Dinagat Islands tourism office reminds public to be cautious with online travel bookings
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Don’t get scammed. Verify before you book online.
This is an online advisory issued by the provincial government of Dinagat Islands through its Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office (PTCO) on April 1 as a prompt reminder to domestic and foreign tourists wishing to visit the province this Holy Week.
Dinagat Islands Provincial Tourism and Cultural Officer Benlen D. Navas said, “Smart travel starts with secure choices and verified local partners.”
He underscored the importance of having travel plans and ensuring a smooth visit to the beautiful province of Dinagat Islands by checking the authenticity of the travel agency before finalizing any bookings and doing financial transactions online.
He also reminded the public to only transact with travel agencies accredited by the province and the Department of Tourism.
“Be cautious of suspicious accounts or pages requesting upfront payments without proper documentation or verification,” he added. “For assistance and verification, he encouraged the public to message the Facebook page of Dinagat Islands –Tourism and Culture Office, email at ptco.dinagatislands@gmail.com, or call at 0936-367-3538.”
Meanwhile, with influx of tourists expected to arrive in the province in observance of the Holy Week, the PTCO, in partnership with the Dinagat Islands Police Provincial Office, Philippine Coast Guard – Dinagat Islands station and the local government of San Jose, has conducted the monitoring of key tourist destinations and real-time data collection for tourism statistics at the Don Ruben Port island hopping gateway beginning March 28.
Accordingly, these operational efforts will remain in full swing throughout the Holy Week to ensure consistent service delivery and visitor safety during peak travel days. This also reinforces the provincial government’s commitment to optimizing service standards, while positioning Dinagat Islands as a safe, sustainable, and visitor-centric destination. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from Dinagat Islands PTCO)