By Alithea De Jesus
Photo from THEPHILBIZNEWS/MAS
Gears up to welcome travelers and shoppers with 6-days a week store operations
The decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases released to lower the alert level to the most relaxed Alert Level 1 was welcomed by Duty Free Philippines.
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Duty Free Philippines Chief Operating Officer Vicente Angala said, “We are grateful and welcome the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place the National Capital Region as well as the other areas in the country under Alert Level 1.”
“This is very timely as we all know many foreigners want to enjoy our sunset, beautiful beaches and other exciting tourist destinations. Since we are in the summertime now, we at Duty Free is truly elated with this development,” Angala said.
“Part of the preparation of the Duty Free towards the economic recovery is to ensure, we will be able to offer more exciting and quality products to all our guests, Balikbayans and OFWs. We have been looking forward to this. And personally, I always tell to our team, no matter how long the night is, the sun will come to shine and it’s going to be basking,” he added.
“I have many plans in the pipeline for Duty Free Philippines. if not for the pandemic, I am sure all the things I wanted to do will be realized. But moving forward, this is just the beginning, the best is yet to come since we are in Alert Level 1 now,” Angala said.
Duty Free Store operations
Travelers, Balikbayan and OFWs can now do their tax-free shopping at our two Duty Free Stores. The Fiestamall store in Paranaque City and Luxe Duty Free Mall at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, will be ready to serve them 6 days a week for the time being and soon maybe 7 days a week.
“The reopening of our borders to international travelers will certainly increase the volume of travelers in the Philippines. I also read that there is already a 40-percent increase in arrivals in February from January. Conservatively, let’s peg it at 80% this is a good market for the Duty Free Philippines,” Angala explained.
“I expect more Filipinos who are living abroad have been wanting to come home and this is the perfect time to be back home and do your shopping. They don’t even have to worry about the safety in all our Duty Free Stores, in Fiestamall and Luxe Duty Free. We have well-established health protocols to ensure everyone’s shopping experience is not only safe but pleasurable. This is their home, and as part of our Filipino hospitality, we will make them feel at home,” he said.
Undoubtedly, the pandemic brought the travel industry to a halt, severely affecting DFPC’s business as a travel retailer. With no market to cater to, the tourism attached agency had to limit its operations, and even close a few provincial stores, to survive.
Accordingly, with the gradual ease in tourism restrictions for the past months, DFPC has been implementing various promotional campaigns such as more significant discounts, enhanced offers, and more gifts and freebies to recapture its market of arriving international travelers. Duty Free Fiestamall has been the ultimate “pasalubong” shopping destination for the whole family of balikbayans and Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and DFPC continues to enhance this unique experience with more enjoyable deals. Luxe Duty Free likewise has enhanced its offering of premium brands to continually meet the discriminating taste of its loyal market of foreign tourists and regular travelers.
Under Alert Level 1, store hours for the Fiestamall will be from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, while Luxe Duty Free is open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays.
For regular updates and more information, visit DFPC’s official portal at www.dfp.com.ph or its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@dutyfreephils).