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How ChatGPT helped software engineer create viral Philippine travel level map website

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How ChatGPT helped software engineer create viral Philippine travel level map website

DENZ DEL VILLAR. Del Villar is the software engineer who created the viral My Philippines Travel Level app

MANILA, Philippines – As Filipinos are looking to start traveling again after years of pandemic restrictions, social media feeds go abuzz as users share maps of places they’ve been to in the Philippines, all thanks to a web app.

Singapore-based Filipino software engineer Denz Del Villar created the My Philippines Travel Level website for users to show how well-traveled they are in the Philippines.

The do-it-yourself map quickly blew up as personalities such as Macoy Dubs and even former vice president Leni Robredo shared their results.

Denz tells Rappler that the website represents his first time doing web development, adding that he has been thinking about the idea for years but wasn’t able to start on it due to inexperience.

“I think it started in 2019. I randomly saw this Japanese version of the map and I got interested…. I was amazed and thought ‘Hey, there should also be a Philippine version of this,’ but there wasn’t any available,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He only got motivated to finally get started on the project on April 5 while on a ten-hour layover on his way to Turkey. He also had one tool that could finally help him conquer web development – ChatGPT.

“A lot of software engineers saw the potential of ChatGPT to guide them in building their projects,” Denz said.

The software engineer estimates that around 70% to 80% of the now-viral website was done with the help of ChatGPT.

Behind the scenes

Denz’s journey with the website started with creating the Philippine map, using the entire ten hours of his initial layover to build this groundwork.

“[The website] is graphics-heavy, you need the map first of all, and I didn’t know how to do it or draw it even. I asked ChatGPT how to get started. I also followed the format of those who created the Japanese version…The website wasn’t live then as there were still many features that were missing” he said.

To fill in the gaps with the missing features, he would consult ChatGPT and create code for the website during his many long bus rides to different parts of Turkey.

Among the features aided by ChatGPT was an essential feature where users click on a certain province and label it through these levels:

Lived there (5) – you spent a significant portion of your life in that area.
Stayed there (4) – you slept at least a night in that area.
Visited there (3) – you spent some hours exploring the area.
Alighted there (2) – you just dropped off for a short stopover, layover, or transfer.
Passed there (1) – you passed by that area but did not set foot.
Never been there (0) – you need to travel there soon.

Denz shares that ChatGPT was able to give “pretty nice” answers to his queries as long as he gave a pretty good prompt. However, he added that the codes given by the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot did not work immediately for the website.

“It’s like you search on Google how other people do it, but it’s almost on that same level. When I do that and put what ChatGPT recommends, I still had to make sure that the code works, so I had to tweak a bit,” he said.

The AI chatbot also helped Denz with the basics of hosting a website such as getting a domain.

“For software engineers, when you learn to do a new program, starting from scratch is hard. But if you have a template, it gets easier. Since what ChatGPT gave me are templates on how to start, it made my life easier. That’s what it took me [from] 2019 to until a few days ago to start as there wasn’t anyone who could help me or I could ask someone who knows about it, but I didn’t have time,” he added.

Hallucinations

Despite its perks, Denz encountered problems with ChatGPT where the chatbot “hallucinated” or gave an entirely wrong answer to his query on adding a feature where users can share their maps directly to their Instagram stories.

After extensive research, Denz realized that in order to get such feature, he would have to rewrite his entire website code in React Native when he was coding in ReactJS.

React Native is used for cross-platform development in mobile apps, while ReactJS is used to build user interfaces of websites. The programming language used by React Native and ReactJS are also different.

“Apparently, there is no such [package] in ReactJS, but there is in React Native. So when I prompted ChatGPT to give me packages that do this, the chatbot gave one. When I checked the package, it didn’t work. I think ChatGPT invented that this package can do this [function] using this command and then that command did not exist in the first place,” he said.

Denz created instead a compromise to have a function where users can save the image of their completed maps which they can share on their social media accounts.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, also recognized such flaws in a November 2022 blog post on its website , saying that fixing the issue can be “challenging” due to several factors such as having “currently no source of truth” in reinforcement learning training.

Denz said that this problem shows that there are “dangers” in believing that ChatGPT can give entirely factual information as it can be “susceptible to disinformation.”

After testing the site with friends, he posted the website on April 9 through an Instagram story sticker and Reddit. Denz added that after the website went live, he did not rely on ChatGPT as much as he would research on Google instead for quick bug fixes.

Traveling to the Philippines

According to the My Philippines Travel Level website, Denz’s Philippines travel level is only at 62. The software engineer attributes the low level as he only got to travel more when he was able to earn enough money from working in his first job in Japan from 2015 to 2017.

“It’s very impractical that if you’re in Japan, you would go to the Philippines to have a vacation since the [plane] tickets are expensive. It was much faster to do ‘domestic travel’ in Japan,” he said.

Denz added that most of his travel in the Philippines were mostly in Luzon. He also traveled to Cebu for a layover from Japan, Boracay for a family trip, and Davao for the National Schools Press Conference in 2010.

He hopes to change that now that he is based in Singapore, eyeing destinations such as Palawan, Cebu, and Batanes.

Denz also noticed patterns from the maps he has seen from his circle of friends and other posts on social media, saying that those who are “well-off” are not necessarily the most well-traveled in the Philippines.

“I usually see that government workers, they’re the ones who go to a lot of places [since] the demand of their work requires them to travel to all of the provinces. They’re the high scorers, not necessarily casual travelers,” he said.

Denz also clarified that he doesn’t collect any data from the web app aside from the page views from the flag counter at the bottom of the website. So far, the My Philippines Travel Level website has been visited 2,301,068 times.

Meanwhile, Denz said he knew the maps had the potential to go viral. However, what surprised him was how companies, organizations, and experts quickly picked up on the gimmick. Those versions would visualize from where ATMs are available nationwide to real minimum wage rates per region.

At ayun na nga. Dahil bored tayo. Here's the trending map showing the Current Real Minimum Wage Rates per region. Note the lack of orange and yellow colors. Also note that each color represents a P36.04 range. Data obtained from https://t.co/79J4i31RuT on April 15, 2023. pic.twitter.com/NwdTNeEtLf — rm (@rmllrd) April 15, 2023

The viral spread of the travel map also caused concerned users to rush to support the software engineer and his work.

So basically binigyan nanaman ng mamamayan ang mga brands ng libre. Hindi lang LIBRENG materyal o ideya o distribution. LIBRE maging LABOR at INDUSTRY INSTINCT ng developer na gumawa nung vacation map. Let’s support himmm pic.twitter.com/skP9Q5SKyh — Elon Moks (@moki_doki) April 16, 2023

With attention online placed on the My Philippines Travel Level website, Denz hopes that it would bring Filipinos to explore the Philippines more as “there really is more that the country can offer.”

He also hopes that those who create AI products such as OpenAI to be “responsible enough” in how they operate and maintain these tools. The software engineer also hopes consumers would be educated on AI so that they won’t be fooled by promises made by these companies, adding that there should be more AI programs in universities.

“The field of AI is very hot. So I hope there are many people from the next generation [who know] how to navigate that field,” he said.

Those who wish to support Denz and the My Philippines Travel Level website can donate through his Paypal and GCash . – Rappler.com

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Explore the Philippines with the ‘My Philippines Travel Level’ Map

Last updated on October 6th, 2023 at 06:02 pm

The Philippines, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty, is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. Denz del Villar(SE) has introduced an exciting new tool, the “My Philippines Travel Level” Fill-It-In Map, designed to help travelers document and share their Philippine adventures in a creative way.

Easily Track Your Travel Experiences

This user-friendly online application lets you visually represent your level of travel experience across the Philippines by adding colors to the map based on your interactions with different regions. Using legends, you can easily categorize areas where you’ve lived, stayed, visited, or just passed through.

Buzz on Social Media

Since its launch, the Fill-It-In Map has been making waves on social media. Travel enthusiasts are enthusiastically sharing their maps and sharing stories of their Philippine journeys. Some are using it as a platform to inspire others to explore the beauty of the Philippines.

One netizen shared, “ Lahat ba nakasagot na dito? Deadline bukas ha? 😂✌ Yung gusto mo sana magtravel pero ayaw ng wallet mo. 🥺 Kaya bahay-work-bahay ka lang. 😭 ” – TravelbuddiesPh

Former vice president Leni Robredo, who had a score of 315, is one of the many people who flexed their result.

Engaging Community

Users are also sharing humorous anecdotes about the challenges of traveling on a budget and fondly reminiscing about their adventures. Even former Vice President Leni Robredo participated, proudly displaying her travel score of 315.

A Must-Have for Travel Lovers

The “My Philippines Travel Level” Fill-It-In Map is a fantastic tool for travel enthusiasts. It adds an element of fun to visualizing your travel history, planning future trips, and igniting wanderlust for your next adventure. Explore the web app at https://my-philippines-travel-level.com/map and consider making a donation to support its availability in the future if you enjoy using it.

I put a lot of effort into making sure my guides and information are as up-to-date and accurate as I can. But, just so you know, I can't promise that everything on my site is absolutely correct or the very latest all the time. It's a good idea to double-check things with sources you trust. If you happen to spot something that's not quite right, please give me a heads-up using this form . Your feedback is super valuable and helps me make my guides even better.

DISCLAIMER: The rates, contact details, and other information provided in this post were accurate at the time of writing. However, please note that they are subject to change without prior notice from LDL Travel Stories. If you have access to updated information, kindly reach out to us via Facebook .

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The Creation of My Philippines Travel Level

How to Use My Philippines Travel Level

Lived there - you spent a significant portion of your life in that area
Stayed there - you slept at least a night in that area
Visited there - you spent some hours exploring the area
Alighted there - you just dropped off for a short stopover, layover, or transfer
Passed there - you passed by that area but did not set foot
Never been there - you need to travel there soon

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My Philippines Travel Level: Who Created It And How To Use It

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Denz, a Filipino Open Source Developer, and How His App Became an Instant Viral Hit

Discover how Denz, a Filipino open-source developer, turned his idea into a viral hit with 'My Philippines Travel Level' app. Read about his journey and how OSSPH helped him achieve his goals.

A new interactive web app has been making rounds on social media and has caught the attention of travel enthusiasts and adventurers alike. My Philippines Travel Level has become a sensation among Filipinos, particularly those who love to travel and explore the beauty of their own country.

The app lets users shade the provinces they have visited on an interactive map of the Philippines and provides a "Travel Level" score based on how many provinces they have been to. Users can share their scores on social media, allowing friends and followers to see the places they've been to and inspire others to explore more of the Philippines. Since its launch on April 13, the app has gained immense popularity on social media, with Filipinos across the country sharing their maps and competing with friends to see who has visited more provinces.

How the My Philippines Travel Level Works

Using the My Philippines Travel Level Map is incredibly easy. Simply visit the website , click on a province, and choose the travel level that best describes your connection with that area. The travel levels are as follows:

Lived there (5) – you spent a significant portion of your life in that area.
Stayed there (4) – you slept at least a night in that area.
Visited there (3) – you spent some hours exploring the area.
Alighted there (2) – you just dropped off for a short stopover, layover, or transfer.
Passed there (1) – you passed by that area but did not set foot.
Never been there (0) – you need to travel there soon.

Once you've finished selecting your travel levels, your travel level will be displayed in the upper right corner of the page. You can also save a copy of your map, which you can share on social media or keep for yourself.

How the My Philippines Travel Level was Created

My Philippines Travel Level web app was created by Denz del Villar, a Filipino software engineer based in Singapore. Denz got inspired by JapanEx , a similar program made for Japan, during his two-year stay in Japan. His desire to have an interactive travel map for the Philippines led him to start working on the project during a layover at the airport in Singapore, despite having no prior knowledge of web development. With the help of ChatGPT, Denz was able to create a graphics-intensive web app in just a few days using React.js.

While ChatGPT provided initial templates and guidance to get started, Denz had to customize and refine the codes to ensure the app worked seamlessly. My Philippines Travel Level Map was shared on Instagram Stories on April 12th and quickly gained popularity among Denz's friends who tested and shared it with others. It was also posted on the r/Philippines subreddit, where it received positive feedback from fellow Redditors.

The Success of My Philippines Travel Level App

My Philippines Travel Level app became an instant hit, gaining a massive following on social media in just a few days. Its success can be attributed to the support of notable personalities like Macoy Dubs , a Filipino content creator with over 1 million Facebook followers, and former Vice President Leni Robredo , who shared her personalized map. Brands also created their own versions of the map, using it for serious and humorous purposes.

The app's success shows how helpful open-source software can be. Denz shared the app's source code with everyone, allowing people to collaborate and create new ideas. This gave more people the chance to use technology. The many different versions of the app prove that open-source software can help people and communities create great things. My Philippines Travel Level app is a perfect example of how open-source software can create positive change in the world.

Welcoming Denz to the OSSPH Community

We are thrilled to welcome Denz to the OSSPH community! His My Philippines Travel Level web app project and passion for software development will be a valuable addition to our community. Denz was introduced to OSSPH by founders Waren and Joff, who offered to help him host and maintain his app. With the support of OSSPH, Denz hopes to attract more developers to contribute to improving, maintaining, and growing the app.

Denz believes that open-source software development is crucial in providing transparency and safeguards to ensure that software projects are reviewed and released responsibly. He also believes that every community member has a responsibility to ensure that software projects benefit end-users. Moving forward, Denz plans to continue contributing to the open-source movement by promoting transparency and sharing knowledge, and building trustworthy software projects.

