DOT, tourism leaders slam online report tagging Phl as ‘least safe country’

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday dismissed as false a recent report from an online travel insurance platform that ranked the Philippines as the “least safe country on the planet,” calling the data “questionable” and damaging to the nation’s growing tourism industry.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco criticized the “HelloSafe Safety Index 2025” published by travel insurance company HelloSafe, which claimed the Philippines topped its list of the world’s least safe destinations.

“What was presented as an objective safety index was, in fact, built on questionable data, lacking in transparency, and entirely disconnected from realities on the ground,” Frasco said in a public statement on her Facebook page dated 19 June.

She noted that the platform reused identical safety scores for different countries within a span of six days and failed to disclose its methodology or data sources. Frasco also pointed out that HelloSafe removed the Philippines from the published index without any clarification or accountability.

“The impact of this false narrative is not abstract. It disrupted bookings and businesses. It cast doubt on our destinations. Worse, it harmed the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos who depend on tourism,” she emphasized.

Secretary Frasco demanded that HelloSafe immediately correct any references to the erroneous data and ensure consistency in all related visual and digital materials.

The tourism chief also reaffirmed that the Philippine government remains committed to ensuring the safety of both foreign and local tourists. She emphasized the country’s continued coordination with law enforcement agencies, local governments, and tourism stakeholders to uphold security across key destinations.

“We fully recognize that the Philippines, like any country, has challenges. The fact remains that extensive work is being done daily to address those challenges,” she added.

Tourism leaders rally behind the industry

The Philippine tourism industry quickly rallied behind Frasco, condemning the report as irresponsible and detrimental.

Philippine Hotel Owners Association President Arthur Lopez called the HelloSafe ranking “misleading, unfair, and damaging,” stating it undermines the hospitality sector’s efforts to promote the Philippines as a world-class destination.

Maria Paz Alberto, representing the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA), likewise denounced the index, warning that “misleading narratives can deter prospective visitors and cause lasting repercussions to businesses reliant on inbound tourism.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) President Arjun Shroff echoed the sentiment, affirming that false messaging must be corrected swiftly to protect the country's tourism image.

Industry groups urged all travel-related organizations to engage in responsible reporting and ensure factual, data-based representations of destinations to avoid harming local economies and livelihoods.