The Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines have launched Virtual Destination Videos and 360° VR Experiential Tours, as part of their SmarTourism initiative.
TPB’s chief operating officer Maria Anthonette C Velasco-Allones said the digitalisation push is a product of their drive “to do better amid the trying times”.
“It’s not only a teaser for our foreign guests so they can get a good glimpse of our country in the new normal; it’s also a gift to our kababayans and OFWs who have been wanting to come home. And it’s a way to experience the Philippines vicariously and a guide to making every minute of your travel experience count,” she said.
The Virtual Destination Videos series is spearheaded by the DoT and supports TPB’s It’s More Fun With You campaign, which welcomes both domestic and international travellers back to Philippines. Content invites the audience to look forward to travelling safely in the country after the long hiatus.
The virtual videos showcase the best-of-the-best in Boracay, Palawan, Baguio/Cordillera, Manila, Pampanga/Zambales, Pangasinan/La Union, Ilocos Norte/Ilocos Sur, Bohol, Cebu, Bukidnon/Camiguin/Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo/Guimaras, Davao, Batangas, Tarlac/ Bataan, and various UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Besides allowing viewers to travel vicariously to the country’s tourist spots and activities, the web-based 360° virtual reality tour serves as a marketing tool for travel agents, helping them to promote Philippines digitally, as well as improve their destination knowledge.
The virtual reality tour is accessible via www.tpb.pcitech.com.ph/map, where the regions of Ilocos and Calabarzon can be viewed currently.
“Technology plays an essential role in promoting destinations, attractions, and activities here in our country. By leveraging on it, we have found new opportunities amid the crisis and new ways to tell the world that, hey, the Philippines is alive and well, worthy to see and explore, and remains as beautiful and fun as ever,” said DoT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat during the launch event.
