The Department of Tourism is putting up tourism rest areas across the country to spur tourism and convince more people to travel.
Secretary Christina Frasco said giving tourists premium treatment is an act of goodwill and reflects the host country’s desire to give the best experience to visitors.
“The establishment of the TRA fulfills DOT’s objectives in improving the overall tourist experience. It ensures that our tourists feel comfortable in their journey as they travel across the country,” she said.
The DOT aims to build 25 TRAs, with an initial 10 already in construction. Three of them are already open.
From the first TRA in Medellin, Cebu, the DOT broke ground for facilities in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon; Samal Island in Davao del Norte; the towns of Carcar, Carmen and Moalboal in Cebu; Dauis in Bohol; Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte; Roxas in Palawan; and Baguio City.
The first TRA, inaugurated in the sugarcane town of Medellin, is a cozy pit stop for tourists traveling to the northern part of Cebu. In between travels, TRA Medellin offers free services, including the use of charging station and lounges for short rest.
The DOT also launched the second TRA in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon and the third facility recently opened in Samal Island.
The President identified TRA as among the priority programs of the administration and a flagship project of the DOT. It serves as a convergence point where foreign and local travelers could approach for information on tourism sites and attractions, activities and accommodations; reporting concerns related to safety and security; and gaining access to other provisions necessary during their stay at a destination.
The TRAs are equipped with features that will come in handy for travelers including clean restrooms, shower area, lounge area, pasalubong or souvenir center and charging stations.
The TRAs are conceptualized and undertaken in collaboration with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the DOT’s infrastructure bureau.
“Every detail of a tourist journey is important to the Department of Tourism, and that is why we decided to address one of the most basic necessities of travel – clean and decent restrooms and information center and pasalubong center,” Frasco said.
The TRAs are envisioned to support the DOT’s goal to increase tourism arrivals, year-on-year, and sustain the sector’s growth trajectory. The DOT is confident about achieving its goal of recording 4.8 million foreign tourists in 2023 and 7.7 million in 2024.
Data from the DOT showed that as of Aug. 13, 2023, international visitor arrivals in the Philippines reached 3.41 million, representing 70.34 percent of the baseline target arrival for the whole year.
The World Tourism Barometer of the UN World Tourism Organization showed that in May 2023, the Philippines’ recovery rate was about 66.33 percent and surpassed the 2022 average growth of 54 percent in Asia Pacific.
International tourism receipts also reached P285 billion in the first half of 2023.
The DOT said it is committed to aggressively pursuing its target and promoting the enhanced tourism slogan “Love the Philippines.”
“We are also very positive about the sustained progress and development of the industry as we gather more support from various stakeholders in our continuing pursuit to maximize the contribution of tourism to the lives of millions of Filipinos,” Frasco said.
