Signing Off

As she passes on the torch to her successor, Philippines’ Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat shares her wins and losses in steering an industry that was gravely impacted by the global health crisis

- Berna Romulo-Puyat

There are some travel memories you’ll never forget—the first time you climbed a mountain, that wild reunion with your high school best friends, or maybe the experience of swimming with whale sharks. The business of tourism is about making these memories possible, so that travellers will come back for more. As Secretary of the Department of Tourism, I’ve had many memorable moments of travelling over the four years of my term, but they’re not exactly what you’d think they are.

After months of being trapped inside their homes during ECQ in 2020, Filipinos were finally allowed to move around—but not to travel. Local borders were still shut, temporarily closing tourism establishments until the situation improved.

Reopening a destination was not as simple as turning back on the lights. The LGU had to support the decision: the hotel and accommodation sector needed to be accredited, and the stakeholders had to be prepared. During this time, I travelled to many destinations, from Baguio to Boracay, attending consultation meetings and assessing their readiness to welcome outsiders.

I also travelled around the country to distribute financial assistance granted through the Bayanihan Act and met with the many MSMEs whose employees were displaced or otherwise struggling to earn an income. Market vendors, masseurs, event organisers, surf instructors, fabric weavers, tour guides, boat operators— these were just some of the people whose livelihoods had been severely impacted by the cease in tourism. In normal times, they would be the ones who would make a traveller’s life easier. They would make your trip happen. They would provide service with a smile. They would also make everything more fun.