang Zhihui.

 

The partnership aims to showcase the Philippines' world-class tourist spots, Filipino products and tourism-related events to HUAWEI Themes users in over 170 countries and regions. Under the MoU, HUAWEI Themes users can explore the Philippines curation series now under the “Pinoy Favorites” category on the app homepage. 

 

The DOT will be the photo contributor under this partnership to provide source images related to the Philippines’ arts and culture. Among others, the popular tourist destinations in the Philippines such as beaches, islands, heritage towns, and deep seas will be featured in the app. Moving forward, DOT will also offer domestic tourism vouchers for hotels, attractions and tours to HUAWEI Themes users. 

 

In her speech, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed her gratitude to Huawei for supporting the DOT's efforts in handling the pandemic's effect on the tourism industry by lending its wide reach of smartphone users.

 

"Our strategy for the safe and gradual reopening of tourism in the Philippines will be greatly supported by this digital content partnership as it will offer Huawei users anywhere in the world with glimpses of our country's beautiful destinations and allow them to customize their mobile devices with images of our tourism offerings," Romulo-Puyat said. The Tourism Secretary hopes that through this project, Huawei smartphone users will be inspired to visit the Philippines once the government resumes international travel. 

 

Meanwhile, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo emphasized that Huawei's collaboration with the DOT is in line with the "glocalization" approach of Huawei Philippines and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). "Huawei has established an extensive cooperation with the government, local businesses and communities, to continuously bring innovative digital services to consumers and create greater social values," he said.

 

"Through the collaboration, we will curate a series of Philippines-centric wallpapers and smartphone themes, including the scenery landscapes and tourist attractions of the Philippines, as well as creative themes created by local artists, photographers, cartoonists and animators," Daniel Guo added.

 

The MoU will not only help promote beautiful places in the Philippines but will also open a door of opportunity for talented Filipinos. Mobile themes created by passionate marine environment artist AG Saño and digital artists Mariel Garcia, Nelvin Supilanas, Rehts Merejilla and Mark Magnaye are now available in HUAWEI Themes.

 

HUAWEI Themes is one of the first self-developed apps by HMS, In 2020, it achieved over 1.8 billion total themes download. By end of 2020, 96% of the PH local top apps, including Gcash, Paymaya, BDO Digital Banking, UnionBank Online, and SSS Mobile, have integrated with HMS Core and onboarded to AppGallery. 

 

Through the open HMS Ecosystem, Huawei shares a number of innovative capabilities with its partners from various sectors, including tourism, which enable high-quality, convenient and safe applications to reach every Huawei device user in a more direct way. Through this, Huawei is able to lower the connectivity cost and expand service coverage, bringing modern digital services to a wider user base. By providing localized service applications in more countries and regions, Huawei makes All-Scenario services more accessible to users, jointly improving service efficiency and digitization level of services.

 

DOT lauds Bohol's efforts in setting up this year's annual Ubi Festival

The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds the Provincial Government of Bohol's efforts in setting up this year's annual Ubi Festival under the new normal. 

 

Running until February 24, the festival, which has been celebrated since year 2000, is proof of the Boholanos’ love for Ubi or purple yam. The root crop was revered as a “savior crop” as its discovery led to the alleviation of hunger in the province during pre-Hispanic times. Now, it has become a staple food for Boholanos because of its taste, long shelf-life, and the many food varieties that can be made from it.

 

As the largest producer of ubi in the country, Bohol is home to many ubi farmers who turn to the root crop for their livelihood. With this year's theme, “Pagpananum ug Ubi Napuslan, Kagutom Na Dala Sa Covid19 Nabatukan,” the festival aims to celebrate the root crop that has become an agro-historical-geographical-religious symbol for the province and highlight the impact and contributions of ubi farmers. 

 

Photo from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist - Bohol

 

As part of the festival, a showcase of a variety of Ubi products like ube jams and ube-based bibingka, ice cream, and bread can be found at the Old City Airport in Tagbilaran City. The venue strictly implements health and safety protocols to assure festival-goers of an easy and memorable experience. Other cultural activities, exhibits, and seminars are also held to honor the root crop this month.

 

From festivals, gorgeous sights, and fun-filled activities, there’s definitely a Bohol destination for everyone. While it is famous for the Chocolate Hills, Bohol also offers other attractions that families, groups, and even solo travelers can enjoy. 

 

Scenic views and ecotourism sites

Photo courtesy of Paul Gotiong

 

When one speaks of Bohol, the Chocolate Hills cannot be left out. These 1,776 individual hills spread across six towns have attracted tourists from many generations for their uniqueness and vastness. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, a place dedicated to saving the lives of endangered tarsiers, is also open for those who want to learn more about these small nocturnal primates.

 

Action-packed activities

Photo courtesy of Nataniel Luperte

 

Bohol also has something for adrenaline junkies. If you prefer seeing the Chocolate Hills up close, ATV rentals are available in the Carmen area. Those who want more action-packed activities can head to the Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park for zipline and cable car rides. If you prefer water activities, you can also opt for stand-up paddle boarding tours or experience a water bike adventure. 

 

White-sand beaches

Bohol is also known for its white-sand beaches and clear waters. The Alona beach is a stunning 1.5km stretch of white-sand beach famous for being a must-visit spot for those who love snorkeling, scuba diving, or even those who just like to relax and watch the sunset. Travelers can also island-hop to Balicasag and Virgin islands to explore Bohol’s marine life. If you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of dolphins in the area.

 

Variety of accommodations

Tourism comprises 70% of the livelihood in Bohol, so there is no wonder that several hotels and resorts are available in the area. Whether you choose accommodations in the municipality of Panglao or Dauis, these hotels are committed to providing top-notch service and hospitality, especially during these times. Temperature checks, QR code scanning, plated meals, and rearranged eating areas are just some of the adjustments made by accommodations to ensure that travelers are assured of a safe environment during their stay. 

 

Hassle-free travel

Do-it-yourself travels are currently not allowed in Bohol. This means that everything you plan to do while on the island should be pre-booked--from accommodations and transportation to tour arrangements. This makes sightseeing around the island hassle-free. This also makes it easier for the provincial government to implement systems to curb the virus’s spread while ensuring that tourists get to fully enjoy the island’s beauty. 

 

Before planning a visit to Bohol, travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before their arrival, pre-booked accommodations at a DOT/LGU-accredited establishment, travel itinerary, and registration in the Province of Bohol website at tourism.bohol.gov.ph for the issuance of personal QR codes that will serve as electronic IDs. 

 

Tourists coming from Metro Manila are encouraged to apply for the subsidized RT-PCR test at the UP-Philippine General or Philippine Children's Medical Center for as low as PHP900 and PHP750, respectively. To avail of the 50% discount from either of the two medical institutions, visit the Tourism Promotions Board website at www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel.

 

As of February 2, 2021, Bohol allows the use of saliva RT-PCR tests in place of nasal and throat swabs.

 

For up-to-date information on open destinations and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

 

For more information on traveling to Bohol, contact the Department of Tourism or visit philippines.travel/safetrip/bohol.