BI sees more tourist arrivals

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is expecting more tourists to visit the country after the government lifted the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR requirement and travel insurance for arriving travelers.

Beginning yesterday, negative RT-PCR tests are no longer required for arriving passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other major airports, provided that they are fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot.

“With this development, travel will be easier amid the pandemic. We hope that this will boost the number of international arrivals in the next few months,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

During the summer season, the BI posted an average of 15,000 tourist arrivals per day.

“Tourist arrivals have steadily increased since February,” Morente said.

Based on the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, children aged 12 to 17 and those below 12 can enter the Philippines regardless of their vaccination status.

“We hope that the international tourism sector will flourish again as we move toward the new normal,” Morente said.