Mandarin-speaking call center agents now available for tourists – DOT

The DOT said the Tourist Assistance Call Center, with hotline 151-TOUR or 151-8687, would remain “active and live” during the Holy Week break. (Pexels Photo)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Mandarin-speaking agents are now available to cater to Chinese tourists when they call the government-funded Tourist Assistance Call Center, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Tuesday.

The language is an addition to the English-, Filipino-  and Korean-speaking call center agents since the creation of the call center in October 2023.

The DOT said the Tourist Assistance Call Center, with hotline 151-TOUR or 151-8687, would remain “active and live” during the Holy Week break.

“With a total of four languages already available, the Department of Tourism’s Tourist Assistance Call Center aims to fulfill a key objective of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023 to 2028, which is to enhance the overall tourist experience in the Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.

“Our call center is also dedicated to deliver accessible, efficient, and world-class service to all tourists, both domestic and international, aligned with the goal of a digitally empowered government envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”

More than 30 million combined local and international travelers are anticipated to visit various destinations across the Philippines as the country observes Lent this week.

The DOT said Mandarin-speaking tourists can talk directly to dedicated Tourist Assistance Call Center agents who speak Mandarin, available Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time).

They can also reach out to the DOT for their inquiries on travel to the Philippines through mobile at +63 954-253-3215, via email at touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph, through Facebook Messenger at Department of Tourism – Philippines, and via the Click2Call and Live Webchat services available on beta.tourism.gov.ph.

Information on DOT-accredited establishments and other travel and tourism advisories, as well as real-time assistance in case of emergency and referral to concerned government agencies, are available at the Tourist Assistance Call Center.

Since its establishment in 2023, the call center has already received an estimated 14,000 calls from 72 countries.

The Tourist Assistance Call Center was recognized as Best in Service – Customer Support (Regional Level) award at the prestigious Asia Best of Best Awards 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Based on the DOT’s latest data, China ranks as its sixth top source market for inbound travelers with 72,665 in the first three months of this year.