THE Department of Tourism (DOT) launched a digital travel magazine called “7641” as part of its efforts to promote the various destinations in the country and fast-track tourism recovery now that the country’s borders have been opened up to more international travelers.
The digital publication, officially called “7641 Islands of the Philippines,” hopes to provide readers with enough travel inspiration and information.
7641, which is part of DOT’s philippines.travel website, supplies travel information through feature articles that provide detailed itineraries, suggested activities with accompanying reminders for a safe adventure, and interesting stories for each place.
“In 7641, we go in-depth into the stories of a destination, a cultural tradition, a dish, a personal affiliation to a place, while also providing the basic information you need as a traveler,” said DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.
The magazine will also feature more of the lesser-known but equally stunning destinations among the country’s popular tourist sites, such as Marinduque’s white-sand beaches, the healing island of Siquijor, the caves and paragliding sites of Nueva Vizcaya, the pink sand beaches of Zamboanga City, among others.
“We want to promote all tourist destinations in the archipelago that have already reopened to visitors. Each month, we will highlight different places so that the public can discover the marvelous sites that our 7,641 islands can offer,” said Puyat.
The DOT invited feature and non-fiction writers, some of whom traveled to the destinations themselves, for more immersive writing. The DOT also collaborated with regional creatives, including SinoPinas and Playground Films of Zamboanga City, to document the sites and motivate people to travel through images and videos.
Also featured are collaborations with writers like multi-awarded poet and novelist Edgar Calabia Samar, author of Janus Silang; Palanca awardee Joyce Roque; and MJ Tumamac, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino’s 2019 Poet of the Year.
The microsite’s name was inspired by the number of islands in the Philippines. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), is currently conducting an islands inventory.
Based on the preliminary results in 2013, the latest islands count was announced is 7,641.
Everyone is invited to discover the country’s islands and be updated on possible next travel inspirations and bucket lists. Visit 7641islands.ph.