New Scheme for A/D Cards Will Benefit Tourism
May 31, 2009
The new arrival/departure cards (A/D card) will greatly help in updating a database on incoming and outgoing tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said. Launched recently, the new machine-readable A/D cards would significantly increase the processing for passengers’ travel documents at airports. Under the new scheme, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) would immediately move processed information from the A/D cards to the DOT which in turn will create a travel database, and more efficiently. “Global trends have changed the way people travel. Right now, people are moving at increased speed, and this faster scheme in getting necessary data from tourists is indeed a welcome development,” Tourism Secretary Ace Durano noted. He added, “The new arrival and departure cards contain vital information that will definitely benefit the whole tourism industry, allowing all stakeholders to better respond to traveler’s needs and preferences.” Details such as type of accommodation and exact purpose of travel are in the form. Instead of general categories under holiday, visit, convention, business, and ‘others,’ the updated A/D cards ask specific purposes such as Shopping, Wellness, and Second Home, under ‘Holiday/ Pleasure’. Also, options like Education/ Training, Official Mission, Religion/ Pilgrimage, Health, Transit, and Permanent Resident or Returning Resident are made available on the list, requiring more focused information about the passengers. According to Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr., “Data obtained from these cards will increase the Department’s capacity to respond to tourists’ inclinations. In a constantly changing tourism landscape, travelers now are more into niche activities. This information may be difficult to come by unless we zero-in on their needs and wants.” Jarque added, “It is also an indirect feedback on the current tourism programs we have for the country, gauging how the market is reacting.” Allan Cañizal, Director for Tourism Development Planning, mentioned that travel agencies in the country will also be given access to the information gathered from the A/D cards. “These times call for the most updated information on travelers, allowing all tourism stakeholders to respond well and make informed decisions to sustain their businesses,” Cañizal said. ###
–
Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No. 524-1694
