THE recent Philippine International Travel Exchange (Phitex) 2021 brought a bit of good news to the tourism industry. The well-respected president of the Philippine Tour Operators Association Cesar Cruz declared that domestic tourism would likely “take off” before the end of the year, granted of course that there will no longer be any hard lockdowns.
He also said that even if many leisure destinations still have requirements like going online for travelers to get their QR code registrations, or submitting negative RT-PCR test results, people yearning to escape the city where Covid-19 cases have yet to cease are willing to accept these requirements and additional costs. It is no longer a case of financial ability but a desire for mental health, and the need to bond with family and friends, I would guess.
So I asked a few travel experts, some of who participated in the recent hybrid Phitex 2021, which was held at the Subic Bay free port, where they would first go when travel restrictions have eased, or when the pandemic is finally behind us, and we are all protected from the dreaded virus.
Here is what they said:
Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones—COO, Tourism Promotions Board and Phitex organizer: I’m going home to Naga City for a well-deserved recharging respite. On top of my list is a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, as “Ina” has been my constant source of fortitude, hope and protection through the long dark nights of our lockdowns.
And usually, friends and food go together when I’m in Naga, where breakfast of binutong and crispy fried abu with a cup of tsokolate, spills over to buffet lunch lined with kinunot, Bicol express, cocidong lapu-lapu, laing, and adobong pusit in coconut milk, and literally just changing tables and plates for a hearty dinner of oriental lumpia and lomi in Rolando’s Cafe at Villa Caceres Hotel.
Aileen Clemente—Chair and President, Rajah Travel Corp.: I will still prefer to go to the US and stay in a place where there is a vast acreage of open space, but still near any of my siblings in the East Coast, so I can plan mini trips in between, without exposure to high-density potential Covid-19 locations. In the Philippines, I’ll probably stay and rent an island or a portion of an island—any, as long as it’s not too dense.
Randi Alampay—Faculty, University of the Philippines-Asian Institute of Tourism: Gina and I are celebrating a milestone anniversary (30 years!) as husband and wife in January. We decided on El Nido, it’s always been on our bucket list. But also because it had to be a beach after two years of urban lockdown. I booked the family, us plus three children, at Lio Estate for the end of the year. If we make it out there and we’re allowed to go out of the town, we’ll try to sneak in a day trip to San Vicente’s Long Beach.
If international, Korea. After all those K-dramas, BTS, and Mamamoo…? Although Quebec also looked lovely in Goblin.
Sonia Lazo—Managing Director, Intas Destination Management Inc.: I’d like to go to Baguio with family and friends. It’s been easy for me to imagine that the beach is just a few steps away from where I am. I’ve been longing for fresh and crisp air, while eating sinigang or barbecue with a watercress salad. Also hankering for that distinct Baguio vibe—artsy, folksy, and naturally bohemian. And always with nostalgia. I intend to see family and friends there, too. For international, I’d go where I’ve never been to…Korea. I’m an Army! A BTS fan! I would like to do the BTS trail as an Army as opposed to my usual trade show trail/pilgrimage as a tour operator.
Benjie Martinez—President, Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc./Area Director, Sales and Marketing, Bayleaf Hotels: First leisure destination is Melbourne, Australia, to visit our family and friends, most especially our precious two-year-old granddaughter, our first grandchild. My daughter is a nurse there and she is now a citizen there. My son, though, is based in Vancouver…we’re empty-nesters already. Nothing beats spending quality time with your loved ones and celebrate life.
I for one, was planning to go to Boracay with family despite this terrible pandemic, because it was a niece’s 40th birthday. But I had to put it off because my second vaccination dose was delayed. Boracay has always been the family’s default vacation place because it has easy access to everything one can wish for—the creamy white, powdery sand beach and awesome food choices, lots of libations, as well as friends among the residents there.
Truth to tell, even before I got my ticket and confirmation of a hotel booking, I already looked through my summer wardrobe to pick out the pieces I would wear to the island. Then, Metro Manila was put under lockdown last August 6, further screwing up my travel plans. I could not reschedule under those circumstances.
But as they say, third time’s the charm so maybe on my third try, I will eventually make it out to the island before the end of the year, so I can splash around in its crystal-clear waters and get a well-deserved spa treatment for my tired, weary bones. Crossing my fingers.
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