As a member of the OSSPH community, Denz has access to a wealth of resources, tools, advice, and support from other developers. OSSPH actively supports and encourages open-source initiatives such as Denz's app. Together, we can work towards the growth of the open-source movement and create a positive impact on the software development industry.

Since joining the OSSPH community, Denz's My Philippines Travel Level web app project has grown significantly with the help of our talented developers. The commit graphs show a steady increase in contributions, highlighting the positive impact of open-source collaboration on this project. Some of the notable features added include the ability to share the app on Facebook, persistent highlights, and layout enhancements. Moreover, the project has undergone numerous bug fixes, making it more stable and user-friendly. We are proud of the progress that has been made and are excited to continue improving the app with the help of our community.

If you're a developer and you want to contribute to My Philippines Travel Level web app, you can go to this GitHub link: https://github.com/OSSPhilippines/philippines-travel-level-map . We welcome all developers who want to collaborate, contribute, and learn from this open-source project.

Welcome to OSSPH, Denz! We look forward to your valuable contributions to the community, and we are excited to see how My Philippines Travel Level will continue to grow with the help of our developers.

About the author

Paula Isabel Signo is a technical writer at OSSPH and a web developer. In her free time, Paula contributes to various open-source projects, volunteers in the community, and shares her knowledge by writing articles and tutorials. Connect with Paula here to learn more about her work and interests.

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DOT, TPB launch official Philippine travel app

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines launched Travel Philippines, the country’s official travel companion, today, 30 October 2020. The app provides users access to the latest travel advisories and safety guidelines in various destinations that have reopened to tourism. The easy-to-use platform allows users to create itineraries for their future trips, find up-to-date information on their favorite tourist attractions, and securely store digital copies of travel documents.

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Travel Philippines also features a built-in itinerary maker that integrates with its extensive catalogue of tourist attractions, local restaurants, and accommodation establishments. Users can bookmark any of the locations they read about within the platform and plan out their trips based on their preferences. Tourists can also upload into their personal Travel Philippines account, digital copies of pertinent documents such as boarding passes, hotel reservations, and medical certificates. Through its encrypted platform, the app will offer users a go-to folder for all of their documents and forms, which they will be able to access even if their device does not have an Internet connection.

“Travel Philippines marks DOT’s continued push to breathe new life into the severely affected tourism industry by promoting safe and responsible travel. We look forward to seeing both domestic and international tourists use Travel Philippines in their future trips,” concluded Romulo-Puyat.

Published:December 21, 2020

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DOT Chief welcomes e-Visa system for Chinese tourists

DOT positions PHL as one of Asia’s most LGBT-friendly destinations

From courtside to paradise: DOT supports FIBA World Cup hosting with Philippine Tour Packages

DOT bares tourism milestones under PBBM’s first year in office; Secretary Frasco optimistic on exceeding industry targets for 2023

PHL int’l tourist arrivals breach 3M mark; tourism receipts surge at P212.47 billion

Frasco inaugurates first ever DOT Tourist Rest Area in PHL

Pbbm trusts frasco, tourism chief gets widespread support.

Frasco launches Philippines Hop-On-Hop-Off for Manila

DOT chief grateful for continued support from lawmakers, employees

Love the Philippines draws widespread support

DOT’s enhanced branding is Philippines’ Love Letter to the world

Batanes joins UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories inclusion is a manifestation of Philippines’ successful sustainability efforts in local destinations – DOT chief

The Philippines elected as Vice President of UNWTO General Assembly after 24 Years, nabs Chairmanship of Commission for East Asia and the Pacific

DOT eyes increased arrivals from Cambodia

DOT welcomes positive tourism figures for FY2022; vows sustained industry recovery drive under the Marcos administration

Ph vies for six nominations for the wta 2023.

DOT rallies support of tourism stakeholders on digitalization initiatives

Heritage and Arts Tours in San Juan City get support from DOT

Tourism chief, Deputy Speaker Frasco donate for education of Pagsanjan boatmen’s children

Tour Guides to get more livelihood with Digital Bookings

DOT commits full support on Laguna’s local tourism resurgence; vows for more tourism projects in the province

TWG convened to drive up CRK utilization; travel and tourism to remain ‘spark of hope’ for Clark – Secretary Frasco

Philippines wins Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year Award (Non-OIC)

Dot supports malacañang heritage tours.

The country’s colorful marine life takes the spotlight in DOT’s Anilao Underwater Shootout

DOT, DND, DILG forge pact to make Mindanao a peaceful and viable tourist destination

DOT, PRA ink partnership

DOT lauds Rosquillos Festival’s showcase of local culture, contribution to local tourism

PHL participation in int’l, local travel and trade fairs yields more than P3 billion in business leads—DOT Chief

More than 43k workers receive dot training on the filipino brand of service excellence (fbse).

DOT vows support to SOCCSKSARGEN, Mindanao

Pbbm approval of phl tourism plan to spur tourism transformation, employment, philippines’ int’l visitor arrivals breach 2m.

DOT lauds PATA’s initiative to rebuild tourism communities in Laguna, Pagsanjan Falls

Filipino tourism frontliners recognized during DOT’s 50th founding anniversary celebration

DOT supports new country brand under the Marcos administration

DOT welcomes the resumption of chartered flights to PHL top destination Boracay

Medical Tourism pushed by Marcos Administration with strategic global partnership – DOT Chief

Frasco meets US filmmakers, media execs to promote Philippine tourism

Record number 1,400 Koreans arrive to Filipino welcome led by Tourism Secretary Frasco

Tourism chief Frasco dives in Puerto Galera, provides alternative livelihood to Oriental Mindoro

Philippine-Turkiye air service deal to boost tourism- DOT Chief

DOT-DOLE Tourism Job Fairs offer more than 8K jobs; 3rd leg set in May

DOT, DOTr jointly conduct inspection at NAIA T2 ahead of Holy Week break

More than 6k jobs up for grabs at DOT’s PHL tourism job fair

Go Negosyo, DOT mount Tourism Summit in Cebu

Business as usual in Puerto Galera; DOT to train tourism workers affected by oil spill for alternative livelihood – Frasco

DOT holds Philippine visa reforms convergence

Philippines hits 260M negotiated sales, bags recognition at the ITB Berlin 2023

DOT chief unveils National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 at stakeholders’ summit

Frasco meets with Central Europe tourism players, vows prioritization of tourism under Marcos Administration

Philippines comes back with biggest delegation to ITB Berlin, bags sustainable tourism recognitions

Oil Spill affecting tourist sites – DOT Chief

DOT issues guidelines pushing for more openness for tourism enterprises

Tourism chief to lead biggest PHL delegation to ITB Berlin 2023

PHL feted Best Dive Destination anew

New Flights from Clark to boost tourism, decongest NAIA

Frasco lauds Ilocos Norte’s Tan-Ok festival as manifestation of the Philippine Experience’

Frasco: Panagbenga Festival touts Baguio’s tourism resurgence

DOT extends ‘free accreditation’ for tourism establishments

DOT Chief launches Tourism Champions Challenge’ to spur tourism development in LGUs

PHL secures back-to-back nominations at the 2023 World Travel Awards

Frasco convenes first TCC meeting, forecasts full domestic recovery in 2023

Frasco leads groundbreaking of new tourist pit stop to boost Palawan tourism

Frasco leads grand welcome reception for cruise passengers, says ‘PHL aims to be cruise hub in Asia’

Japanese stakeholders bullish of PHL tourism prospects

PBBM, Tourism chief engage Japanese tourism stakeholders in high-level meet in Tokyo

Tourism chief affirms DOT’s support to PH Dev’t Plan 2023-2028

Chinese tourists receive warm welcome from PHL; DOT foresees swifter tourism recovery with Chinese outbound group tour

PHL, CHINA ink tourism implementation deal

PHL breaches 2.6M arrivals for 2022; DOT chief bullish of 2023 projections

DOT lands on Top 3 Highest Approval Rating among Government Agencies; bares targets for 2023

DOT, DICT ink deal for improvement of connectivity in tourist destinations, digitalization of services

DOT, DMW launch newest incentivized tourism promotions campaign

DOT, TIEZA launch 7th Tourist Rest Area in Pagudpud’s Saud Beach

Tourist Rest Area to rise in Bohol

Luzon’s First DOT Tourist Rest Area to Rise In Baguio City

DOT strengthens PHL-Saudi Arabia tourism relations, engages industry key players

Statement of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on the Launch of the e-Travel System

Filipino hospitality, Philippine sustainable tourism highlighted at WTTC Global Summit Saudi Arabia

Frasco welcomes Uzakrota World’s Leading Country Award, PHL destinations’ citations

Frasco eyes more urban parks in the Philippines

DOT’s Frasco is among best-performing cabinet officials- RPMD Survey

Frasco hails first-ever North Luzon Travel Fair as critical to revitalizing tourism; reiterates the Philippines’ readiness for visitors

DOT welcomes long holidays for 2023; PBBM signing of Proclamation No. 90 important stimulus to PHL domestic tourism in 2023: DOT chief

PHL visitor arrivals reach 2M; tourism revenue hit 100B – DOT Chief

Philippines hailed as World’s Leading Dive and Beach Destinations

PHL Tourism Chief initiates tourism cooperation talks with Italian Tourism Minister

Palawan cited “Most Desirable Island” in 21st Wanderlust Travel Award

Outlook for Philippine tourism positive – tourism chief

DOT launches 1st North Luzon Travel Fair

Tourism chief to lead PHL contingent to WTM, brings listening tours to FILCOM in UK

PBBM oks easing of stringent travel restrictions

PHITEX 2022 yields record high 173M sales leads

One Health Pass replaced with PHL’s ‘simpler’ eARRIVAL CARD system

Philippine Experience Caravans to roll out 2023 – Frasco

DOT relaunches Philippine Tourism Awards

DOT exceeds 2022 target arrivals; PBBM rallies support for tourism as admin’s priority sector

Siargao, a priority for Tourism Development — Frasco

STATEMENT OF TOURISM SECRETARY CHRISTINA GARCIA FRASCO

DOT bares tourism wins under PBBM’s first 100 days

Tourist Rest Areas for PHL’s top destination – Cebu

Tourist Rest Areas launched in Mindanao

FY 2023 DOT budget submitted to plenary; Senators press for higher tourism budget

DOT celebrates Philippines’ back to back wins at Conde Naste Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards; Boracay claims spot as top island in Asia anew

Frasco secures CA nod as Tourism Chief

DOT receives HOR nod for P3.573 B budget for 2023

First ever DOT-DOLE nat’l tourism job fair opens

Tourism Chief tackles plans to revive industry, entices foreign investors in New York briefing

PBBM pronouncements at UN meet an “excellent representation” of PHL – Secretary Frasco

DOT-DOLE 1st Philippine Tourism Job Fair pre-registration now open, more than 7k jobs available to tourism job seekers- Sec. Frasco

STATEMENT OF TOURISM SECRETARY CHRISTINA GARCIA FRASCO ON THE LIFTING OF OUTDOOR MASK MANDATE IN THE PHILIPPINES

DOT muling pinarangalan ng Selyo ng Kahusayan sa Serbisyo Publiko 2022

DOT Chief welcomes IATF recommendation to make masking optional when outdoors

Phl scores back to back win in WTA Asia; Intramuros hailed as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction of 2022

Frasco lays out DOT plans and programs for industry recovery; lawmakers bat for higher DOT budget

More than 1,500 tourism jobs to be offered in joint DOT-DOLE job fair

Dot to ink tourism job fair program – trabaho, turismo, asenso with dole; domestic, international jobs to be available to tourism job hunters.

Thailand to offer tourism job opportunities to Filipinos– Frasco

PHL tourism chief pushes for increased connectivity, interoperability of vax certs, equalization of opportunities, and sustainability in APEC tourism ministers’ meet

Philippines strengthens tourism ties with Thailand

DOT TRAINS BOHOL VENDORS ON FILIPINO BRAND OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE

20 intl, local dive and marine experts take centerstage at PHIDEX 2022

Measures in place to ensure safe travel to PHL – Tourism Chief

FRASCO OPTIMISTIC OF PH TOURISM RESURGENCE, LAUDS CEBU TOURISM SUCCESS

Frasco eyes visitor-friendly, “distinctly Filipino” air, seaports in PHL

DOT celebrates Philippine Accessible Disability Services, Inc. (PADS) Dragon Boat Team historic four gold medal haul

DOT to facilitate interagency effort to strengthen Filipino Brand of Service

DOT to coordinate on quake-hit tourist destinations, heritage sites

PBBM cites tourism as top-priority; orders infra development, enhancement of Filipino brand

DOT chief takes “Listening Tours” to Luzon

DOT Chief affirms support to National Museum of the Philippines; proposes inclusion of museums in tourism circuits

Boracay, Palawan and Cebu hailed World’s Best Islands; DOT celebrates back-to-back accolades for PHL destinations

Marcos push for Tourism Infra strengthens industry, raises PHL global position – DOT Chief

DOT lauds Boracay’s inclusion in TIME’s 50 World’s Greatest Places of 2022

DOT lauds Cebu-based group win in int’l dance competition

Statement of tourism secretary christina garcia frasco on banaue.

Tourism Chief Frasco kicks off listening tours in VisMin, encourages officials to reach out to LGUs, stakeholders

Tourism chief Frasco to go on ‘listening tours’ starting this week

Dot reports increase in domestic tourism in 2021.

