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DOT Launches 1st HOHO Travel Tour PH

The Department of Tourism-National Capital Region made history as it officially launched the Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) Travel by Hub Program held at Glorietta 2, Makati City on May 28. The HOHo is a tour program using state of the art bus transport and a digital application where tourists can enjoy the Cities of Manila and Makati through specially-crafted tours using the hop on hop off system and a contactless payment card. The project takes inspiration from world-class hop-on hop-off buses in cities such as Abu Dhabi, Argentina, London, Madrid, New York, Singapore, among others, will feature a dedicated website with all essential information, a reloadable EMV-capable card, and to complete the tourist experience, a mobile app for booking tours, making cashless payments, GPS networked-bus arrival monitoring and video guides, as well as information on hotels, food, and tourism merchants. It is expected to go full blast by mid-year of 2023.
DOT Sec. Christina Garcia-Frasco led the launch with a kick-off tour of Makati together with the city officials led by 1st district Representative Romulo Peña Jr., 2nd district Representative Luis Campos, and Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Head of International Relations Ms. Ichi Yabut, as well as DOT officials Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, OIC-Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno, and DOT-NCR Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin.
"...the Hop-On Hop-Off tours gives opportunities for our tourists not only to be reminded of the spirit of modernity and innovation that Makati has always been known for, but also to get to know the soul of your city that lies in your hidden gems, in your museums, in the many stops that are covered by this tour that will allow our tourists–domestic and international alike– to get to know the people of Makati, to get to know your rich history, culture, and heritage,“ Frasco said in her speech. "This is an effort that we wish to replicate in all the other areas in Metro Manila [and the Philippines] and this is just the beginning," she added.
Meanwhile, Rep. Peña referred to the project as "a terrific way to experience what NCR has to offer at your own leisure." "Makati, the business hub, is proud to be included in the initial launch of this project. We are happy, actually very happy, to invite and welcome you all to visit and enjoy Makati, the premier city," enthused the Congressman.
"I am particularly happy that the Secretary, the DOT, has chosen our city to be the take off point for the Hop-On Hop-Off project," said Rep. Campos. "We see this as an opportunity to open our cultural treasures not only to our local citizens, Makatizens, but also to the rest of the country and to the rest of the world," he added. Also in attendance were leaders of tourism stakeholder associations, Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) President Bob Zozobrado, Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) President Fe Abling-Yu, Ayala Malls Head of Marketing and Communications Chrissy Roa, and Marinel Barquin Lee of Positive Exposure, the integrator for the Philippines HOHO bus project.
The curated tour took the guests to the Washington Sycip Park for interactive demo by artists and health drinks, followed by a quick stop in Ayala Malls Circuit for Filipino snacks, Museo ng Makati for coffee culture presentation, museum tour, and entertainment by Makati performers. The tour ended in Poblacion for a street party featuring performances by local artists and culinary treats from Makati's top-rated restaurants and bars. Meanwhile, preparations are already underway for the launch of the Philippines HOHO project in the cultural hub of Manila next. Both the Makati and Manila Hubs of the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off program will become fully operational after the grand launch slated some time in June this year.
Upon full implementation of the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off in Makati, tourists can take the bus in designated stops within the city to enjoy its best spots and activities following suggested itineraries curated by the DOT-NCR team per stop, with the option to avail of private and guided tours. The HOHO tour will cost about Php 1,000 per person. #PHExperienceMakati #DOTNCR #hoponhopoff #HOHOPh #DepartementofTourism

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