Some travelers ‘power tripping’ to get into tourist destinations — Puyat

WORRY-FREE Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, never fails to draw tourists even in the middle of a health crisis. Local officials assure visitors that health and security protocols are followed in resorts,
hotels and restaurants so they can enjoy a worry-free break on the resort island. —JACK JARILLA

MANILA, Philippines — Some travelers are “power tripping” just to get into tourist destinations in the country, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

In an interview with INQUIRER.net’s INQside Look, Puyat said that some local government units (LGUs) have shared stories about tourists yelling at workers assigned to ensure that travelers entering their area are compliant with requirements when their travel is challenged.

“Ang sinabi rin namin sa LGU, kung may doubt kayo sa veracity ng RT-PCR nila, wag ninyo papasukin. Kasi sabi nila minsan daw e sinisigawan sila, etcetera, yung typical nagpo-powertrip,” Puyat said.

(We also advised the LGUs, if they had any doubt about the veracity of the RT-PCR tests of the tourists, then they should not admit them. But some say travelers yell at them – the typical power tripping.)

“Sabi namin, wag kayong pumayag kasi kapag nakapasok na yan, mas mahirap hanapin at baka naging superspreader pa,” she added.

(We told them to deny their entry because if they did, it would be difficult to track them down. They can be super spreaders.)

To recall, the Department of Tourism (DOT) filed a complaint against six tourists from Manila in January for forging their COVID-19 swab test results in order to reach Boracay Island.

Puyat emphasized the importance of travelers being accountable not only to themselves but also to the communities they visit.

“Napaka-iresponsable talaga. Alam naman nilang positive sila. When you talk about COVID, your responsibility is not only yourself but for others na alam naman nilang positive sila, pumunta pa rin sila?” Puyat said.

(It’s so irresponsible. They know they are positive. When you talk about COVID, your responsibility is not only yourself but for others.)

“COVID now is a responsibility not only for yourself but you have to think of the community and especially these tourist destinations na ngayon pa lang bumabangon, tapos kapabayaan [that are only recovering now, yet you will be careless]?” she added.

/MUF and abc

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