Incoming tourism chief receives warm welcome from employees, vows to bring “LGU perspective” to DOT

DOT’s Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) returns to Manila next month

First Davao Dive Expo slated on June 24

DOT touts ‘future farms’ as new and sustainable tourist attractions

DOT pitches PHL as ideal retirement destination in Japan Expo

DOT positions New Clark City as premier tourism investment hub

PH’s significant recovery in travel and tourism hot topic in Routes Asia 2022

DOT’s KAIN NA! takes foodies to a multi-sensory adventure

DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast

Second (2nd) Online Master TESOL Certification Course

DOT, MMC Foundation partnership brings ER bikes to three Metro Manila tourist sites

DOT spotlights PWDs and women in tourism with new “It’s More Fun for All” campaign

Media release from the department of tourism.

PHL scraps COVID pre-departure test for fully vaccinated, boostered tourists

DENR, DOT and DILG unveil Year of Protected Areas (YoPA) Campaign marking 90th anniversary of Protected Area establishment in the Philippines

Department of Tourism and Mickey Go Philippines introduce Pinoy Mickey Funko Pops

DOT launches “Keep the Fun Going” sustainable tourism campaign with gamified challenges

DOT reminds AEs on proper flag etiquette

DOT 49th Anniversary speech of the Tourism Secretary

DOT pushes for 100% vaccination of active tourism workers

DOT calls for lowering of testing price cap, certification of more saliva test facilities

PHL may be next filming location as Tourism Summit brings in Hollywood execs

WTTC Investment Tour Highlights Viable Opportunities in Clark, Central Luzon

WTTC lauds PH successful hosting of Int’l tourism Summit

Closing and Congratulatory Message during the Closing Ceremony of the 21st WTTC Global Summit of the DOT Secretary

WTTC: ‘Astonishing Recovery’ for Philippines’ tourism sector

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Exhibition Booths

WTTC Opening Ceremony Welcome Remarks of the DOT Secretary

WTTC bullish on PH tourism recovery amid Covid-19 pandemic

PHL Foreign tourist arrivals breach 200k mark – DOT Chief

DOT, partner agencies celebrate Filipino Food Month

WTTC announces speakers for its 21st Global Summit in the Philippines

DOT seeks return of Korean tourists, PH’s top market

DOT inks partnership with PNP, PDEA to beef up security in tourist destinations

DOT Launches Digital Travel Magazine “7641”

PHL says “All systems go for full reopening on April 1”; Removes EED as entry requirement

Phl logs more than 100,000 visitor arrivals since feb. 10 reopening.

DOT meets with Japanese tourism execs to boost inbound tourism arrivals

Statement of the DOT on hotel rooms occupancy guidelines

PH opens doors to all foreign tourists with easing of arrival requirements starting April 1

Travel to PHL is “easier”, more fun – Puyat

DOT Launches “Sounds More Fun in the Philippines” Playlist on Spotify

DOT hopeful on higher tourism growth with downgrading of NCR, 38 areas to Alert Level 1

Intramuros visitors up by 132% in February

DOT bares higher tourist influx since reopening

Dot welcomes iatf approval to accept the national vaxcert of 12 additional countries.

PH receives 9,283 inbound tourists; DOT upbeat on higher arrivals in months ahead

Puyat: Walk-in booster shots available for Boracay visitors

All systems go for PHL reopening for international travel- Puyat

Kids’ vaccination to make family travels safe, more fun

DOT lists requirements and protocols for arriving foreign leisure guests

Save the date for the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in the Philippines

DOT: PH to accept fully-vaxxed tourists from visa-free countries starting Feb. 10

DOT supports ‘Pharmacy and Drive-thru Vaccination Sites’ rollout in Baguio City

DOT Launches “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project

Dot to hold 2-day conference on english as second language (esl).

PH cities, hotels bag ASEAN tourism awards

Booster shots rolled out for fully vaxxed tourism workers; 50% of NCR hotel staff already “boosted”

DOT trains over 30,000 tourism professionals amid pandemic

Dot welcomes eased travel movement between gcq and mgcq areas for tourism revival, hotel in ‘poblacion girl” fiasco suspended, fined, intramuros gives vulnerable population a breathing space, dot launches website with exclusive travel deals for balikbayans.

Anilao Underwater Shootout stages a successful comeback

DOT’s KAIN NA! makes a comeback in Tagaytay

Dot earns unwto citation for have a safe trip, pinas ad.

Brgy. Bojo in Aloguinsan, Cebu bags UNWTO best tourism village award

More than 95% of tourism workers in dive establishments already vaccinated against covid-19: dot.

DOT: PHL to welcome Int’l tourists soon

Dot welcomes shortened quarantine days for balikbayans, dot asks lgus to simplify entry requirements in tourist spots, miceconnect 2021 positions boracay as asia’s premier bleisure destination, dot releases latest list of domestic destinations waiving rt-pcr tests for fully vaxxed visitors, dot grants incentives to fully vaccinated individuals visiting intramuros.

Statement of the DOT on waiving RT-PCR requirement to Boracay for fully vaxxed tourists

Anilao underwater ‘shootout’ is back

Puyat, dot execs pitch ph tourism in japan travel mart, dot welcomes eased restrictions in mm under alert level 2, free swab tests for domestic tourists starting nov. 1, dot lists destinations without testing requirement, with projected 100% inoculation rate by next month, boracay will soon waive rt-pcr testing for fully vaxxed visitors.

Domestic Travel Welcome-Back: DOT, TPB launch ‘It’s More Fun with You’ ad and ‘Have a Safe Trip, Pinas’ Viber Stickers

22 divers pass dot guide training in anilao.

PH cited Asia’s top beach and dive destination anew in 2021 World Travel Awards

Dot bullish on camiguin’s reopening, boosts covid-19 vax drive, dot clarifies travel guidelines for ncr residents under alert level 4, alert level 3, good for tourism jobs and businesses as holidays near – puyat, 2nd tourism & technology forum: readying for a different future.

DOT vaccination drive for tourism workers continues in Pampanga

Dot welcomes easing of age restrictions for interzonal travel, less quarantine days for travelers an ‘encouraging development’ for tourism industry – puyat.

Vaccination of Rizal tourism workers crucial to industry’s recovery — DOT

Dot welcomes siargao, palawan and boracay win in int’l travel mag awards, over 43k safety seals issued as more businesses apply, dot backs call to shorten quarantine of fully vaxxed travelers, dot calls for cooperation to ensure success of expanded operational capacity of restaurants in ncr.

DOT lauds Samar LGU vax drive for tourism workers

Message of secretary berna romulo-puyat on the celebration of world tourism day, dot ensures compliance of accredited hotels, resorts to new iatf alert level system guidelines.

Cebu vax drive for tourism workers gains traction with more than 50% inoculated

Puyat bares phl hosting of international tourism conference in march 2022.

DOT and TikTok launch #GandaMoPinas Campaign as local borders reopen

Dot invites esl teachers to free online master tesol certification course.

DOT launches “More Fun Awaits” global campaign to showcase travel preps

Statement of the department of tourism (dot), statement of the department of tourism on the inclusion of palawan in t+l’s top islands in asia, world list, more than 50% of country’s tourism workers vaccinated against covid-19 – dot chief, intramuros site visit of dot secretary berna romulo-puyat.

Intramuros sites and Rizal Park to reopen September 16

Philippines boosts participation in expo 2020 dubai, highlights pinoy food, local tourism businesses receive dot, tpb philcare kits.

DOT, partner agencies drive up promotion of Filipino food experience

More than 7.5k tourism workers in Baguio have received Covid vax – Tourism Chief

Dot, tpb distribute p19m worth of materials to promote safety protocols.

DOT, NTF bring vaccination rollout for tourism workers in Siargao Island

DOT: 95% of tourism workers in NCR vaxxed vs Covid-19

Sustainability is key to tourism industry’s recovery — puyat, dot lauds private sector for vaccine rollout in el nido.

PHITEX 2021: Beyond Business slated for September 19-23

Puyat leads vaccination drive for Pampanga tourism workers

More than 75% of Bohol tourism workers eyed for inoculation with second vaccine roll-out

More than 70% of tourism frontliners in metro manila vaccinated vs covid-19 — puyat.

DOT and TPB SUCCESSFULLY STAGED FIRST-EVER HYBRID EDITION OF THE REGIONAL TRAVEL FAIR

Dot, bpos to hold job fair, statement of the department of tourism.

DOT targets increased inoculation of tourism workers in more destinations

Puyat: More vaccines coming for Palawan tourism workers

Dot statement on nesthy petecio’s silver medal finish in the tokyo 2020 olympics, rizal park drive-thru vax site opens; puyat hails manila’s anti-covid initiative, dot gets highest coa rating for 2nd straight year, statement of the department of tourism on the passing of heritage and cultural tourism advocate mr. ramon hofileña, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the heightened community quarantine level implementations in ncr, more tourism workers in boracay to receive covid-19 jabs – dot, dot reiterates call for safe travel amid stricter quarantine measure, dot reminds hotels, resorts that room sharing for quarantined families is allowed, dot celebrates siargao inclusion in time magazine as one of the world’s greatest places of 2021, dot launches halal food tourism, dot backs gov’t infra program to boost tourism, dot backs iloilo bid for ‘creative city of gastronomy’ recognition from unesco, statement of the department of tourism on iatf decision allowing children five years old and above, and fully vaccinated seniors to visit outdoor areas, dot partners with viber to promote kain na foodfest, dot: 3,000 boracay tourism workers to receive covid vax, dot, tpb continues to support lgus with digital transformation projects, dot teams up with scarlet belo and cartoon network to take safe trips, dot statement on the activities of the taal volcano, bakuna by the sea: dot hails davao’s innovative approach to travel, hospitality workers, dot, tpb to roll out 2nd phase of rt-pcr financial subsidy program through pcmc, dot unveils region 1 tourism recovery plan, statement of the department of tourism on the drop of tourism contribution to gdp, dot to co-stage virtual fête de la musique june 18-21, more ncr tourism workers receive support through dot-dole program, travel for tourists of all ages from ncr plus to boracay, other mgcq areas extended to june 30, dot eyes inoculation of 5,000 bohol tourism workers, museums in ncr plus to reopen on limited capacity – dot, dot turns food tourism to high heat with 2021 kain na, terms for tourism business loans eased, dot bares tourism recovery plans for bulacan, dot and tiktok launch #sarapmagingpinoy campaign to promote local food tourism, dot launches five-year plan to develop tourism professionals, dot celebrates world environment month, highlights responsible marine wildlife interactions, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the rt-pcr requirement for leisure travelers under iatf-eid resolution 118a, statement of the dot on iatf-eid resolution 118a, more than 16k bulacan tourism workers get dot-dole cash aid, dot orders stricter monitoring of staycation hotels and aes in gcq areas following new iatf guidelines, dot lauds inclusion of frontline tourism workers in a1 priority group, dot hosts pata summit for first hybrid mice event in 2021, over 1,400 golf workers in metro manila get dot-dole cash aid.

Central Luzon to Showcase ‘Flavors of Pampanga’, readies tourists for gastronomic experience

