DOT to public: Visit Philippines attractions on long weekends

MANILA, Philippines — With holidays and long weekends in 2024 already announced, the Department of Tourism (DOT) called on the public to vacation in the country’s tourist attractions and plan their visits.

Malacañang recently announced the following holidays that would make up long weekends due to closeness to Saturday and Sunday: Maundy Thursday, March 28 and Good Friday, March 29; National Heroes’ Day on Monday, Aug. 26; All Saints’ Day on Friday, Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Saturday, Nov. 2; Rizal Day on Monday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 31, Last Day of the Year.

In total, the country will enjoy four long weekends this year.

“In these upcoming extended weekends, I strongly encourage fellow Filipinos to seize the opportunity and embark on journeys that will create lasting memories with family and friends,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said in a statement.

Frasco also called on local travelers to visit “lesser-known spots” which “hold captivating stories catering to every traveler’s taste, resonating with our tourism campaign, ‘Love The Philippines.’”

The new tourism campaign launched in mid-2023 aimed to promote the Philippines as an attraction for tourists who want to explore not only tourist destinations, but also the local culture and traditions.

Frasco noted that the DOT observed the so-called “revenge travel” in the country as travel and other restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted, with over 5.45 million foreign tourists visiting the country in last year.