PH launches ‘motourismo’ to attract riders to travel

HITTING THE ROAD. Riders traverse through Rizal, one of the most popular weekend destinations for domestic travelers and motorcycle sports enthusiasts. The Department of Tourism launched its “motourismo” campaign on Friday (Nov. 27, 2020), tapping motorcycle riders as domestic tourism ambassadors to promote “safe, fun, and practical” travel as several destinations reopen in the country. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT), together with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), will be tapping motorcycle riders as domestic tourism ambassadors to show a “safe, fun, and practical” travel experience as several destinations reopen in the Philippines.

The “motourismo” campaign, launched on Friday, seeks to revitalize the travel experience under the new normal and allow tourists to rediscover the country’s sights on two wheels.

“By initiating this safe yet very thrilling and worthwhile campaign to promote motorcycle tourism through TPB, we want to restore the confidence of the public to travel domestically and help the tourism industry to bounce back from the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Puyat expressed optimism that motorcycle riders would be able to promote the Philippines as a country of “fun and diverse experience”, as well as highlight motorcycles as a secure and viable transportation mode to explore tourist attractions with minimum health and safety protocols in place.

The campaign will also create opportunities for tour operators to initiate new tour programs, help those who have lost their jobs jumpstart small businesses, and generally serve as a platform to disseminate information on safe travels.

The TPB, meanwhile, said “motourismo” is a pragmatic and sustainable way of promoting the country’s untapped tourism destinations.

“It will also showcase (the) interesting culture and heritage sites, shops, restaurants, and other tourism products all over the country that Filipinos can discover,” it said.

Thoroughly planned during the past few months, “motourismo” has come to fruition with TPB’s collaboration with DOT, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), RidePH, and numerous motorcycle rider clubs and associations in the Philippines.

‘Safe trip’

The DOT on Friday also launched the “Have a Safe Trip, Pinas” video to promote safe travel and support tourism workers.

Following the “Noypi” tribute to medical front-liners, the new video brings travelers back to familiar, yet slightly different territory: tourism in the new normal.

Scenes from a typical out-of-town trip – partaking in tourism activities, lounging by scenic spots, al fresco dining in the moonlight – are interjected with images that people have grown accustomed to only this year, such as face masks and shields, gloved hospitality staff, and the constant reminders to keep physical distancing.

Singer Armi Millare’s rendition of “You”, a song popularized by Basil Valdez 40 years ago, accompanies the narrative of a young man and woman seemingly meeting for the first time as they arrive on an island.

“More than a campaign to remind tourists to adhere to new normal guidelines, ‘Have a Safe Trip, Pinas’ shows that we can still experience the magic when traveling amid the pandemic,” the DOT said.

The video, it said, also highlights the community benefits of tourism – that behind the happy memories that visitors make and the souvenirs they take home are the hardworking people who make everything happen.

The final scenes show real people from Boracay whose jobs and livelihoods were restored when travel commenced.

“They truly are pleased to welcome you back, because no mask can hide a smile from the heart,” the DOT added.

Tourists may visit philippines.travel/safetrip for information on reopened destinations and their respective health and safety protocols or download the DOT’s official app at app.philippines.travel.