DOT launches PH's first hop-on hop-off bus tours in Makati —here are the places you can visit
Going on a curated tour can make traveling a lot simpler as the itineraries and schedules are already set by travel agencies. However, it could also be limiting if you want to explore tourist spots longer.
This dilemma may now be solved with the first ever Philippine hop-on hop-off bus tours, where you will be able to have total freedom to sightsee significant attractions to your heart's desire.
Launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off aims to provide tourists and fully independent individual travelers with flexibility on when and how they will tour a destination through a "seamless, contactless transport and tour booking system."
The sightseeing buses are inspired from those in foreign countries such as Argentina, London, New York, Singapore, among others, and are set to explore various places of interest in Makati.
Upon full implementation of the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off, tourists can ride the bus at designated stops within the city and be dropped off at exciting landmarks to enjoy activities that have been curated by the tourism department.
To bring more convenience to tourists, the project will have a dedicated website containing all of the essential information for the travel experience as well as a reloadable EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa)-capable card.
Those opting to go on a cashless trip will also be catered as there will be a mobile app for making cashless payments and booking tours. It will also feature GPS networked-bus arrival monitoring and video guides and information on hotels, food, and tourism merchants.
Some of the places you can visit by taking the bus are:
- Washington Sycip Park- a privately owned public park near Greenbelt mall where you can relax and unwind with its recreational spaces and indigenous tropical trees.
- Ayala Malls Circuit- a shopping center that boasts a wide selection of food spots, shopping and entertainment options, world-class event venues, and sports facilities.
- Museo ng Makati- a municipal museum that houses a number of well-preserved artifacts, treasures, and relics that depict Makati City's rich history and culture.
The tour does not come for free, however, as each person will need to pay a fare of P1,000.
DOT highlighted that preparations are already being made for the Philippines Hop-On Hop-Off to also be implemented in the cultural hub of Manila. Both cities included in the sightseeing bus program will become fully operational after the grand launch slated some time in June.