The Philippines is finally opening up to foreign tourists after imposing a two-year ban on travelers. The move is a shot in the arm that the sector, and the whole economy for that matter, badly needs.
Beginning Feb. 10, foreign travelers from 157 countries with visa-free arrangements with the Philippines, and who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for the virus, are free to travel to this Southeast Asian nation, without quarantine requirement upon arrival.
The easing of the travel ban sends a message to foreign tourists—the Philippines has contained the virus’ spread and it is safe to visit domestic destinations given the declining daily COVID-19 cases in the country and the wide vaccination coverage of local workers in the sector.
The Philippines was ready to welcome foreign tourists starting Dec. 1 last year but the government had to scrap the plan as the more virulent Omicron variant of the virus began to spread outside of the country.
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, however, is more confident this time around. The country’s tourism force is nearly fully vaccinated. Over 92 percent of the nation’s 349, 534 tourism workers have received their jabs, while some tourist destinations like Baguio City, Coron and El Nido have a 100-percent vaccination rate among their workers.
The tourism sector is one of the hardest-hit economic sectors in the Philippines when the pandemic started in early 2019. The foreign travel ban brought domestic airlines, hotels and other tourist establishments to their knees. Millions lost their jobs as the travel business virtually shut down. Communities hosting famous beach and island resorts lost their livelihood, exacerbating unemployment and poverty in the countryside.
But the return of foreign travelers will certainly have a positive impact on the economy. Tourism directly creates jobs—from increased local airline crew and hotel and resort staff to business opportunities in travel destinations. More importantly, the revival of the tourism business signals the return to normal, which every nation is trying to achieve.