Tourism officials said on late Monday (Nov 23) that the Philippines is looking at establishing air travel bubble arrangements with other countries across Asia, as neighboring countries of the Philippines began to relax travel restrictions after implementing nation-wide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19.

In an interview, Department of Tourism (DOT) undersecretary Mr. Bong Benzon has confirmed that the tourism department has done some preparatory work to include more or less destination in Southeast Asia or at least Asia into the travel bubble plan, which is likely to involve resorts destinations as well.

However, he did not disclose when the plan will start and which countries can be involved, but this is only part of the country’s efforts to further revitalize the hard-hit tourism industry. So far, travel bubble arrangements, in which regions can open their borders to each other to allow passengers to move freely, have been limited to domestic destinations.

On Monday (Nov 23), Siargao in Surigao Del Norte, considered the surfing capital of the country, has reopened its borders to tourists after the reopening of Baguio City and Boracay last month.

All domestic destinations are open to all Filipinos. International travelers are still restricted. But the department is hoping that overtime it will be able to see the rise in the number of Filipinos moving around. Siargao is the gem of the destination. Domestic tourism accounts for about 80 per cent to 85 per cent of total tourism revenue.

Under the Bayanihan 2 law, the Philippine government has allocated about PHP 10 billion to support the reopening of local tourist destinations. About PHP 6 billion were designated as capital loans for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and PHP 3 billion were provided as financial assistance to displaced tourism workers.

As the agency sees more travel bubbles in other parts of the United States, Mr. Benzo urges tourists and local government departments (LGUs) to stay ware against the risk of the COVID-19.

“It is also important for travelers to maintain a certain level of discipline. To be patient, to be cooperative in the implementation of health and safety protocols,” he said.

In regard to COVID-19 transmission in the Philippines, the country has reported a total number of 421,722 confirmed cases which are under treatment and 8,185 patients have lost their lives due to the virus. However, 386,792 patients who tested positive to COVID-19 have completely recovered from the virus, as of Tuesday (Nov 24).