DOT, Grab ink deal to promote PH tourism

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Grab Philippines have inked a partnership to promote national tourism, which includes steps to make Intramuros more accessible to tourists.

Tourism materials produced by the DOT to showcase the Philippines’ wonders will be promoted through Grab’s operators and mobile application, as stated in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Wednesday.

DOT, Grab and the Intramuros Administration (IA) also launched the GrabWheels — e-scooters that will be available for tourists to use to roam around the Walled City. The e-scooters will be available free of charge for three months.

“First, Grab will help promote in disseminating materials produced and developed by the DOT. Second, Grab will give 30 units of GrabWheels scooters and this will be available to the public,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, speaking partly in Filipino, said during the MOU signing.

“Through these initiatives, we can ensure we can enhance our visitors’ experience here in Intramuros. Sustainable tourism advocacy and accessibility in one program and partnership,” Puyat added.

Grab Philippines President Brian Cu, on the other hand, said company officials believed that their responsibility should go beyond “providing transport and services.”

Emphasizing Grab’s presence in Southeast Asia, Cu said this partnership would take the promotion of the country’s top tourist spots a step further.

“Grab is present across eight different countries in Southeast Asia and downloaded in more than 150 million smartphones,” Cu said.

“We want to see how we will use this as a platform to educate our fellow Southeast Asian about the beauty and the wonders of the Philippines,” he added.

/atm