DOT 'Motourismo' caravan hopes to spur tourism via tours on two wheels

MANILA: Motorcycle aficionados and local travelers can now journey around Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT) officially presented its “Motourismo” a "motorcycle tourism caravan" aimed at revisiting favorite tourist spots in the country using motorcycles.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said, “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.”

Secretary Romulo-Puyat added that the program targets motorcycle riders as potential ambassadors of local tourism, stressing that they are eligible to promote the country for its diversity and rich heritage.

Motourismo is also geared toward showcasing motorcycles as a sustainable and secure mode of transport to visit tourist spots, in compliance with safety and health measures.

This effort would also open new opportunities for tour operators to establish new tour packages that will be available to both international and local tourists — encouraging those who have been unemployed to kickstart small businesses, and significantly serve as a platform in sharing information on health and safety guidelines when people are outside.

“Motourismo” is a sustainable and proactive approach to promoting the undiscovered tourist sites of the country. It will also highlight the fascinating heritage and cultural sites, restaurants, shops, and other tourism products nationwide that Filipinos can explore.

“Motourismo,” as it is meticulously planned during the past months, has reached completion through the partnership of TPB with DOT, RidePH, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and several motorcycle rider associations and clubs in the country.

Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (above)  joined TPB Chief Operations Officer (COO) Atty. Anthonette Allones (below) and DOT Secretary Romulo-Puyat, along with numerous motorcycle aficionados, influencers, bloggers, and the media during the online launch.

Paolo Abrera (below), a lifestyle columnist and television host, was also one of the hosts of the virtual launch of the "Motourismo" campaign.

This government campaign hopes to imbue a renewed sense of hope in Filipinos despite obstacles. Moreover, the beauty of the country's tourist attractions will be highlighted anew.

TPB is an agency connected with the DOT and it is established to promote and market the country globally and locally as a chosen tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) spot that takes pride in fun travel as well as diversity.

For solo or group motorcycle riders who would like to participate in organized rides to the various locations in the country, they can simply download the Travel Philippines app for more details and updates or send an email to motourismo2020@gmail.com to help them plan ahead for their rides.

Screengrabs by Prim Lamaroza

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