WITH more Dabawenyos, including tourism workers, fully vaccinated, an official from the Davao Tourism Association (Data) is hoping that the tourism industry will gradually reopen before the end of 2021.
Data President Gatchi Gatchalian told SunStar Davao that they are supporting the City's campaign to reach its target to vaccinate 1.2 million individuals before the year ends to achieve herd immunity.
"The tourism industry is the most hit industry so we needed to do this. We wanted to make sure na ating (that our) tourism workforce will be protected because if they are already protected, we will be able to reopen the tourism industry in the region,” Gatchalian said in a phone interview.
He added that they are hoping that the government can slowly allow more diners in restaurants, and open the city to more tourists as there is a need to open the economy.
Gatchalian admitted the prolonged restrictions of the pandemic are affecting the business sector.
While the city is still at high risk, he said achieving herd immunity could help boost confidence among tourists.
"Magkakaroon ng (There will be) certain confidence ‘yung ating mga (among our) guests and customers to really visit our establishments. It's very important na bakunado na 'yung taga tourism establishments (that our tourism establishment workers are fully vaccinated),” he said.
However, he said this will be achievable if the entire region will be declared under modified general community quarantine, the lowest quarantine status imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
Gatchalian admitted there was vaccine hesitation among some tourism workers, but they were enticed later on to get vaccinated after getting positive feedback from their co-workers.
Despite being fully vaccinated, he encouraged them to continuously abide by the minimum health protocols, especially with the recently detected Delta variant.
Data recently capped off the "Bakuna by the Sea" vaccination rollout for workers in the tourism sector, vaccinating a total of 14,000 economic frontliners in tourism and its allied services.
The vaccination happened from June 30 to August 26 at the Garden Pavilion of the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.
Gatchalian said the City is targeting to vaccinate 11,000 workers in the economic frontliners from other sectors starting September 2.
He added that while Data's commitment was already finished, they are still willing to help in campaigning for others to get vaccinated.