Dot lauds ph hotels recognized with the 2021 tripadvisor awards, 3,390 tourism workers in marinduque approved to receive p16.95m dot-dole cash aid, puyat bares tourism recovery plans for marinduque, dot proposes ‘green lane’ for fully vaccinated travelers, dot hails expansion of priority vaccination to a4 cluster, including tourism frontliners, 5,986 staycation rooms open for guests from ncr plus, intramuros to open fort santiago, baluarte de san diego to visitors may 17, dot statement on the proposed vaccination center in nayong pilipino, dot welcomes iatf decision to ease travel in ncr plus, 221m cash aid approved for 44k tourism workers in western visayas, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the collected garbage from the waters of samal island, davao del norte, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the reported violations of a hotel in davao city, dot to host hybrid pata annual event for adventure travel, p1.5m cash aid approved for 295 intramuros tourism workers, updates on the vaccination of tourism workers, labor day vax for tourism workers, more than 400k displaced tourism workers get dot-dole cash aid, philippine tourism and mice industry to bounce back with the hosting of wttc global summit, dot, manila lgu ink mobile hospital deal, dot-accredited establishment staysafe.ph-users, eligible for safety seal certification, dot grants the wttc safe travels stamp to 33 more hotels nationwide, dot welcomes proposals to convert tourism sites to temporary medical facilities, dot lauds repurposed hotels, calls for ‘bayanihan’ vs covid, dot approves use of burnham green and quirino grandstand in rizal park for temporary mobile hospital and drive-thru vaccination site, dot celebrates saud beach inclusion in the 25 most beautiful beaches in the world list of travel and leisure, 67k displaced tourism workers of ncr+ receive dot-dole cash aid, statement of the department of tourism on the vaccination facility in nayong pilipino property, statement of the department of tourism regarding the alleged birthday “super spreader” event in boracay, dot eyes adoption of covid-19 digital travel pass, dot statement on ecq extension in ncr plus, phl, dot nominated at asia edition of 2021 world travel awards, dot pushes for inclusion of other tourism workers in priority group a4, strict new guidelines set for hotels under ecq; lenten ‘staycations’ within ncr plus suspended, dot statement on ecq for ncr+ areas, dot statement on holy week, rizal park and paco park adjust visiting hours, remain open for physical exercise, dot statement on biatf measures for boracay, tpb philippines spearheads tourism and technology forum (ttf), dot statement on coron tourist with falsified travel documents, dot supports rizal tourism circuit on food, faith, art, adventure and nature, the ‘fun’ continues: philippines joins digital itb berlin, dot to spur domestic tourism in rizal, dot’s stdp program to enhance resiliency of phl destinations – puyat, dot sustains online presence with ‘wake up in ph’ campaign and safety travel advisories, dot greenlights partial operations of hotel restaurants on june 15, dot eyes tourism recovery as more destinations may reopen, domestic travel to drive recovery of tourism industry, says survey, dot hails revival of tourist cops, tourism will recover well, dot chief vows, dot celebrates hidden beach, palawan’s inclusion in cnt’s best beaches in the world, tourism industry hikes share in gdp to 13%; puyat sees strong recovery from pandemic, dot pushes stringent guidelines for stakeholders across the nation, biatf denounces travelers’ breach of entry protocol to boracay, dot lauds partnership model for safe and sustainable tourism in boracay, dot issues guidelines on tourist land transport services, iatf–eid resolution reiterates ‘dot certificate of authority’ as requisite to operate, dot issues protocols on restaurant operations under the new normal, dot welcomes ph ‘rising stars in travel’ citation by forbes.com, dot, dti to roll out health and safety guidelines, digital solutions for restaurants, dot, attached agencies promote digital tourism, tourism chief reminds hotels, resorts: no dot certificate, no business operations during mgcq, dot assists 36,000 tourists during covid-19 crisis, dot webinar tackles digital as the new normal, dot welcomes the resumption of tourism operations in areas under mgcq, trust and health safety key to phl tourism recovery – dot chief, puyat on reopening tourism: ‘do it slowly but surely’, dot brings home 84 tourists stranded in eastern visayas, dot supports coron’s sustainable tourism development to bounce back, dot welcomes puerto princesa reopening to domestic tourists, dot urges for more wttc safe travels stamp applications, boracay’s white beach, el nido’s nacpan beach among tripadvisor’s top beaches in asia, dot statement on uniform travel protocols, dot supports the safe reopening of negros oriental, puyat affirms support for siquijor’s reopening, dot statement on el nido’s swift action against tourists with false covid test records, dot supports dilg’s streamlining of travel requirements, dot assists 98 stranded tourists in western mindanao, dot assists 246 tourists stranded in bicol, dot response team assists 1004 tourists stranded in caraga region, statement of tourism secretary bernadette romulo-puyat, dot8 springs stranded tourists, total assisted travelers now at 11,000, dot assists stranded tourists in central luzon, dot response teams assist over 10,000 travelers, dot announces the guidelines on hotels and other accommodation establishments during the enhanced community quarantine, dot chief: innovation to spur food tourism in new normal, dot webinar tackles heritage site conservation and use amid pandemic, dot banners “filipino brand of service”; assists over 35,000 tourists amid pandemic, dot to jumpstart domestic tourism under stricter protocols with iatf and lgus, dot partners with wttc to share experts’ tourism outlook, recovery plans, dot regulates hotel food deliveries, dot: tourism industry up to tough challenges on path to recovery, more than 155,000 tourism sector workers receive first tranche of dof wage subsidy program, dot mounts sweeper flights; brings home 1000 stranded domestic tourists, dot webinar tackles recovery, future of phl’s m.i.c.e., statement of the department of tourism (dot) on the iatf–eid authorization to mount sweeper flights, statement of secretary bernadette romulo puyat on the passing of former dot secretary ramon jimenez, jr., dot–ncr assists 24,000 in–transit nationals amid ecq of luzon, dot and ssi support philippine food producers in online philippine harvest, dot provides virtual backgrounds for video calls to encourage “travel from home”, dot offers online “enhanced opportunity” training for tourism stakeholders, dot-region 6 delivers filipino brand of service in crisis, dot outlines tourism response, post–covid 19 recovery plan to aid private sector, dot issues guidelines defining “new normal” for accommodation establishments, 24,836 hotel rooms reserved for ofws’ quarantine, bpo staff use – dot chief, stranded tourists welcome extended stay in batanes, dot welcomes lifting of travel ban for outbound passengers, recovery flights, tourism transport to continue for stranded passengers, statement of the department of tourism (dot) on covid-19 local transmission, dot statement on the curfew recommendation for lgus, dot, turkish airlines form partnership to increase philippine tourism from europe and mediterranean source markets, dot celebrates first run of the philippine international hot air balloon fiesta in calabarzon, puyat convenes tourism council; invites public to travel within ph, international visitor receipts hit usd 9.31b in 2019, 20.81% up from 2018, dot postpones nationwide mall sale to prioritize safety of citizens, department of tourism unveils new ad inspired by the abakada alphabet, highlighting unique filipino culture, puyat advocates for cultural and ecotourism in the new normal, relive the history of intramuros city with augmented reality app experience philippines, dot: 1st phl shopping fest kicks off march 1st, doh, dilg and dot give public gatherings green light, 2019 international arrivals exceed target with 8.26 million visitors to the philippines, dot welcomes lifting of taiwan travel ban, joint statement of the department of tourism and tourism congress of the philippines, dot backs “balik sa bohol” for tourism industry revival, intramuros reopens in the new normal, relaxed and standard health protocols, personalized trips key to tourism recovery, says latest philippine travel survey, dot files falsification raps against boracay tourists with forged covid test results, dot: reclassification of industries to hasten recovery, dot statement following the president’s latest directive to contain the ncov, guidelines in handling guests in tourism enterpises in the advent of ncov global health emergency, puyat eyes isabela as top agro-ecotourism destination, dot, dti inspect hotels and restaurants’ compliance with health and safety protocols, dot chief checks readiness of palawan, fresh produce at your doorstep, courtesy of dot–grab tie–up, dot ‘seal of good housekeeping’ boosts confidence among restos amid pandemic – puyat, dot celebrates as palawan reclaims best island in the world citation, tourism chief bullish on english schools’ recovery, dot, fao team up for sustainable farm tourism in ph, meetings, conventions allowed only under mgcq at 50% capacity – dot, boracay now open to youths, seniors from region, dot chief lauds senate approval of bayanihan 2 on final reading, cites plans for 10b stimulus fund, “think out of the box,” tourism industry urged in dot webinar, dot assures tourist stakeholders of all–out support for slow reopening, puyat meets with bohol execs to tackle tourism situation, recovery plans, dot, cloud panda ph launches phl harvest e-commerce site, statement of dot, dot to scale up baguio’s ridge to reef travel bubble plan across phl, dot celebrates “surprisingly spectacular diving” tag of 3 phl dive sites by lonely planet, phl bags best overseas diving award 2020, statement of department of tourism, dot’s phidex 2020 goes digital, dot-dole amended jmc further expands coverage of beneficiaries, dot welcomes new protocols for arriving passengers, dot bats for a more fun, safe and sustainable laguna, dot chief: green corridors are critical to tourism recovery, dot statement on destination test requirements, dot statement on boracay tourists, dot welcomes asean as a single tourism destination, iatf allows baguio hotels to receive domestic tourists under gcq, raising the bar of filipino hospitality with the leadership excellence series 2021, dot lauds inclusion of tourism frontliners in priority group for vaccination, dot’s ‘kain na’ cooks up online food fest, phl hosts 3rd asean meet on tourism professionals; dot commits to beef up competency of tourism workforce in the new normal, safety marshalls to ensure physical distancing when beaches, resorts reopen, 10,000 bpo jobs for displaced tourism workers, zero interest loans, no collateral, easy terms for distressed tourism businesses, puyat to grace baguio reopening; dot to go big on domestic tourism in 2021, chocolate, coffee, tea take centerstage in dot’s kain na food festival, dot receives safetravels stamp from world tourism body, puyat launches baguio’s vis.i.t.a. platform, reopening of boracay to more markets builds momentum for domestic tourism revival, puyat: even in most unusual ways, tourism must stay alive, message of tourism secretary bernadette romulo-puyat on the celebration of the world tourism day, dot statement on the city garden grand hotel, dot chief supports negrense cookbook launch, vows continued support to thriving food tourism scene in western visayas, dot statement on the closure of makati shangri-la hotel, dot pledges to help negros occidental get ready for more domestic tourists, dot welcomes the first two recipients of the wttc safe travel stamp, dot statement on baguio party incident, dot welcomes iatf decision to allow balikbayans, dot launches “have a safe trip, pinas” to promote safe travels and support tourism workers, dot celebrates ph’s victory as world’s leading dive destination and tourist attraction for intramuros in 2020, dot welcomes coron’s reopening on dec. 1 with health and safety measures in place, dot aims for data-driven response to tourism recovery under new normal with survey, dot backs enhanced contact tracing; announces low-cost covid tests with up-pgh for boracay-bound tourists, puyat encourages affected tourism workforce to avail of the expanded dot-dole financial assistance, dot welcomes strides to reboot mice, puyat visits batangas, shores up dive tourism, statement of the dot on cebu resort incident, dot presents virtual concert to promote manila’s cultural heritage sites, dot, makatimed foundation forge partnership for tourism destination health security, dot launches webinar training on reducing single-use plastics for hospitality sector, dot to assist zambales in safe and gradual tourism reopening, dot bats for uniform lgu travel requirements, dot, tpb promote pinoy christmas through music, dot’s 2020 kain na satisfies christmas cravings on fourth leg, dot’s 2020 kain na satisfies christmas cravings on fourth leg, dot prepares local destinations, accommodation establishments for wttc safe travels stamp application, 27,000 displaced tourism workers of car receive dot-dole financial assistance, dot backs temporary suspension of flights from uk, dot inspires balikbayans to come home with ‘balikan ang pilipinas’ campaign, dot, tpb expand rt-pcr financial subsidy program for 11,600 tourists through pcmc, dot reiterates penalties for quarantine hotels used for staycation and other purposes, dot supports strict entry protocols in light of new covid-19 variant, dot reiterates rule on staycation hotels, dot celebrates boracay and palawan inclusion in conde nast’s 25 best island beaches in the world list, dot issues guidelines for safe ‘staycation’, dot accreditation goes digital, boracay reopens, heralds “safe, gradual” revival of philippine tourism, dot gets coa’s highest rating on 2019 audit, dot sees domestic tourism boom in baguio with affordable antigen testing, phl islands named top favorites by int’l travel magazine, dot welcomes reopening of ilocos norte to luzon tourists on oct 15, dot funds rt-pcr testing of boracay tourism workers, dot inks tourism “cares for travel” msme loan program with sb corp, health, safety rules drawn up for recreational diving, batangas now open to divers – dot, puyat reminds ‘staycation hotels’ to follow rules, protocols, dot welcomes baguio city’s opening to guests from luzon starting oct. 22, dot statement on the opening of ilocos sur starting nov 15, ridge and reef corridor heralds domestic tourism recovery, puyat – hotels in gcq, mgcq may now be allowed to operate at full capacity, pra to amend retirement policies, suspends processing of srrv applications, dot supports expansion of palawan’s travel bubble starting oct. 30, tourism chief bats for covid-19 tests price cap, dot urges tourism businesses to avail of sb corp’s covid-19 loan program, dot leadership excellence series returns anew, dot statement on the inclusion of palawan and boracay in big 7 travel’s list of 50 most beautiful places, dot, dole agree on guidelines for cash-for-work program for displaced tourism workers, tour guides, dot’s kain na takes on food trips for november, intramuros is now asia’s leading tourist attraction the philippines and dot receive accolades at the 2020 world travel awards asia winners day, statement of the department of tourism on prrd’s signing of eo 118, dot inks mou on tourism education, training, dot partners with nissan to promote ‘safe trips’, dot allows operation of 7,200 hotels, resorts, dot lauds ibagiw 2020, baguio’s creative city festival, dot welcomes reopening of phl’s surfing capital, siargao, ridge and reef travel corridor expands to ilocos sur, dot chief visits baguio city, touts cultural tourism with creative crawls, sec. puyat to grace 2020 bambanti festival, dot allocates p340.7m for iloilo tourism infrastructure development, tourist arrivals mark 7.4m in november, up by 15.58%, safety of tourists is dot’s top priority – sec. puyat, dot, cab collaborate to enhance air passenger’s bill of rights, statement of the department of tourism, 2nd statement of the department of tourism, dot thanks smart for emergency satellite phones, dot–dotr meet to boost tourism infra, connectivity; puyat to push approval of 1b for night–rated airports, dot chief to visit, vows to revitalize baguio, tourism chief: phl one with asean in responding to covid crisis.

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ChatGPT Helped Make The ‘My Philippines Travel Level’ Website

The My Philippines Travel Level app was trending as people returned to vacation spots after the pandemic. Yet, you may not have been aware artificial intelligence made it possible. The app’s creator Denz Del Villar told Rappler he used ChatGPT to develop the platform. Surprisingly, it was his first web development project.

He had the idea for years but didn’t start due to inexperience. “I think it started in 2019, I randomly saw this Japanese version of the map, and I got interested,” Del Villar said. Then, he realized, “Hey, there should also be a Philippine version of this [app].” Fortunately, he discovered ChatGPT on April 5, inspiring him to pursue the project.

Are you curious how he pulled off the My Philippines Travel Level app? I will discuss how ChatGPT was instrumental in developing the viral platform. Also, I will teach you how to use the app so that you can try it during the country’s summer season!

How ChatGPT helped make the My Philippines Travel Level app

This is the My Philippines Travel Level website.

Photo Credit: palawan-news.com

Singapore-based Filipino software engineer Denz Del Del Villar created the My Philippines Travel Level website to test how well-traveled users are in the country. It allowed them to show how many times they’ve explored Philippine regions.

Various celebrities loved the app, such as former vice president Leni Robredo. As a result, more Filipinos and foreigners showed off their My Philippines Travel Map screenshots.

Del Villar told Rappler that he saw a Japanese version of the app in 2019, which inspired him to make the Philippine version. Yet, he needed to be more confident in his web development prowess.

Fortunately, he discovered ChatGPT could help him. “A lot of software engineers saw the potential of ChatGPT to guide them in building their projects,” Del Villar said.

