IN-PERSON: Prague – Section B

Abstract

Tourism remains one of the highest rewarding sectors. In 2019, world tourism enjoyed a high of 10.4 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). (wttc.org, 2020). In the Philippines, tourism contributed 12.7 percent or P2.48T to the country’s GDP. In terms of employment, it represented at 5.71 million jobs. (PSA,2020) Since the Second World War (WWII), no global event coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has caused significant health complications and economic losses. The COVID-19 is an evolved type of airborne, Severe Acute Respiratory System (SARS) which has resulted to limited access to basic services, social interaction and even leisure. (Mustafa, 2020) The impact of Covid-19 is considered unimaginable and widespread. During the national COVID-19 lockdown, the Philippines’ low foreign tourists of 1.3 million meant a loss of P400 B in revenue. This was significant loss to WWII shrines like the Mount Samat Shrine of Valor. Also known as the Dambana ng Kagitingan, this National Shrine dedicated to the heroism and sacrifice of Filipinos who fought and died for freedom against the invading Japanese forces during WWII. Since the pandemic, operations of the Shrine were limited to a maximum of 200 visitors. (DND-PVAO, 2021) The paper attempts to determine the factors and features which should be considered in developing an online platform for tourists. Initial results have revealed that heritage sites the Mount Samat Shrine can be promoted in a virtual platform through gaming features. These include online chatting, online shopping, and changing of the surrounding environment. These findings are also expected to contribute to the New Normal protocols, which should consider limited physical interaction, practice of social distancing and hybrid of physical and virtual coordination.