A one hundred fifty plus steps to reach the perfect view of the Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan.
INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have signed a deal to improve internet connection in 94 tourist destinations.
According to a statement from the DOT, the memorandum was formally signed on Tuesday. It was attended by the Tourism and Technology chiefs Christina Garcia Frasco and Ivan John Uy, respectively.
“The [DOT] on Tuesday has formally signed a partnership with the [DICT] in a bid to introduce and further improve internet connectivity in 94 identified tourist destinations across the country and digitalize tourism services nationwide,” said the agency.
The planned collaboration with the DICT was previously mentioned in the Philippine Economic Briefing in September.
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Frasco said that among the 94 destinations, the DOT would prioritize lesser-known destinations over popular sites like Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, and Siargao.
“From the DICT perspective, we want to help all of the departments, all of the departments to be utilized, get the services out in a more effective, more efficient, less redundant manner,” Uy said.
According to Frasco, this deal is part of the agency’s effort to boost tourism to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product in the following years.
“Truly, there is no innovative tourism program that does not involve internet communications technology, and that is why this convergence expands through many aspects of tourism development,” said the Tourism chief.