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Believe it or not, he used the AI tool to make the app during a ten-hour layover flight in Turkey. Here’s how he explained its development:

“[The website] is graphics-heavy, you need the map first of all, and I didn’t know how to do it or draw it even. I asked ChatGPT how to get started. I also followed the format of those who created the Japanese version. The website wasn’t live then as there were still many features that were missing,” he said.

ChatGPT wrote code for the missing features. As a result, Del Villar says it provided “pretty nice” answers to his queries. Also, it helped him with the basics of hosting a website, such as obtaining a domain.

“For software engineers, when you learn to do a new program, starting from scratch is hard, he said. “But if you have a template, it gets easier. Since what ChatGPT gave me are templates on how to start, it made my life easier,” Del Villar added.

What were the problems with using ChatGPT?

Photo Credit: interaksyon.philstar.com

Del Villar said the bot’s codes immediately didn’t work for the website. “It’s like you search on Google how other people do it, but it’s almost on that same level,” he said.

“When I do that and put what ChatGPT recommends, I still had to make sure that the code works, so I had to tweak a bit,” he added. Also, ChatGPT tended to “hallucinate” data.

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For example, he needed a software package for cross-platform development. In other words, he wanted the My Philippines Travel Level website to function on mobile apps.

He used ReactJS to code the website, but it was only available in React Native. Still, ChatGPT recommended the React Native option for his website.

Also, Del Villar cautioned relying on ChatGPT to provide factual information because it can be “susceptible to disinformation.” Nowadays, he uses Google for online research more often than the AI bot.

How to use the My Philippines Travel Level website

Photo Credit: sugbo.ph

If you want to use the My Philippines Travel Level website, head to my-philippines-travel-level.com. Then, click on a province and choose the travel level that matches your experiences. Each level represents the following:

Lived there: You spent a significant portion of your life in that area.
Stayed there: You slept at least a night in that area.
Visited there: You spent some hours exploring the area.
Alighted there: You just dropped off for a short stopover, layover, or transfer.
Passed there: You passed by that area but did not set foot.
Never been there: You need to travel there soon.

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Afterward, you may save the image on your computer. Also, you may share the picture on your social media. Also, click the Donate buttons to support the project financially.

Most people think ChatGPT has yet to have a real-life impact. However, Denz Del Villar created the viral My Philippines Travel Level website using that AI bot.

Artificial intelligence has been shifting aspects of daily life already. You may not realize it, but you probably use AI every day!

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Once you understand it, artificial intelligence can be a positive force in your life. Fortunately, Inquirer Tech can help you by sharing the latest digital trends.

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My Philippines Travel Level web app goes viral

Are you a travel enthusiast who loves exploring the stunning islands of the Philippines? Do you find yourself boasting about your extensive travels in this tropical paradise?

With the latest web app taking the travel community by storm—My Philippines Travel Level—you can now put your travel skills to the test.

Denz del Villar, a Singapore-based Filipino software engineer, has created a buzz in the online travel community with his innovative web app inspired by the popular Japan version JapanEx. My Philippines Travel Level is a simple yet brilliant web app built using ReactJS that enables users to visualize and track their travel experiences in the Philippines with just a few clicks.

“This is my first time dabbling with ReactJS, and I’m thrilled with the result,” Denz shared.

The web app features a map of the Philippines divided into its 83 provinces. Users can select each province and choose from various travel levels, such as “Lived there,” “Stayed there,” “Visited there,” “Alighted there,” “Passed there,” or “Never been there” to accurately record their travel experiences.

Denz revealed that he used ChatGPT extensively to assist him with the project. This impressive web app is gaining popularity among travel enthusiasts in the Philippines and around the world. So why not test your travel knowledge and see how well you know the beautiful islands of the country with My Philippines Travel Level?

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Department of tourism.

PST: 8:36:19

Media Release

The Department of Tourism (DOT) endeavors to ensure the tourism resiliency of the country’s prime destination, El Nido, Palawan, through the full implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Development Project (STDP) this year.

CORON, PALAWAN -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) expresses support for Coron’s sustainable tourism development to draw more visitors and hasten tourism recovery.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN -- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat supports the decision of Puerto Princesa City (PPC) executives to reopen its attractions to more domestic tourists with minimum health and safety standards in place.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) starting today, March 1, opens the application for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp to all DOT-accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) and tourism destinations that are open to local tourists.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the inclusion of Boracay's world-famous White Beach at the 12th spot and El Nido, Palawan's Nacpan Beach at 18th of the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2021 Best of the Best Awards Top 25 Beaches - Asia category.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is for the safe reopening of tourist destinations as this allows us to restart our economy and help our tourism workers regain their jobs. The Department therefore welcomes the approval of uniform travel protocols for all local government units (LGUs) by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to facilitate travel movement and promote local tourism.

DUMAGUETE CITY -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) commits to assist yet another provincial destination as the local executives of Negros Oriental heralds reopening its sites to more domestic tourists.

SAN JUAN, SIQUIJOR -- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat yesterday (24 February) traveled to Siquijor, as part of the ongoing efforts to assist in the safe reopening of tourist destinations in the new normal.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed support for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s ongoing streamlining of travel procedures and requirements imposed by local government units (LGUs).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) commends the local government of El Nido for the tight entry protocols enforced to guarantee the health and safety of guests, workers and host communities in the tourist destination.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Bohol, announced its online travel fair, Balik sa Bohol: Bohol Online Sale, which will run from February 21 to March 14, 2021. The island-wide travel sale will offer discounts of up to 70% off on accommodations, dining, and tour services.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced today (February 17) the formal reopening of the historic walled city of Intramuros in the new normal.

Relaxed health protocols that are standard across tourism destinations and personalized packages will encourage more Filipinos to travel locally.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), after repeated warnings against tourists who falsify their COVID tests to enter Boracay, has filed charges against the six (6) Manila-based errant tourists who were nabbed in January 2021 for Falsification of Public Documents. Marc Judicpa of the DOT Region VI-Boracay Field and Compliance Monitoring Office (BFCMO) filed the complaint.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed optimism for tourism’s speedy recovery with the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to reclassify industries for the continued reopening of the economy.

LAGUNA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) elevates cultural tourism and ecotourism in the new normal as these will heighten domestic travel in the province amidst the pandemic.

The Department of Tourism - National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) is returning with the first installment of its Leadership Excellence Series (LES) featuring a 3600 virtual learning experience. The hybrid training program inspired by the world-renowned TEDTalks will be brought to life from the traditional webinar format through 3D and greenscreen technology and is happening at the Okada Manila on February 11, 2021, from 2:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M via Zoom and simulcast over DOT-NCR’s social media channels @TourismMNL on Facebook and Twitter, and Tourism MNL on Youtube.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds COVID Task Force Chief, Secretary Carlito Galvez for granting the DOT’s request to include tourism frontline service personnel in the Priority Group of the country’s vaccination program against the coronavirus disease.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced today that Baguio hotels can resume receiving domestic tourists even under General Community Quarantine (GCQ). This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) passed Resolution No. 98 dated 04 February 2021, which granted the request of Baguio City to resume hotel operations in consideration of the huge number of confirmed bookings for the month of February.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds recent developments to ensure Southeast Asia’s competitiveness as a single tourism destination and to bolster the recovery of tourism in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on Tuesday (February 03) signed the DOT-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-001 (Amended Implementing Guidelines on Providing Financial Assistance and Cash-For-Work Program for Displaced Workers in the Tourism Sector) which amends the former JMC to further expand the coverage of beneficiaries to include Local Government-Licensed Tourism Support Service (TSS) enterprises, providers and associations of providers.

In light of the recent case of six (6) tourists entering Boracay with fake RT-PCR test results, three (3) of whom were revealed to be positive for COVID-19, the Department of Tourism (DOT) appeals to travelers to stop forging and faking travel documents, else face fines and proper criminal charges from the local government units (LGU), which may include the penalty of imprisonment.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reminds travelers that for most areas, especially for Boracay Island, a negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result is still a requirement before entry.

SAN PABLO, LAGUNA -- The development of green corridors play an important role in maintaining regional biodiversity, improving environmental quality, offering economic resilience opportunities, protecting heritage and culture, and supporting the jumpstart of the economy to restart tourism activities in the new normal.

SAN PABLO, LAGUNA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) pledges to continuously promote Laguna as a fun, safe, and sustainable tourist destination with the help of the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector in the province.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the new protocols for arriving passengers contained in the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 97 dated 28 January 2021, following the body’s decision to lift the travel ban on passengers coming from countries with reported cases of the new Covid variant.

The DOT Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) is currently investigating the reported party at a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment in Baguio City. A Notice to Explain has already been issued to the establishment.

Manila - The Department of Tourism (DOT) officially welcomed on Monday (25 January) Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila and Grand Hyatt Hotel as the first two recipients of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp issued through the DOT.

BACOLOD CITY - After the successful reopening of Boracay Island to local tourists in October 2020, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is now in talks with local government officials and tourism stakeholders of Negros Occidental to explore the reopening of the province to more domestic tourists.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is saddened by the news of the management decision to temporarily close the operations starting February 1, 2021 of Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the Slow Food Negros Community, Negros Museum, and Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, on Tuesday (January 19), launched an 82-page cookbook entitled “Negrense Heritage Cooking”.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in its Resolution dated 14 January 2021, finds the City Garden Grand Hotel (CGGH) in Makati City liable for the offense of gross and evident bad faith in dealing with clients/fraudulent solicitation of business or making any false, deceptive, or misleading claims or statements for the purpose of soliciting business from clients under Section 13.2 (c) of DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2018-03.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates anew with the world as White Beach, Boracay and El Nido, Palawan place 2nd and 9th, respectively, in Condé Nast’s Traveler's 25 Best Island Beaches in the World: 2020 Readers' Choice Awards list.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reiterates that there are only fifteen (15) accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) in Metro Manila that operate as staycation hotels as of 05 January 2021

The Department of Tourism (DOT) throws its full support for the implementation of more stringent entry protocols in view of the confirmed new COVID-19 variant.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has cautioned DOT-accredited hotels currently used as quarantine hotels to refrain from accepting guests for staycation purposes.

MANILA, Philippines – In a bid to further expand access to affordable RT-PCR (Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) test in time for New Year domestic travels, the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, inks a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) on December 28, 2020.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched the Balikan Ang Pilipinas campaign to encourage Balikbayans to travel to the Philippines this season and visit the country's sites and destinations with their loved ones.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) throws its unequivocal support to the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to temporarily suspend all flights from the United Kingdom (UK) starting Thursday, December 24, 2020 until December 31, 2020.

Baguio City – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced that about 27,000 qualified displaced tourism workers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been endorsed by the DOT to receive the P5,000.00 cash assistance under the DOT-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-001.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has slated two engagement meetings with local tourism stakeholders on the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)'s Safe Travels Stamp and its step-by-step application procedure and requirements next week, December 21.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) sets forth to satisfy holiday cravings for Filipino cuisine through its fourth installment of the KAIN NA! Food and Travel Festival happening from December 17 to 20, 2020.

To usher in the Domestic Tourism Campaign in this holiday season, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, launched “Pasko Na!”, an Audio Video Presentation (AVP) promoting traditional Filipino Christmas practices through Ryan Cayabyab’s original composition that spreads positivity and holiday cheer while aptly reminding of health and safety protocols.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds local government units (LGUs) for their efforts in reopening safe tourist destinations all over the country in answer to the increasing interest in travel and tour activities.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has collaborated with the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI) in holding a webinar training program for the hospitality sector to reduce single-use plastics while keeping in mind health and safety protocols.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) through its partner, the Makati Medical Center Foundation Inc. (MakatiMed Foundation) received strong support for its pandemic response and security initiatives in local tourism destinations in light of the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), takes a step further in promoting Manila’s cultural heritage sites, collaborating with The Manila Heritage Trail and Manila Heritage Alliance to bring a free virtual concert titled “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila” bannering the music of iconic band Hotdog to performed by various OPM artists.

Mabini, Batangas -- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday (Dec. 9), expressed support for the continued development of dive tourism in Anilao, otherwise known as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has already launched an investigation into the matter, and after due notice and hearing, will mete the proper administrative sanctions to the resort.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) condemns yet another reckless social gathering organized at a tourism establishment, this time at the Blue Coral Beach Resorts Inc. in Barangay Laiya, San Juan, Batangas on Monday, December 7.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), as the co-vice chair of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), condemns the tourists from Luzon who counterfeited COVID-19 test results upon entry in the island on Monday (Dec. 7).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reaches out to tourism workers who were affected by the closure of establishments or those which scaled down operations, to immediately avail of the expanded financial assistance as part of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act interventions to address the pandemic’s impact on Philippine tourism.

MANILA— The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) through the ratification of IATF Resolution No. 87 on December 03, 2020, to allow some types of indoor business meetings in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

BORACAY - Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in today’s Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) Meeting in the island, hammered in the importance of strictly enforcing health and safety protocols to raise visitor confidence. “We cannot stress fully enough the importance of showing our seriousness in carrying out our protocols and guidelines. Our local leadership is key in bringing forward our improved image. Furthermore, it is our wish to make more affordable RT-PCR tests to encourage more visits.”

MANILA (December 1, 2020) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT), in collaboration with Guide to the Philippines and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM)-Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center launched a follow-up survey on Philippine Travelers' sentiments in the new normal.

The Department of Tourism supports Coron, Palawan’s decision to ease its travel restrictions starting December 1, 2020, allowing local tourists from ages 15 to 65 years old to enter the island under a test-before-travel policy.

The Philippines’ dive sites and Intramuros once again bagged accolades at the 27th World Travel Awards. The award-giving body recognized the Philippines as the World's Leading Dive Destination and Intramuros as the World's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2020.

