Leading mobile wallet pushing for cashless digital tourism
In a concerted effort to promote rural development through digitalization, GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, partnered with the Provincial Government of Bohol to launch their collaborative campaign, “Continue Tourism,” in order to restore the tourism industry in the province.
“Sulong Turismo” seeks to strengthen the tourism sector by integrating digital payment solutions into local tourism campaigns. Popular tourist destinations under various local government units (LGUs) will be empowered to accept convenient cashless payments for travel bookings, accommodations, and more. By using these digital tools and demonstrating their benefits, the campaign aims to improve customer satisfaction, drive repeat visits, and revitalize the overall tourist experience.
GCash Chief Marketing Officer, Neil Trinity, expressed their pride to be part of the “Sulong Turismo” initiative. Financial inclusion and economic growth have always been important goals of GCash, and they believe that public and private sector partnerships will provide opportunities for safer, more secure, convenient, and profitable payment solutions that will improve the country’s tourism industry.
The campaign was officially inaugurated through a dynamic seminar and dialogue, where the advantages of a digitalized tourism industry were discussed, with a particular focus on LGUs with prominent tourist destinations.
the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled plans for infrastructure development, a dedicated tourism website, and a cutting-edge tourism app during the event. These initiatives aim to encourage tourism-related businesses to adopt digital payments, promoting the growth and prosperity of the sector.
Secretary of tourism Christina Garcia-Frasco praised GCash’s efforts to promote a digital ecosystem to support local tourism through a video message during the event. Among the distinguished guests of the event Governor of Bohol Hon. Erico Aristotle C. Augmented, DOT Chief Tourism Officer Region 7 AS Gelena Asis-Dimpas, BSP Regional Head of Economic Affairs Greg Baccay, Chief of the Philippine Information Agency King Anthony Chiu, Vice Mayor of Panglao City Noel Hormachuelos, Tag the City Mayor Jane Yap, and GCash Chief Marketing Officer, Neil Trinity.
The concept of a tourism circuit is also presented during the event, which consists of a strategic route or itinerary that connects several tourist attractions within a specific region. This structured approach highlights the region’s diverse offerings and entices tourists to spend more time discovering unique destinations.
Governor Hon. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado emphasized the active participation of local businesses, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), market vendors, and transport groups, which shows strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in pushing the tourism industry in the region.
By emphasizing the value of digital solutions to display tourism sites, “Sulong Turismo” aims to streamline operations, improve accessibility, and ensure sustainability, providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for tourists and businesses. This strategic campaign is set to propel Bohol’s tourism industry to new heights, creating a dynamic and prosperous tourism scene in the province.
