SHIFTING from the “avoid non-essential travel,” the Canadian government has revised its travel advisory for Davao City and Siargao to “exercise a high degree of caution,” as stated by the Canadian Embassy.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed Canada’s move, with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco hoping that this will encourage other countries to reconsider and update their travel advisories to the Philippines.
“We are hopeful that this downgrading by the Canadian Government of its travel advisory against the Philippines will serve as an inspiration and a reminder to the other governments that the travel advisory against our country needs to be updated to present-day facts. That is that the Philippines is safe and secure, and that Filipinos are more than ready to welcome tourists into our shores,” Sec. Christina Garcia-Frasco, Department of Tourism stated.
Canada is one of the top source markets for Philippine tourism, alongside South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and China.
Frasco mentioned tourist police training is ongoing, with over 7,000 deployed to major tourist destinations.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently launched its tourist assistance center.
The agency continues to collaborate with the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to enhance security and peace, particularly in Mindanao.
“Generally, we are hopeful that the rest of Mindanao will also enjoy a downgrading of any advisories from other countries,” Frasco said.