Now that the Philippines has reopened several tourist destinations after many months of closure, it’s time to show the country how to smile again. The DOT’s latest video, following the “Noypi” tribute to medical frontliners, brings us back to familiar, yet slightly different territory: tourism in the new normal.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the ratification of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 85 which includes the provision on allowing balikbayans’ entry to the Philippines.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), as co-vice chair of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) slams the irresponsible mass gathering at the Casa de Arte, Sitio Cagban, Barangay Manoc-Mano in Boracay recently.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) touts cultural tourism in Baguio as it remains optimistic that initiatives such as the Ibagíw Festival will sustain the treasured traditions and art forms of the city.

ILOCOS SUR – Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was among the first guests of Ilocos Sur as the province reopened to visitors, this time including tourists from Metro Manila.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes and supports the reopening of another premiere destination- Siargao Island.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is grateful to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) under the leadership of Senator Richard J. Gordon for the initiative to reduce the Reverse Transcription -Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing price to PHP 3,300.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) commends the City Government of Baguio, Baguio Arts and Crafts Collective, Inc., UP Baguio, DOT-CAR and the city government for the successful launch of Ibagiw 2020. The third edition of the month-long creative festival kicked off with a grand opening on November 6, 2020 at the Baguio Convention Center and was also livestreamed on Facebook.

More than 7,200 hotels, resorts and other accommodation establishments (AEs) have been authorized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to operate under different quarantine classifications and cater to different types of travelers, depending on their location and purpose.

MANILA – Banking on tourism as a key economic driver, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Nissan Philippines have embarked on a road trip geared towards promoting safe and responsible land traveling to boost domestic tourism.

To upgrade tourism education and skills training in the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has closed ranks with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Inc. (TIBFI).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s signing of Executive Order (EO) 118, today, November 4, directing the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to ensure the accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 tests and test kits for all.

The 27th World Travel Awards recognized the Philippines as Asia's leading beach destination and Asia’s leading dive destination in 2020. The award-giving body also declared the Philippine Department of Tourism as this year’s leading tourist board in Asia, besting 11 nominated countries.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) invites foodies to embark on "Food Trips" with the second leg of its virtual KAIN NA! Food and Travel Festival 2020 from November 3 to 6, 2020.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on Friday (October 30) signed the DOT-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2020-001, which contains specific guidelines for the provision of cash assistance and cash-for-work program for tourism workers that were displaced due to the ongoing pandemic.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the news that two of our prime destinations – Palawan and Boracay, have made it to Big 7 Travel’s list of the 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World (https://bigseventravel.com/2020/10/50-most-beautiful-places-in-the-world/), ranking 8th and 18th, respectively.

MANILA – The well-received online learning event dubbed the “Leadership Excellence Series (LES) 2020” is returning once again this October as it targets to rebuild consumer confidence and redefine standards for the Filipino brand of service.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat urged micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail of the CARES for Tourism Rehabilitation and Vitalization of Enterprises and Livelihood (CARES for TRAVEL) Program to help them sustain their businesses and keep their workers amid the on-going pandemic.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat appeals for a price cap on the real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Antigen tests for COVID-19 to enhance tourism revival, as the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) relaxes travel restrictions in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the decision of the Municipal Government of El Nido to ease its travel restrictions starting October 30, allowing tourists to enter the island under a test-before-travel policy.

The Board of Trustees of the Philippine Retirement Agency (PRA), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), has directed the PRA to suspend the issuance of the Special Retirees Residence Visa (SRRV) pending the review and amendments of the policies on age and visa deposit requirements.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced today that the DOT has been given the authority, by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), to determine the allowable operational capacity (up to 100%) for hotels, including staycation hotels, in areas classified under a modified community quarantine (MGCQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).

ILOCOS NORTE – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced that the Ridge and Reef Corridor heralds another milestone in the country’s bid to spur domestic tourism recovery.

The DOT welcomes the news that the province of Ilocos Sur will open to Luzon residents on November 15 once all systems and health and safety measures are in place.

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the decision of the local government unit (LGU) of Baguio City to open its doors to guests from Luzon, particularly the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions 2 and 3, starting on October 22, 2020, noting that the anticipated influx of tourists will generate tourism activities that will spur a swifter recovery of the industry.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the amended guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EIMD) regarding the more liberal interzonal and intrazonal movement of persons traveling between destinations under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat issued a reminder to “staycation hotels,” to adhere to the guidelines and protocols set by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and ensure a memorable and safe staycation of guests taking a break from months of quarantine.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) calls on divers to dust off their masks, fins, snorkels, regulators, and other gear as popular dive sites in Batangas prepare to welcome tourists.

Bring your own gear and use a defog solution for your mask.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) today (October 12) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to finalize the CARES for Tourism Rehabilitation and Vitalization of Enterprises and Livelihood ( TRAVEL) program that will extend loan assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the tourism industry.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) will provide a total of Php 1.6 million funding to Boracay to cover the cost of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for the island’s tourism workers, as it expects more local tourist arrivals in the coming months.

Ilocos Norte, which is famous for a variety of attractions, including panoramic ocean views, a breathtaking wind farm, baroque architecture, and sand dunes adventure, is reopening its doors to more tourists from the rest of Luzon on October 15.

Cebu and Visayas Islands have been named Top Island in Asia, leading three other Philippine islands in the top ten of the Conde Naste Traveler's (CNT) 2020 Readers' Choice Awards.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat welcomes the adoption of the Antigen Testing as a way to determine if Baguio City's visitors are COVID-19 free.

The Commission on Audit (COA) Renders an “Unqualified Opinion” over the Department of Tourism's Financial Statements as of December 31, 2019.

BORACAY — The reopening of Boracay, the Philippines’ top destination, to new market sources signals the safe and gradual revival of the country’s tourism industry amid the pandemic, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Thursday (Oct. 1).

Tourism enterprises can now apply online for accreditation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) with the launch of its Online Accreditation System.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has issued strict guidelines for “staycations” as part of the government efforts to re-start the economy through tourism.

On behalf of the Philippines Department of Tourism, let me warmly wish everyone a happy and meaningful World Tourism Day. This year’s theme, “Tourism and Rural Development,” is particularly relevant to our country as many of our rural areas depend on tourism but have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

PANGLAO, Bohol – Even in the most unusual ways, the travel business has to continue to keep tourism alive.

Boracay Island will further open its doors to more local tourists on October 1, thus signaling the continued resurgence of domestic tourism nationwide.

BAGUIO CITY –Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is back in the Summer Capital of the Philippines to officially launch the city’s first online visitor management system today (September 22).

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has given the Department of Tourism (DOT) a SafeTravels Stamp in recognition of its adoption of “health and hygiene global standardized protocols” that will ensure safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic tourism will be the main concentration of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in rebuilding trust and confidence in the travel market for next year.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) disclosed on Thursday (Sept. 17) some details of the loan program for tourism MSMEs that is being finalized with the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

MANILA - A virtual ceremonial toast with customized wooden chalices marked the official start of the four-day KAIN NA! Food and Travel Festival 2020 on Tuesday (Sept. 15) with chocolate, coffee and tea taking the spotlight.

More than 10,000 jobs in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry would be made available to displaced tourism workers nationwide this month.

Lifeguards will not be the only ones on patrol when the beaches and resorts reopen for business under the tourism industry’s “new normal.” Safety marshalls will also be on site to ensure physical distancing.

MANILA -- The Philippines, through the Department of Tourism (DOT), successfully hosted the virtual edition of the 3rd International Conference on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (ASEAN MRA-TP) that is expected to largely influence the Department’s Tourism Response and Recovery Plan (TRRP), particularly its human resource component.

The Department of Tourism's food and travel festival, Kain Na!, is back and is prepared to serve exciting culinary tourism delights that everyone can enjoy online and in the comfort of their homes from September 15-18.

It’s official—the Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) is back for its 2nd edition through a digital platform from October 9 to 11, 2020.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), consistent with the President’s direction, has been engaging with the local governments, other national government agencies and local tourism stakeholders for the gradual reopening of the sector while underscoring the strict compliance of health and safety protocols.

TOKYO – The Philippines received the award as the Best Overseas Diving Area in the Marine Diving Awards 2020 held recently in Tokyo.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the mention of multiple Philippine dive sites in the Lonely Planet's article entitled *quot;6 national parks around the world with surprisingly spectacular diving".

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) threw its full support behind the Ridge to Reef Corridor Plan, one of the key strategies being explored to ensure Baguio City's gradual and safe reopening to tourists from nearby provinces within the year.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expresses its deep gratitude to the Bicameral Conference Committee for approving the allocation of 10 billion pesos for the tourism industry under the Bayanihan To Recover As One or the Bayanihan 2 Bill. The recognition of the tourism sector by the Senate and House of Representatives, in the Bayanihan Act 2 measures, ensures the survival of our MSMEs since 99.9 percent of the 144,640 establishments in accommodation and food service activities are considered micro, small and medium, according to 2018 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Online shoppers can now enjoy varied Philippine flavors, quality–sealed fresh and processed food selections, and other essentials all under one platform which provides a seamless shopping experience for the customer.

Panglao, BOHOL – Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat assured the officials and tourism players of Bohol on Friday that reopening the island province to tourism would not be pursued at the expense of public health and safety.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pulling out all the stops to ensure that health and safety measures are in place in the country's tourist destinations and to reassure all stakeholders of government support as the industry prepares to slowly reopen.

It's a new world out there and we have to think out of the box if we want to go back to business as usual.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) expresses optimism for the recovery of the tourism industry, following the Senate approval of the Senate Bill 1564 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act on its third and final reading Tuesday (July 28)..

Boracay Island is now open to young and senior tourists from the Western Visayas region.

Meetings, conventions and exhibitions can be held only in areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) and only at 50 percent capacity, according to the guidelines set by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) will team up with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to promote farm tourism and help the country's tourism industry recover from the COVID–19 pandemic.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat has given the directive for schools to continue online English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to maintain the country's position as a leading ESL destination.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) today celebrates the hailing of Palawan as it reclaims the Best Island in the World title by renowned travel publication, Travel + Leisure.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat said that more restaurants in Metro Manila are seeking accreditation with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Dairy, fresh fruits, vegetables and other daily essentials will soon be delivered to your doorsteps by GrabExpress from 40 small farmers and MSMEs participating under the Department of Tourism's (DOT) Philippine Harvest online trade fair.

EL NIDO, PALAWAN -- Eyeing tourism recovery in the reopening of more destinations, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat today checked the readiness of one of the Philippines' favorite destinations – Palawan.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez led the inspection of selected hotels and restaurants in the Ortigas Center on Wednesday (July 1) to check compliance with health and safety protocols under Metro Manila's General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that it anticipates the reopening of the tourism industry in concurrence with the local government units (LGU), with the easing of travel restrictions, as more places around the country transition to a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Domestic travel will lead the recovery of the country's tourism industry with Filipino travelers expecting to go to destinations closer to home and spending less amid lingering health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat hailed on Friday the reactivation of the Tourist Police units, saying it would hasten the tourism industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tourism industry will recover well from three months of quarantine and restore the jobs lost by millions of Filipinos dependent on the industry.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the inclusion of Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan in Condé Nast Traveller's (CNT) "The 30 Best Beaches in the World" feature. The list was made in light of the pandemic, stating that "…while the world waits to find out when we can travel again, now is the time to think about a future summer holiday visiting one of the world's best beaches."

The tourism industry increased its contribution to the country's economy to almost 13 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to government statistics.

In line with the Department of Tourism's (DOT) priority effort to roll out its new health and safety standards as well as the Inter-Agency Task Force on the management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) restrictions among tourism stakeholders nationwide, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Juan, La Union recently conducted spot inspections among tourism stakeholders in its popular beach and surfing area and clamped down on enterprises that have violated national and local government issuances during the period of quarantine.

The Boracay Interagency Task Force (BIATF) decries the entry of a group of travelers to Boracay last June 12 that stayed up to June 14 when the island was not officially open for tourism.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases' (IATF-EID) approval of the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) recommendation to allow the partial dine-in operations of restaurants in localities under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

"The partnership of the public and private sector to ensure the safety and sustainability of tourism should be a model for other island destinations in the country," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said during the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force BIATF meeting in Boracay on June 11, 2020.

While travel restrictions are still in place, for both domestic and foreign travel, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has been maintaining its presence online with its most recent digital campaign, “Wake Up in the Philippines” and its microsite philippines.travel/safeph for relevant updates on tourism-related sectors in the Philippines.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has issued the New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines for Tourist Land Transport Services covering transport operators/owners, passengers, vehicles, and drivers.

The Inter–Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF–EID) further stressed the importance of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Certificate of Authority to operate for accommodation establishments (AEs) going back to business during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), and General Community Quarantine (GCQ) periods.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has released Memorandum Circular No 2020-004 or the "New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines for DOT–Accredited Restaurants" that will cover the areas of Management; Configuration and Set–up; Employees; Customers; Service and other Procedure; Delivery; and Sanitation, Disinfection, Safety Measure, and others.

The Department of Tourism welcomes the latest tourism–related distinction received by the country, having been recently named as one of the "Rising Stars in Travel" by Forbes.com, the website of the respected American business and financial news publication.

The joint recommendations of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on health and safety protocols for restaurant dine–in operations were approved by the Inter–Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF–EID).

