DOT rolls out free swab tests for some local tourists
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism on Monday announced that it will start subsidizing free RT-PCR tests for local travelers.
Under a new phase of the DOT's financial subsidy program under the Tourism Promotions Board, a total of 350 applicants will be granted free RT-PCR tests at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center starting November 1.
The subsidy is intended to boost the DOT's domestic tourism program, the agency said in a statement.
“As travel restrictions continue to ease up, we aim to encourage more tourists to visit their destination of choice by providing a full subsidy on RT-PCR testing," Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said. "This program helps ensure the safety of tourists, tourism workers, and local stakeholders in various destinations."
DOT said those who wish to avail of free testing at PCMC may visit this link to view application procedures and requirements: https://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/.
Puyat in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo earlier this day said the department was looking to partner with other public hospitals in order to subsidize more tests for tourists.
The agency's partnership with PCMC was first rolled out in December 2020, covering 50% of the hospital’s swab testing cost. More than 15,000 tourists availed themselves of the subsidy program from January, DOT said.
The second phase of the program was rolled out on June 23, covering July to December of this year. This is now amended to cover the full P1,500 cost of RT-PCR tests with a cap of 350 approved applicants per day.
DOT said this is equivalent to some 12,000 qualified domestic tourists who will benefit from the program until yearend. — Bella Perez-Rubio with a report from Rosette Adel
Find the latest travel and tourism news from around the world amid the coronavirus pandemic. Main image by AFP/Romeo Gacad
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The sector will also be back in the green, with net profits forecast to reach $9.8 billion in 2023, or double previous estimates, boosted by the end of China's Covid restrictions, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The association added that its 2022 losses were half as bad as previously estimated at $3.6 billion.
"Airline financial performance in 2023 is beating expectations," IATA director general Willie Walsh said in a statement during the association's annual general meeting in Istanbul.
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The airline operated at one-third of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity in December but expects to reach 70% of that figure by the end of 2023, the company says. — AFP
German airline giant Lufthansa says Friday it returned to annual profit in 2022 after two years of losses, its fortunes lifted by rebounding demand as economies reopened after COVID-19 shutdowns.
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People hoping to take advantage of a Hong Kong scheme to give away half a million free airline tickets face hours-long online queues on Wednesday, as the Asian financial hub bids to woo tourists back.
The city last month launched a campaign to reboot its reputation as "Asia's world city", after years of strict pandemic-related travel restrictions and a crackdown on sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.
On Wednesday, Hong Kong became one of the last places in the world to drop its outdoor mask mandate, which city leader John Lee said was a sign that it was "resuming normalcy". — AFP
Australian airline Qantas says Thursday it bounced back into profit in late 2022, hailing a "huge turnaround" after swallowing massive losses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The national carrier posted a second-half profit of Aus$1.43 billion (US$974 million) before tax, after accumulating Aus$7 billion in losses across the previous three years.
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