By Rosette Adel – February 12, 2022 – 8:33 PM
Philippine virtual tours. (Screenshot from Tourism Promotions Board)
The Department of Tourism and its attached agency, Tourism Promotions Board, on Wednesday launched virtual destination videos and 360° VR experiential tours that would make virtual travel to the Philippines more fun.
These new offerings that seek to build up and strengthen the programs on SmarTourism highlight some of the country’s top tourist spots and attractions.
For the tourism department’s marketing arm, TPB, SmarTourism is one of its key strategic directions that would integrate innovation and the digitalization of travel.
They plan to achieve this by boosting the digital tourism platforms, ensuring data-driven planning, and expanding other tools for promotions and marketing.
“The most distinct driver of change that has happened in any industry is the massive shift towards digitalization and innovation. The virtual tours are a product of our drive to be better and do better amid the trying times,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said.
“It’s not only a teaser for our foreign guests so they can get a good glimpse of our country in the new normal; it’s also a gift to our kababayans and OFWs who have been wanting to come home. And it’s a way to experience the Philippines vicariously and a guide to making every minute of your travel experience count,” she added.
The launch was held a day before the country opened its borders to inbound leisure travel.
Source: interaksyon.philstar.com