With the hampered travel movement brought about by the COVID–19 pandemic situation, work and play are inevitably done online. The evolving crisis and in anticipation of other challenges, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies are making sure that Philippine tourism remains competitive, adapts well and takes advantage of the digital revolution.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat reminds tourism stakeholders, particularly hotel and resort entrepreneurs to secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate before going back to business under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) maintained its commitment to the Filipino Brand of Service and Hospitality, as exhibited by the agency's successful initiatives to assist a total of 36,947 stranded foreign and domestic tourists, since land, air, and sea travel restrictions were placed by the government as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the disease.

We must make the transition to digital and online for our industry to survive.

The DOT welcomes the gradual re-opening of tourism operations in light of the varied community quarantine levels across the country, hoping to pave the eventual recovery of the Philippines' tourism industry.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) remains optimistic that the Philippines will regain the tourists' trust in the country as a safe and viable tourism destination sooner, and hasten recovery of the country's tourism industry.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the encouraging developments towards reopening of tourist destinations and ensured that the tourism sector is ready to provide service under the post-lockdown "New Normal" scenario.

At least 84 domestic tourists stranded in Eastern Visayas since last March finally returned home with the assistance of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in joint efforts with other agencies and local government units (LGUs).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has released the Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operations of Accommodation Establishments under the New Normal, indicating quite a number of significant changes in the country's frontline tourist services.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed confidence that an imaginative Filipino gastronomy will remain a strong pillar of the country’s tourism industry under the new normal.

How will the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic crisis impact and reshape tourism, sustainability and conservation programs at the country' heritage sites under the new normal?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) commits to sustain the Filipino brand of hospitality and service to stranded tourists amid the government-enforced community quarantine brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

With Metro Manila now placed under modified enhanced community quarantine and the majority of the other places in the country under general community quarantine or GCQ, the DOT, together with the Inter–Agency Taskforce on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF–EID) and several local government units (LGU), are preparing for the revival and re–opening of tourism in the Philippines once our places are classified under the modified GCQ (MGCQ).

The tourism industry will recover.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in an advisory directed hotel operators and their ancillary establishments to submit detailed documentation on their safety protocols for their food preparation services.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat said the tourism industry is ready to face the reality and daunting challenges of the "new normal," referring to new standards and protocols for safe and responsible tourism that will direct its path to recovery.

A total of 155,672 employees from 4,290 tourism–related enterprises received their cash grants under the joint program of the Department of Finance (DOF), Social Security System (SSS), and Bureau of Internal Revenue, called the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBSW) program as of May 4.

MANILA – Over 1,000 domestic tourists who were stranded in various tourist destinations in the country have returned home, mostly in Metro Manila, with the assistance of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat reaffirmed the country's commitment to the regional tourism cooperation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOT, TPB launch official Philippine travel app – Friday, October 30, 2020

Manila, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines launched Travel Philippines, the country’s official travel companion, today, 30 October 2020. The app provides users access to the latest travel advisories and safety guidelines in various destinations that have reopened to tourism. The easy-to-use platform allows users to create itineraries for their future trips, find up-to-date information on their favorite tourist attractions, and securely store digital copies of travel documents. “As we continue to reopen the country’s tourism destinations, Travel Philippines timely serves as every tourist’s official guide to safe and fun travel,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. “With the ever-changing needs and challenges in travel brought about by the pandemic, Travel Philippines will help both domestic and international tourists have safer and more memorable travel experiences amid our ‘new normal’,” added the tourism chief. DOT and TPB developed Travel Philippines in partnership with inclusion tech venture builder HIMO Global Inc. / Talino Venture Labs. “Unlike other travel companions, we created the go-to companion for the traveler in the new normal, prioritizing ease in access to the latest safety information about their favorite destinations,” said Winston Damarillo, CEO of HIMO Global Inc./ Talino Venture Labs. Within Travel Philippines is an extensive database of various destinations and attractions that are reopening after the COVID-19 community quarantines. At launch, Travel Philippines features six major tourist destinations: Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Baguio, Ilocos Norte, and Metro Manila. The App will be regularly updated with the latest information on these six locations as well as more travel destinations around the Philippines. On top of the basic travel information about these destinations, Travel Philippines will also contain the latest health and safety protocols being implemented within these locations, sourced directly from their local tourism offices. Travel Philippines also features a built-in itinerary maker that integrates with its extensive catalogue of tourist attractions, local restaurants, and accommodation establishments. Users can bookmark any of the locations they read about within the platform and plan out their trips based on their preferences. Tourists can also upload into their personal Travel Philippines account, digital copies of pertinent documents such as boarding passes, hotel reservations, and medical certificates. Through its encrypted platform, the app will offer users a go-to folder for all of their documents and forms, which they will be able to access even if their device does not have an Internet connection. “Travel Philippines marks DOT’s continued push to breathe new life into the severely affected tourism industry by promoting safe and responsible travel. We look forward to seeing both domestic and international tourists use Travel Philippines in their future trips,” concluded Romulo-Puyat. ###

Tourism Secretary Puyat scans a Quick Response (QR) code for check–in procedures as tourism establishments adapt to digitalization and new normal

Health and safety remains the top priority as tourism reopens in Palawan as discussed by Tourism Secretary Puyat, Governor Alvarez and El Nido Mayor Edna Lim (right)

Tourism Secretary Puyat meets the members of the media via a virtual press conference to discuss the destination's tourism recovery.

L–R Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat, El Nido Mayor Edna Lim, Tourism Promotions Board COO Maria Anthonette Velasco–Allones, and Ten Knots Development Corporation COO Javier Hernandez in front of the El Nido backdrop after the site inspection.

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Gaano karaming lugar na sa Pilipinas ang iyong nalakbay?

Island photo with inserted My Philippines Travel Level app

Latest craze ngayon sa Pinoy netizens ang simpleng web app na My Philippines Travel Level.

Kaya naman ang Facebook feeds ay punung-puno ng posts na nagpapakita ng mapa ng Pilipinas, at ang bawat rehiyon ay may iba’t ibang kulay.

Sample of My Philippines Travel Level app

Ang proyektong ito ay na-develop ni Denz Del Villar, isang Filipino software engineer na kasalukuyang nakabase sa Singapore.

Ang purpose niya ay para ma-visualize ng users kung gaano karaming lugar na sa Pilipinas ang kanilang nalakbay.

Inspired ito sa Japan version, at nabuo niya gamit ang ReactJS, isang open-source JavaScript framework and library na na-develop ng Facebook.

Ginagamit ito sa pagbuo ng interactive-user interfaces and web applications nang mabilis at efficient gamit.

Read also: Tourism chief, pinakitang safe ang scuba diving sa Puerto Galera

Paano gamitin ang My Philippines Travel Level app?

Ang Philippine map ay binubuo ng 83 Philippine provinces.

Ang gagawin lang ng user ay i-click ang probinsiya at i-shade ito choosing a color na ayon sa level, na base sa sumusunod:

Lived there – kung naglaan kayo ng malaking bahagi ng inyong buhay sa nasabing area.
Stayed there – kung natulog kayo sa nasabing area kahit isang gabi lang.
Visited there – nakapaglaan kayo ng ilang oras para ma-explore ang area.
Alighted there – kung nag-drop off lang kayo para sa sandaling stopover, layover, or transfer.
Passed there – napadaan lang kayo sa area pero hindi kayo bumaba o nakatuntong man lang.
Never been there – kailangan na ninyong bisitahin ang nasabing lugar.

The leveScreenshot of Screenshot of My Philippines Travel Level

Read also: Tara na sa Mapanuepe Lake, ang “New Zealand ng Zambales”

Ang total score o "level" ay maa-update accordingly.

Maaaring i-save ang image o, better, i-screenshot, at i-share sa social media.

Mare-reset siya if you accidentally click a province, kasi, you will get redirected to Google. Ibig sabihin, mawawala ang mga naunang shadings.

Kaya iwasang ma-click ang probinsiya sa pop-up where you choose the level.

Ipinaliwanag ni Denz na technically, mayroon lang 82 probinsiya ang Pilipinas.

Ang Metro Manila ay isang administrative region.

Read also: Vlogger dedma sa mga hindi pabor na mag-post ng travel photos sa social media

Nabanggit din ni Denz na dahil siya ang nag-develop ng My Philippines Travel Level app, medyo diyahe siya dahil ang kanyang level ay 62.

Sa kaso ni former Vice President Leni Robredo, nasa level 315 siya.

Napuntahan na niya ang 83 provinces, "stayed" in 61 of them , visited 20, and she has lived in two.

Samantala, ibinahagi rin ni Denz na gumamit siya ng artificial-intelligence chatbot na chatGPT para mabuo ang proyekto.

Dagdag pa niya, “If you have any comments or if you want to contribute to this project, please do reach out.”

Maaari siyang ma-contact through his Instagram account.

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Tried the Philippine travel level app? Let Leni Robredo outdo you

You may have been seeing images of a Philippine map in various colors on your feed. That’s thanks to a now-viral web app called My Philippines Travel Map, allowing users to track the provinces they have been to.

The map assigns scores or “levels” depending on whether they’ve stayed in a particular area for a long time, spent a night, or even passed through.

Even former Vice President Leni Robredo got in on the action, as she posted her own results to her supporters’ delight.

The former VP earned a score of Level 315, revealing that she has visited every province in the Philippines.

The app defines “visited” as having spent hours exploring the area but did not spend the night.

Robredo only identified two areas as having lived there: Camarines Sur, which is where Naga City, her hometown, is geographically located; and Metro Manila.

To refresh one’s memory: Robredo was noteworthy for launching a “people’s campaign” for the May 2022 presidential election, and became the only presidential candidate of that season to have visited all provinces in the Philippines.

The ex-VP’s post sent followers on a nostalgia trip.

“We have a winner,” one wrote.

“You also live in our hearts, ma’am,” another commented.

“The busiest Vice President in our history! The lack of funds did not stop you from serving your people. Your resourcefulness, innovativeness, positive outlook and goal oriented mindset pushed you to do the unimaginable. Thank you so much for continuing to uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos,” one follower wrote.

Robredo founded the Angat Buhay Foundation after her term as Vice President expired, which continued the programs spearheaded under the Office of the Vice President.

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A simple web app that visualizes how well-travelled you are in the Philippines

OSSPhilippines/philippines-travel-level-map

Folders and files, repository files navigation, philippines travel level map.

Mark the places you've visited and see which other more you wanna go to!

Code of conduct

Contributors 11.

JavaScript 85.0%

What happens if it's cloudy for the April 8 solar eclipse?

Though everyone is hoping for clear skies, here's what might happen if an eclipse-chaser's worst enemy — clouds — decides to make an appearance.

a mostly cloudy sky obscures the sun and a person is below holding a camera up towards the sky.

If you cannot watch the eclipse in person or the weather is unfavorable, you can watch the total solar eclipse live here on Space.com . And keep up with all the actions with our total solar eclipse 2024 live updates blog.

It's now less than a week until the total solar eclipse on April 8 .

While many people will strive to be within the path of totality , where the moon's shadow completely blocks the sun's face. But even if you're within this path, it doesn't guarantee you'll have clear skies on eclipse day.

So what happens if it's cloudy where you are on April 8? Will you notice anything as the moon's shadow sweeps over you?

That depends on how thick and how extensive the clouds are. Regardless, you will certainly notice some very unusual effects when the moon's shadow passes by. I have had the misfortune of being completely clouded out of two of the 13 total solar eclipses I have journeyed to, and in a third case, I managed to sneak in a view of the corona even though virtually the entire sky was clouded over.

Related: How to give yourself the best chance of clear skies for April 8's solar eclipse

So, based on those three experiences, here is what you can expect to see if the weather does not work in your favor and you ultimately must utter those two words every eclipse chaser does not want to hear: "Clouded out!"

Passage of the moon's shadow

Celestron EclipSmart Solar Eclipse Glasses on a white background

Available in a handy four-pack to kit out the whole family, these Celestron EclipSmart Solar Eclipse Glasses will keep you well protected while you view the eclipse. And don't miss our full guide to the best solar eclipse glasses and the best solar viewing kits to make the most of your experience.

Should there be considerable cloud cover on "E-Day," the clouds may actually have an advantage: They will provide a projection screen of sorts to view the rapid approach and departure of the moon's dark umbral shadow. Isabel Martin Lewis described the effect in her 1924 book "A Handbook of Solar Eclipses."

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"At the time of eclipse when the shadow of the moon sweeps over us we are brought into direct contact with a tangible presence from space beyond and we feel the immensity of forces over which we have no control," Lewis wrote. "The effect is awe-inspiring in the extreme. In fact, the passing of the moon's shadow, if one is fortunate to observe it, will be one of the most impressive features of the eclipse."

Mid-to-high-level clouds

partial eclipse through clouds. The sun appears to take a crescent shape as the moon appears to take a

If your sky is covered with mid-to-high-level clouds — cirrostratus, altostratus and/or cirrocumulus — you will likely be able to see the forward edge of the elliptical shadow move rapidly toward you and then over you just prior to and at the onset of totality. And with its passage may come a remarkable change in the overall quality of light on the surrounding landscape and a dramatic change in the clouds' color.

On July 10, 1972, at my very first total solar eclipse , my family and I were located just outside Cap-Chat, Quebec, a sleepy Canadian community of 2,000 whose population swelled to nearly 30,000 on eclipse day. The eclipse began under bright sunshine, mixed with some wispy high clouds. But as more and more of the sun became covered, the high cloudiness quickly increased and began to lower so that, at the onset of totality, virtually the whole sky was covered by a swath of battleship-gray clouds.

But upon the arrival of the moon's shadow, we saw its distinctly sharp edge move in. For those of a certain age who might remember the long-running television soap opera "The Edge of Night," whose opening showed an animation with a line of darkness sweeping over a city, that's exactly what I was reminded of as we were enveloped by the moon's umbral shadow. Once you actually experience it for yourself, it becomes easy to understand why this sight was so terrifying to ancient people.

