PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently organized a webinar, in partnership with Grassroots Travel, on cultivating resilience among local tourism destinations in celebration of World Tourism Day. Among the participants were various tourism offices of local government units (LGUs) and communities across the country.

“We at PLDT and Smart continue to advocate for a smarter and more resilient Philippines, as we highlight the value of the tourism industry to our growth as a country. Coming together to learn about what we can do best for our country’s tourism sector and how we can possibly address these risks is imperative,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

Supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Center for Culture and the Arts, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Tourism Destination Resilience webinar by PLDT and Smart was joined by representatives from Leyte, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro, who shared their best practices on how to respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies such as the pandemic and ongoing climate change.  

“The pandemic has presented opportunities for us to rethink and recalibrate our plans in rebuilding a sustainable and resilient tourism industry. Establishing a resilient tourism sector equips the country to survive and thrive despite whatever challenges and adversities that may come our way”, said Kristine Vanessa T. Chiong-Genegobis, DOT Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns, during the virtual event.  

Insights gathered during the webinar aim to help educate tourism stakeholders and local communities on the critical role of Tourism Destination Resilience in enabling destinations to resist, adapt and self-organize against potential disturbances.  

“We acknowledge the contribution of digital technology to helping realize our goal of a smarter and more resilient Philippines, including tourism destinations. We at PLDT and Smart remain fully committed to continuing our partnerships with the government, private sector, and local communities across the country, to help restart and rebuild the tourism sector,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.

PLDT and Smart underscore the key role of sustainability in their business objectives, as they strive to create positive environmental, social, and economic impact through initiatives like the Tourism Destination Resilience Webinar. This is also aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.