To provide assistance to tourists experiencing hassles while staying in the country, the Department of Tourism on Monday launched its first-ever centralized and multi-platform Tourist Assistance Call Center in Makati City.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco herself made the first call to ensure that the project is up and running to provide help to foreign and local tourists.

According to Frasco, the project is also in line with the Marcos administration's thrust to revitalize the tourism industry as an engine for economic growth and fulfill one of the objectives of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023 to 2028 to enhance the overall tourist experience in the Philippines.

She said the Tourist Assistance Call Center shall serve as the hotline and one-stop shop for local and foreign tourists, made available to provide tourism- and travel-related information and extend assistance if any to untoward incidents that may occur during the tourist visit.

"This is a first for the Department of Tourism where we have consolidated the modes of assistance that can be given to tourists from the national government agencies and regional offices that will then coordinate with our local government units," Frasco said.

One of the strategic approaches of the National Tourism Development Plan approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on the aspect of convenience. The convenience of travelers must be the central focus of our efforts and programs," she added, noting that the goal is not just to lure more tourists but to also gain repeat customers.

At the said launch, Secretary Frasco emphasized the importance of the project, as the first professional nationwide online and telecommunication assistance center established by the DOT.

It can be recalled that many tourists, especially from other countries, are experiencing several misfortunes and exploitation by some Filipinos taking advantage of their stay here, such as overpriced transportation fares and food prices and even theft incidents that are usually posted online, smearing the reputation of the country as a premiere tourist destination in Southeast Asia.