Former Sen. JV Ejercito, DOT Asec Woodrow Maquiling, Jr., Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones and DOT Regional Director CALABARZON Maritess Castro lead the kick off of Philippine Motorcycle Tourism (PMT) Ride and Tours 2021 in Rizal Park where over 250 motorcycle enthusiasts took the lead in promoting Philippine tourist spots and helping local businesses and tour operators recover from the pandemic’s effects on their livelihood. Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, the Department of Transportation, and local governments, the two-day ride covers the Taal Lake Loop (Cavite-Laguna) and the Laguna Lake Loop (Rizal-Laguna-Quezon), with sightseeing and stopovers along the way.Photo by JON-JON REYES
DOT, TPB promote PH spots via motorbike tourism program
ABOUT 250 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered in Rizal Park, Manila on Saturday, November 20, to kick-off a two-day ride covering two loops of Region CALABARZON’s tourist spots and pit stops.
The kick-off ride is one of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines’ initiatives to bring back the confidence of the public to travel within the country while exercising “new normal” guidelines and safety protocols on the road in line with its Philippine Motorcycle Tourism (PMT) Program.
The Taal Lake Loop (Cavite-Batangas) will include stops in Maragondon (Habi of Maragondon, Simbahan ng Maragondon, Caingin River), Tagaytay, Taal (Basilica San Martin De Tours, Marcella Agoncillo Historical Landmark, Apacible Historical Landmark), San Juan (Laiya), Lipa (Mary Mediatrix of All Grace Church), Mataasnakahoy (My Honey’s Farm), Sto. Tomas (National Shrine of Padre Pio), and Sta. Rosa (Nuvali Park).
The Laguna Lake Loop (Rizal-Laguna-Quezon) will cover Antipolo (Antipolo Cathedral, Hinulugang Taktak) Tanay (Daranak Falls), Pililia (Pililia Windmills, Pakil (St. Peter of Alcantara Parish Church), Paete, Luisiana (pandan weaving), Lucban (Kamay ni Hesus), San Juan (Laiya), Dolores (Bangkong Kahoy Valley), San Pablo City (Sulyap Gallery Cafe), and Sta. Rosa Nuvali Park.
“We continue to push the limits to create new ways to enjoy safe travel amid our present situation because we know that travelling and adventure give us purpose and new perspectives. This time, we are exploring the country on two wheels and presenting an alternative way of travelling to entice the public to discover more of the Philippines’ interesting culture, sites, cuisines and other tourism products,” said TPB COO Maria Anthonette Velasco- Allones.
In preparation for the kick-off ride, a hybrid webinar was held onsite at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and virtually through an online platform last Friday, November 19.
The webinar aimed to equip participating motorcycle riders and other enthusiasts with knowledge on safe riding, off-road driving techniques and skills, and adventure tourism through the expertise of invited speakers, Rod
