The Department of Tourism recently partnered with Cartoon Network Asia Pacific for a new tourism campaign promoting the guidelines for the looming reopening of tourist destinations in the country.
The latest COVID-19 travel reminder video released last Saturday features the network’s superpowered sisters, well-loved by generations of viewers – the Powerpuff Girls. The animated series celebrated its 22nd anniversary this year.
In the travel reminder video, the crimefighting girls received a call seeking help to jumpstart the country’s tourism safely.
“We need your help to come up with a plan so that people can travel safely. The Philippines is opening slowly but surely. Soon we’ll get to experience the fun and the magic of the Philippines again, “ the S.OS. call went.
Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup then came to the rescue and promoted the acronym “S.A.F.E.T.R.I.P.” that people can remember when they are preparing for their upcoming trips.
The deployed acronym stands for the following: S is for Sanitize, A is for Avoid Mass Gatherings, F is for Face Masks, E is for Electronic Payments, T is for Temperature check, R is for Rules and Regulations, I is for Information, and P is for Physical Distancing.
“The choice of The Powerpuff Girls for this public service announcement is purposeful, as the animated series introduced the concept of ‘girl power’ to a young audience in the late ‘90s and who still love the show today,” adding that Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat herself has long advocated for women empowerment through tourism and is also a fan of the characters.
Last week, Puyat signed Memorandum Circular No. 2020-007 or the “Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operation of Island and Beach Destinations under the New Normal.”
This memorandum issued to the public on Wednesday details the guidelines for the pre-entry, guest handling as well as emergency-related policies on island and beach destinations.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases also last week approved the DOT’s recommendations to jumpstart tourism.
In view of this, staycation will soon be allowed in areas under the general community provided that guests will only stay in a DOT-accredited accommodation enterprise located in proximity with one’s residence overnight.
In June, Boracay reopened tourism to Western Visayas tourists while Tagaytay City has also recently welcomed local tourists.
Tourists from National Capital Region, are however, required to secure travel pass to visit Tagaytay and Cavite.
Meanwhile, Baguio City is also set to reopen to tourists between the city and the provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte this month in a bid to carefully jumpstart tourism.
