DOT offers incentives to OFWs who bring guests

MANILA, Philippines — To increase the number of tourists in the country this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will soon give overseas Filipino workers (OFW) an incentive if they bring guests along with them.

It will also launch this year a mobile application to make it easier for tourists to connect with accredited “tourism establishments for accommodation, food, shopping, rides to accredited transportation, tour operators, and tour guides.”

This is aside from the plan to open 10 “tourist service rest areas” across the country, which should make it easier for differently abled persons to enjoy their stay in the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, who presented the agency’s proposed budget for 2023 during deliberation at the House of Representatives last Wednesday, said the incentive program for OFWs, dubbed as Bisita Be My (BBM) Guest Program, would be launched this year.

Under the program, OFWs who bring guests to the Philippines will get a chance at the raffle prizes offered by the agency.

“We will be providing them with a travel passport they can use to go across key destinations, get stamps, and claim a prize at the airport; this will also give them a privilege card that would provide them with discounts in accredited establishments across the country,” Frasco said.

The DOT will partner with other agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers, in implementing the BBM Guest Program.

Frasco disclosed the DOT’s plan to develop the Tourist Lifecycle App, which would also show data like how long a tourist could stay in a particular tourist spot and how much to spend.

DOT plans to open 10 “tourist service rest areas” across the country, which will feature tourist information centers and pasalubong centers as well as facilities for disabled persons.

“These areas will serve the travelers in need of accommodation, information, safety and security,” Frasco pointed out.

The programs, she added, include plans to improve land and sea tourist facilities and prioritize the health and safety of tourists.

During the budget hearing, Frasco asked for P3.573 billion to fund the DOT, Intramuros Administration, National Parks Development Committee and the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, which is currently transitioning as a DOT-attached agency.