THE Department of Tourism (DoT) called for more transparency and accountability in the release of destination safety ratings, after HelloSafe apologized and suspended its Safety Index, which had posted a negative rating for the Philippines.
鈥淭he DoT welcomed the retraction but emphasized the need for greater responsibility in the release of global reports,鈥 it said in a statement on Thursday.
HelloSafe apologized on July 15, expressing 鈥渟incere regrets for the misunderstanding and negative perception that may have resulted from this publication,鈥 the DoT said.
HelloSafe, which listed the Philippines as among the least safe countries for travelers, bases its ratings on the cost to insure travelers for any given destination.
The organization suspended its index 鈥減ending a full audit of the methodology and criteria used in its creation.鈥
The DoT cited 鈥渢he need for greater responsibility in the release of global reports.鈥
Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco sought 鈥渞edress on the false and misleading article鈥 as it caused 鈥渦nwarranted alarm and inflicted damage鈥 to the country鈥檚 reputation.
鈥淎s the DoT moves forward with implementing the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023鈥2028 鈥 we expect the Philippines to be represented fairly, truthfully, and with the dignity that our people, destinations, and tourism workers rightfully deserve,鈥 she said.
鈥淭he DoT takes note of and appreciates the apology and rectification by HelloSafe. However, it reminds content publishers and data aggregators to exercise greater circumspection and responsibility when releasing studies that may influence public perception,鈥 she added.
She said that the impact of the rating 鈥渃ontinues to be felt鈥 as earlier versions of the safety index remain accessible across international media platforms. 鈥 Justine Irish D. Tabile
