PH to level up food safety standards in tourism

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora 

 MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday formally partnered with the Food Safety & Hygiene Academy of the Philippines (FoodSHAP) to level up its accreditation process in the area of food safety.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two parties was signed by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and FoodSHAP Managing Director Elsie Gatpayat,

Under the MOA, FoodSHAP will offer sponsorship and advocacies in tourism by providing training, assistance, and information to concerned DOT officers and stakeholders free of charge.

This would also include programs on foundations of food safety, basic food safety for food handlers, principles in practice, and other food safety programs that may be identified.

The DOT will receive regular reports and updates as well as request the data or information to enhance educational programming and assist in the development of its accreditation standards.

Romulo-Puyat said the partnership is timely as the Philippines slowly reopens its destinations in accordance with strict health protocols imposed by the government.

"By increasing consumer confidence and patronizing food and beverage outlets, we will spur economic recovery and revitalize the tourism industry," she said.

Gatpayat, meanwhile, said the partnership reflects FoodSHAP's commitment to supporting the development of a "food safety culture" in the Philippines.

"As we are now in the new normal and the tourism sector is significantly hit by the pandemic, promoting the Philippines as a safe destination in the next coming months would be challenging while maintaining international standards," she said.

"As a social enterprise, we are enjoined to live up to our advocacies despite all the challenges brought by the pandemic and that is to raise the awareness of food handlers on food safety," she added. (PNA)

 

Boom in nature-based tourism seen under new normal

By Joyce Ann L. Recamora

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan (Photo: City government of Puerto Princesa)

MANILA – As tourism gradually reopens, the demand for nature-based tourism is likely to increase as people look for safer alternatives in selecting destinations to visit, Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said Thursday.

This said, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is ramping up its efforts to develop new tourism products that would cater to the travelers' preferences amid the pandemic.

"We're working on product development kasi kailangan mag-develop tayo ng mga bagong produkto na angkop sa requirements ng mga travelers under the new normal kasi makikita natin na there is a greater preference for lower density, high-value, mas maraming mga outdoor types of tours (We're working on product development because we need new ones that are fit to the needs of travelers under the new normal. We see that there is a greater preference for lower density, high-value products, majority wants outdoor types of tours)," he said during Thursday’s Laging Handa briefing.

Bengzon is optimistic the Philippines would be able to draw domestic tourists, even foreigners once travel restrictions are eased. He said such preference among travelers could work to the Philippines' advantage given its numerous nature-based assets.

Just recently, the Philippines was recognized as the world's leading dive destination, beating top dive spots such as Azores Islands, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Maldives, and Mexico.

Aside from its promising sites underwater, the country also offers idyllic resort islands, including Palawan, Boracay, and Siargao Island, which was recently cited as one of the best 2021 holiday destinations by Condé Nast Traveller.

Bengzon said the DOT is also banking on local travel to drive the industry's recovery. This as he noted that tourism revenues from domestic travel alone reached PHP3.1 trillion in 2019, much higher than inbound which was pegged at PHP548.8 billion in the same year.

"Mga 85 percent of total tourism revenues are from domestic tourism. So we're also confident na mapapabilis ang recovery ng ating industriya kung matutulungan natin itong mga local enterprises natin (Around 85 percent of total tourism revenues in 2019 are from domestic tourism. So we're also confident that we'll be able to fast-track the industry's recovery if we're going to help our local enterprises)," he said.

Months after the first lockdown was imposed, several Philippine destinations started welcoming tourists, but with certain travel requirements such as the "test-before-travel" rule. (PNA)