THE Internet is considered as one of the huge contributing factors in the progress of the tourism sector in the country, a government official said.

Department of Tourism (DOT) undersecretary Art Boncato said with the onset of the digital age, the tourism department is ready in riding with the tide to promote the Philippine’s top tourist destinations.

He also added the access of the internet should be geared in taking advantage for the tourism sector in the country to grow bigger.

“This year we focus on innovation and transformation. The United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as well as the DOT sees the importance of technology to advance our promotion of sustainable tourism development, and capitalize on the emerging trends in our industry,” Boncato said during the Tourism and the Based from DOT’s data.

Boncato said that closely 106 million Filipinos have access with the social media platform and can easily see latest updates just in the reach of their hands.

“In the present time, everybody gets a chance to know the latest trends of the tourist destination even without turning on their television, as long as you have your cellphone,” Boncato said.

Travel blogger Olan Fernandez Emboscado said that they must also be responsible promotion in the place in order not to harm the site. He also said sometimes the social media platform can both bring both success and possible threats.

“We must also be sensitive whether what we do would contribute a bad consequence to the place,” he said.

DOT data shows that visitor receipts in 2017 amounted to $6.8 billion, contributing a huge part in the country’s economic activity.