[CC may contain inaccuracies] I guess we start off with just given that the borders are so close. What's the update on domestic travel and to what extent
are you seeing. I think volumes recovered back to to pre pandemic levels. If they are at all
generally the Philippines is more reliant on domestic tourism. The contribution of the tourism through the whole GDP before the
pandemic was at twelve point eight percent domestic. That is in was standpoint 8 percent now because the things have been going
down and vaccination rate has been high. Specifically in the NC are the vaccination rate fully vaccinated. That's already been
at 8 percent and most of the travelers are coming from NCR. So we are now under an alert level which is one of the one of the
lowest cases have been going down and people have been traveling from Metro Manila to the different tourist destinations. And as
you mentioned we've been vaccinating. We have a vaccination program in our different tourism sites mainly Barack I bought
out my lawn. If you count the residents those that have had if you if it's for only tourism workers we've already vaccinated
about 91 the 92 percent and including residents eligible population. We've already vaccinated about 80 percent. But we
expect that in the weeks to be 100 percent. OK. I guess speaking on your earlier point that you started this
by saying a lot of it is domestic driven to what extent can the recovery be hinged simply on domestic travel at this point. Well
as I said it's it's about 84 85 percent of the contribution of tourism all through the country. But it also helps that
my aunt which is our third largest market is allowed in the in the country asked off the be. So no one would be
curious as our number one market. Number two is China number things from the U.S. and bills are mainly by science and they're
allowed as of today. The quantum has been reduced from 10 based to 5 base for the my ends. But we're still looking at maybe
lowering it so that especially for the Christmas sun because that's where the medic by and start coming home. Yes. Right. And
just to clarify of course the term bulk buy in four hour. In an hour. I'm sorry. Yes. Go ahead. Go ahead. These are Philippine
elders. They were previously Filipinos that are now OK. U.S. citizens
are citizens in another country. Yes. Understood. Someone like myself I'm a permanent resident of Hong Kong. And of course I'm
looking forward to my first trip back there in about two years. Can I ask you about the border. Because I'm sure a lot of
tourists are waiting on when they can actually then come back and visit the country. Do you have a working timetable of when
you will reopen the border to foreign tourists. We're hoping as more and more people are vaccinated first. We have to reduce the
quarantine base and Sakhalin. We're hoping that
when the Department of Tourism since last May has already been pushing for green lanes especially forbid you squatting in base
or if if possible milk what a base for fully vaccinated. Of course we already have no quarantining base for those companies
coming from low risk countries. We filed it from the green countries. That's based on the CBC. So we're hoping that we use
the quarantine base but we're always pushing for to reopen. But you know the Philippines is quite unique because
we not only have foreign interests but we also have FWC coming coming home. So hopefully with less Guam and in base we'll be
able to. I've been pushing for fought and fought and thought a speech from green lanes green from green countries to be able to
enter the country's. And you have I know this is a moving target and there are many
moving parts. When do you hope to see that happen in terms of just having a rough timetable.
It's hard to say but hopefully soon. Because right now the vaccination we do we expect by the end of the year we've been
vaccinated. That is 50 percent of our eligible population. Our country is about. Our population is about 100 million. So we we
hope to be able to vaccinate by end of the year 50 percent of the eligible population which also includes ages 12 to 17
because we've already been starting vaccinating kids below 18 year old.
Right. And I'm wondering and I'm going to make up an example see of Hong Kong for example or other places like Singapore where
the the opening of the border was somewhat also contingent on on the vaccination rates in the country is there so is there a
similar relationship. It's very similar looking at yes. As I said this in other countries though we keep pushing for the
reopening of the economy reopening of tourism. It has to be balanced with health and safety. So I'm sure without
compromising the Health and Safety Office if this ends and we have a team of health experts and they always look like oh let's
look at the vaccination rates. But of course it's very it's very positive that the are the national capital region. We've already
vaccinate fully vaccinated 80 percent of our population on the first dose. So 97 percent. So that's a big boost in reducing the
quarantining base and possibly no quarantine even from countries coming from the yellow yellow list.
And just to clarify where is China on that list. Because I imagine that's it being a big previous before and then being a
big source of tourists. Go ahead. Yes. That based on the CDC we base it on the CDC list. China is now in the green among the
leading countries including Hong Kong Indonesia. Those are those that I remember from. But of course this list changes because
it's based on the CDC. Yes. But as I said our number one our number one source is Korea. Number one it's pretty. And number
two is China. Number three is the U.S.. OK. And do you have any. Just general expectation on when overall whether that's Korea
you put everything together when two tourist arrivals might be able to recover to pre pandemic levels. Or is that too
difficult. That's too difficult. Fran Kelly earlier you pandemic. I think I think no country will be able to give you
when it's going to reach three pandemic levels. And we're just so happy that at least the regime is now allowed.
Domestic tourism is now allowed around the country. Vaccination rates are increasing.
We are looking at travel bubbles the same as other countries. But right now the problem is even if there are no guard and base
coming through the Philippines going back there as you know Asia is quite strict when it comes to pardon and.
Like for example Hong Kong coming to the Philippines. No there's no quarantine. But going back there still quarantine. Enough
plenty one does. So we're hoping that as the vaccination rates are increasing cases are going down that the travel bubble it's
not only no quarantine gays coming to the Philippines when they go back to their countries there's also no quarantine. So I am.
Yeah. I think that that's what that's what that's what people are discussing right now. It's really regard with regard to the
pardon being based like that. You're coming from Hong Kong. You can come here. No pardon
me. But when you go back you have 21 days. And that's really what's kept me from going back if I'm being honest. As a final
question since you mentioned travel bubbles are there specific people in places that you're talking to. And I know that's a
moving target too. So it's not really it's not fail I guess. Yes. We've been talking to Korea. Of course there are a number
one tourist. They've been they've been one. They've got chartered flights Korea to blow or two. Right now they're
looking at a chartered flight from Korea but then they're still trying to figure it out. The quarantine these coming back. So
we're still in talks. DAX there's no problem coming here. We could go ready to use the flight and you can actually remove the
quiet. I'm from Korea. But their problem is now going back. But it's like any other
country. It's always a moving target. But we're looking at all the major tourist destinations but it's
really clear yet that has shown interest in traveling through the country.