Tourism Leaders Decry False “Least Safe Country” Tag on Philippines: DOT Demands Retraction from HelloSafe

**** by: Edjun Mariposque

****

June 19, 2025

4–6 minutes

Tourism Secretary Frasco slams baseless report, warns of real damage to Filipino livelihoods and global traveler confidence

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Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT), together with major tourism stakeholders, has strongly condemned a “false and misleading” online report that ranked the Philippines as the “least safe country in the world.” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco labeled the controversial “HelloSafe Safety Index 2025” as deceptive, lacking credibility, and damaging to the country’s tourism sector.

“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 statement posted on June 19, 2025, through her official Facebook page.

Frasco lambasted HelloSafe—a travel insurance company—for allegedly prioritizing insurance sales over accuracy and transparency. She pointed out inconsistencies such as reused safety scores across different countries within a short period and the absence of methodological disclosure or data sources.

The DOT chief also criticized HelloSafe for quietly removing the Philippines from its narrative without issuing any clarification or accountability—actions that she said had already caused real-world consequences.

“The impact of this false narrative is not abstract,” she stated. “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 has since demanded that HelloSafe retract and correct all references to its misleading data across all platforms and ensure future reporting tools are based on accurate and verifiable information.

Frasco also reaffirmed the Philippine government’s commitment to tourist safety, highlighting the cooperation between police forces, law enforcement, and local governments to maintain security in key and emerging destinations.

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Tourism Sector Stands United

Leaders in the tourism and hospitality sector echoed Frasco’s sentiments and rallied behind the DOT’s call for truth and accountability.

Arthur Lopez, President of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), called the HelloSafe report “misleading, unfair, and detrimental,” noting its potential to undo years of progress in promoting the country as a vibrant and welcoming destination.

Maria Paz Alberto, speaking for both the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA), denounced the “inaccurate” characterization of the Philippines and warned of the long-term economic consequences such misinformation could inflict.

“This unjust characterization misrepresents the realities of travel safety in the Philippines and undermines the diligent efforts of local stakeholders,” she said.

The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), through its president Arjun Shroff, also backed Secretary Frasco’s stance, saying, “Those who send a self-centered message must be, should be corrected.”

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Call for Responsible Travel Reporting

Tourism leaders collectively urged all travel-related media and platforms to adopt responsible reporting practices. They stressed the importance of accurate representation, especially in a sector that supports millions of Filipinos and powers local economies.

“The Philippines is not perfect, but we are progressing. We are not the least safe country—but one of the most resilient and warmest destinations in the world,” Frasco concluded.

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