Along with the sudden darkness came a change in the clouds' color. Behind the forward-moving edge of the moon's shadow were strange and exotic colors. The dull gray suddenly became yellow-orange and tints you'd see while looking through a beer or iodine bottle. Indeed, along the very edge of the disappearing sun at the start and end of totality, an arc of ruby red or fuchsia associated with the solar chromosphere appeared. It looked bright red because the hydrogen in the sun was emitting a reddish light at high temperatures, and some of this light may become evident in the clouds at the beginning and end of totality.

Some final comments regarding my 1972 eclipse experience. Despite the heavy cloud cover, we managed to catch sight of the totally eclipsed sun through a fortuitous opening in the overcast sky, some 30 seconds after totality began. As totality was ending, we saw the back edge of the shadow distinctly, projected on the clouds, racing away to the northeast. I remember my grandfather calling out to my grandmother, "Inez! Look, look! It's going that way." Meanwhile, my sister Lisa, taking this all in, said simply, "That was weird! "

"Incredible sight!"

Interestingly, in March 1970, during special coverage of the total solar eclipse on CBS TV , correspondent Bill Plante (1938-2022) was stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, under cloudy skies. Yet he was quite attentive to the changes taking place as the lunar shadow swept in.

"In the last 30 seconds we have witnessed the most incredible sight — in spite of the fact that we cannot see the sun — for it has become as dark as night!" he said. "The light has fallen so quickly, from an acceptable twilight or reading level or cloud-cover level, to virtual night. And just off to the north and to the east, beneath this layer of dark, dark sky, there is a lovely pink and orange horizon; an orange and gold color. We say again, it was just an incredible and fascinating phenomenon, to have the skies go so suddenly dark, in less than 30 seconds, and now we have this totality of an eclipse!"

It sounds like Plante was impressed, despite the clouds.

Just a few clouds

eclipse sequence 2017 shows the series of eclipse phases in a mostly clear sky with a cloud in the lower left part of the image and a tree to the left.

Sometimes, you're lucky enough to get a mainly clear sky. But even then, unfortunately, one of the few clouds in the sky might happen to be in front of the sun during the total phase of the eclipse.

That happened to me on Oct. 12, 1977, in Colombia, South America. During the 38-second interval of totality, a single rag of cloud drifted in front of the sun. Should something like that happen to you, the best you can do is look around the darkened sky for some of the brighter stars and planets and try to watch for the passage of the moon's shadow.

As I noted in my personal journal later on, "When totality arrived, virtually the entire sky was clear and the seeing and transparency were close to excellent. We were able to easily see seven stars and were awed at third contact by the passage of the moon's umbral shadow cone retreating rapidly to the east. And in the east, part of a rainbow changed to all red just as totality began.

"There was only one thing wrong: The sun was behind a cloud! It began encroaching upon the sun a few minutes before totality and left just a minute or two after the sun began to reappear. As if to rub salt into the wound, not another cloud interfered, even as the partially eclipsed sun set behind the Andes! For me, Colombia was Cap Chat in reverse. What goes around, comes around!"

For more on this misadventure, read my colleague Glenn Schneider's comments .

Thick, low clouds

Finally, there is the possibility that on eclipse day, your view will be covered by clouds at low altitudes, generally below 6,500 feet (1,980 meters). They tend to be thick, low, flat clouds that cover large areas and often bring precipitation.

In December 2021, my wife Renate and I were on board an icebreaker, sailing off the coast of Antarctica, when we encountered the moon's shadow for a total eclipse lasting just over a minute and a half. Unfortunately, our skies were heavily overcast with low clouds and spotty, light precipitation.

In such a situation, the effects of a total solar eclipse can best be described as being in a lighted room where someone turns a dimmer switch down and then turns it back up, causing the light to return.

As I noted in my story for Space.com , "Totality lasted 97 seconds. No distinct shadow or cone of darkness was noted. Rather, just an amorphous darkening of the sky — like someone turning down a rheostat or dimmer switch. No colors were seen and the end of totality seemed more pronounced as the light seemed to come back quicker than it when it faded away. During totality, it actually began to drizzle very lightly and a few minutes after third contact it actually started to snow lightly. The air temperature hovered at around 0°C (32°F), but factoring in the winds made it feel noticeably colder."

a dark image of a ship with people standing out on the deck and thick gray clouds above.

Final thoughts

I suppose Antarctica was the most disappointing of all my eclipse experiences; aside from getting dark and light again, there really wasn't much more to see. I hope everyone who positions themselves in the path of the moon's dark shadow will get a clear view of the April 8 eclipse. But as you can see, unless the clouds are low and thick with some rain or snow falling, the moon's shadow racing by and the eerie colors accompanying it should still make for quite a show!

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Joe Rao is Space.com's skywatching columnist, as well as a veteran meteorologist and eclipse chaser who also serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmers' Almanac and other publications. Joe is an 8-time Emmy-nominated meteorologist who served the Putnam Valley region of New York for over 21 years. You can find him on Twitter and YouTube tracking lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers and more. To find out Joe's latest project, visit him on Twitter.

Total solar eclipse 2024: Live updates

These solar eclipse 2024 photos from our readers are absolutely amazing (images, video)

Satellite views of solar eclipse 2024: See the moon's shadow race across North America (video, photos)

FranRouse I was lucky enough to live downtown Charleston, S.C. in 2017 and witness the Total Solar Eclipse. It was a sight to see for sure and I hope to see this one. Only thing is now I live near Pittsburgh, Pa. and not in the direct path. And the weather is unpredictable this time of year with rain and still even snow possible. Ive seen a few eclipses in my lifetime and the one thing I want to stress is PLEASE WEAR EYE PROTECTION!!!!!!!!! When I was younger and seen my first one as kids we thought we were invincible and well being Gen X our parents weren't always around and a lot of us didn't have a clue about not looking directly into the sun. And some of us have really bad eyesight and as we get even older it's failing rapidly. I made that mistake back then so my eyes aren't good anymore. In 2017 I wore protection and made sure all my family wore it to witness the Eclipse. And all of them will wear it if we get the chance to see it this time also. Reply
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IMAGES

My Philippines Travel Level Map Feature, How to Use It
My Philippines Travel Level: Who Created It And How To Use It
Track Where You’ve Been in the Philippines with My Philippines Travel Level
Robredo shares own version of 'My Philippines Travel Level' online map
My Philippines Travel Level Tutorial
Discover Your Philippines Travel Level with the Viral 'My Philippines

VIDEO

My expenses in the Philippines revealed
HOW MUCH IS SIARGAO?
Etravel Arrival Philippines
How to register in E-TRAVEL for DEPARTURE? (Leaving the Philippines)
E-Arrival Card Online Registration Tutorial & Guide
ETRAVEL REGISTRATION FOR UNVACCINATED PASSENGERS GOING TO PHILIPPINES| ARE THERE ANY CHANGES?

COMMENTS

My Philippines Travel Level Map Feature, How to Use It
How the My Philippines Travel Level Was Created. Singapore-based Filipino software engineer Denz del Villar created the app after he was inspired by a similar program made for Japan. Del Villar told SPOT.ph that he lived in Japan for two years so when he encountered JapanEx in 2019, he thought the Philippines should have its own interactive ...
My Philippines Travel Level
Hello there! My name is Denz and I am a Filipino software engineer currently based in Singapore. Embarrassingly, my Philippines travel level is only 62. This is my first time dabbling with ReactJS, and I used chatGPT heavily to help me with this project. If you have any comments or if you want to contribute to this project, please do reach out!
My Philippines Travel Level
A simple web app to visualize how well-travelled you are in the Philippines Home; Level: 4 Level: 5 Level: 3 Level: 2 ... 4 Level: 5 Level: 3 Level: 2 Level: 1 Level: 0 Stayed there Lived there Visited there Alighted there Passed there Never been there Philippines Level 0. Save Image Reset Share If you liked this project and want it to be ...
What's your Philippine Travel Level? Filipinos flex their past local
Singapore-based Filipino software engineer Denz del Villar created a web app that can help you visualize the places you've been to in the country. Dubbed the My Philippines Travel Level, the software features the Philippine map divided into 83 provinces where users can "choose the appropriate level of travel.".
How ChatGPT helped software engineer create viral Philippine travel
Apr 17, 2023 3:58 PM PHT. Russell Ku. INFO. Denz Del Villar estimates that around 70% to 80% of the now-viral My Philippines Travel Level website was done with the help of ChatGPT. MANILA ...
Explore the Philippines with the 'My Philippines Travel Level' Map
The Philippines, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty, is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. Denz del Villar(SE) has introduced an exciting new tool, the "My Philippines Travel Level" Fill-It-In Map, designed to help travelers document and share their Philippine adventures in a creative way.
My Philippines Travel Level: Who Created It And How To Use It
This app will help you find it out. My Philippines Travel Level ( my-philippines-travel-level.com) allows users to shade the areas they've been to in the Philippines—anywhere from passing by the area on route to their vacation to living in that province—and gives them their Travel Level which they can share on social media.
My Philippines Travel Level
A simple web app to visualize how well-travelled you are in the Philippines
Denz, a Filipino Open Source Developer, and How His App Became an
How the My Philippines Travel Level was Created. My Philippines Travel Level web app was created by Denz del Villar, a Filipino software engineer based in Singapore. Denz got inspired by JapanEx, a similar program made for Japan, during his two-year stay in Japan. His desire to have an interactive travel map for the Philippines led him to start ...
DOT, TPB launch official Philippine travel app
Manila, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines launched Travel Philippines, the country's official travel companion, today, 30 October 2020. The app provides users access to the latest travel advisories and safety guidelines in various destinations that have reopened to tourism.
Track Where You've Been in the Philippines with My Philippines Travel Level
What is My Philippines Travel Level? The web app helps users see how well they have traveled the Philippines. The web app was inspired by a Japanese version. Photo from Chang Felisco Cruz How to Use The App. Once you open the web app, you will see a map divided into 82 Philippine provinces. Users have to click on an area and choose the ...
Robredo shares own version of 'My Philippines Travel Level' online map
Former vice president Leni Robredo rode the "Philippines travel level" trend on social media by sharing her own generated map online. The Angat Buhay NGO chair on Thursday said that she "took the test," which earned her a high mark of "Philippines Level 315.". According to her map, she has the following respective levels: Robredo ...
How Denz Del Villar Created the Philippines Travel Level Map App
The Philippines' Tubbataha Is One of the World's Best Scuba Diving Destinations. "In 2019, I encountered the Japan version of the map," Denz del Villar tells Esquire Philippines. "I used to live and work in Japan from 2015 to 2017, so I found it entertaining to color the map. That's also when I immediately thought of doing a Philippines ...
HOW TO USE MY PHILIPPINES TRAVEL LEVEL ? || HOW TO KNOW YOUR ...
Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpfL3B4VQfX-kKR3Aho1QQ/joinHow to use My Philippines Travel Level Com in Android P...
My Philippines Travel Level Uses ChatGPT
By: Dale Arasa - @inquirerdotnet. 09:24 AM April 18, 2023. The My Philippines Travel Level app was trending as people returned to vacation spots after the pandemic. Yet, you may not have been ...
My Philippines Travel Level web app goes viral
My Philippines Travel Level is a simple yet brilliant web app built using ReactJS that enables users to visualize and track their travel experiences in the Philippines with just a few clicks. "This is my first time dabbling with ReactJS, and I'm thrilled with the result," Denz shared. The web app features a map of the Philippines divided ...
Department of Tourism-Philippines
Manila, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines launched Travel Philippines, the country's official travel companion, today, 30 October 2020. The app provides users access to the latest travel advisories and safety guidelines in various destinations that have reopened to tourism.
My Philippines Travel Level app dominating Pinoys' Facebook feeds
Published Apr 14, 2023. Sa pamamagitan ng "My Philippines Travel Level" app, malalaman kung gaano na karaming lugar ang nalakbay sa Pilipinas. (Photo courtesy of Ambo Delilan) Latest craze ngayon sa Pinoy netizens ang simpleng web app na My Philippines Travel Level. Kaya naman ang Facebook feeds ay punung-puno ng posts na nagpapakita ng ...
Tried the Philippine travel level app? Let Leni Robredo outdo you
The former VP earned a score of Level 315, revealing that she has visited every province in the Philippines. The app defines "visited" as having spent hours exploring the area but did not spend the night. Robredo only identified two areas as having lived there: Camarines Sur, which is where Naga City, her hometown, is geographically located ...
'My Philippines Travel Level' Web App
Recently, a web app called "My Philippines Travel Level" took the internet by storm. The web app will score how well-traveled you are based on the number of places you visited, stayed in, or just passed by in the country. It is made by Singapore-based software engineer Denz del Villar.
Travel Philippines
About this app. arrow_forward. Travel Philippines is your one-tap app for your travel essentials. Log in/Register on your mobile phone to create and manage your profile. General Features: Check the current weather, identify current location. Be up-to-date with the latest Travel Advisories.
r/Philippines on Reddit: I made a web app to visualize how well
Provinces of the Philippines. In the Philippines, provinces (Filipino: lalawigan) are one of its primary political and administrative divisions. There are 82 provinces at present, which are further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The local government units in the National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are ...
GitHub
A simple web app that visualizes how well-travelled you are in the Philippines - OSSPhilippines/philippines-travel-level-map
What happens if it's cloudy for the April 8 solar eclipse?
And keep up with all the actions with our total solar eclipse 2024 live updates blog. It's now less than a week until the total solar eclipse on April 8. While many people will strive to be within ...