REGIONAL insurance technology firm Igloo, in partnership with GCash and leading local underwriter Malayan Insurance, launched Travel Master, a comprehensive travel insurance product with Covid-19 coverage to be offered and purchased on the e-wallet. The brand-new product offered coverage for personal accident, emergency medical treatment, hospital cash allowance, travel inconvenience benefits and Covid-19 protection. With tourism on the upswing due to the easing of restrictions, Travel Master would enable Filipinos to undertake trips with assured protection in the event of a medical emergency due to the pandemic.

In the forum, titled 'The Philippines and revenge tourism – are we ready,' former Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat shared that 'revenge travel' or leisure travel that follows a period of being unable to travel is driving the tourism boom in the country. Since easing restrictions in February 2022, the country has seen a gradual rise in travel among Filipinos, particularly to local destinations. In fact, 85 percent of tourism contribution to the gross domestic product could be attributed to domestic travel, which was expected to grow further with the opening of more local destinations. Travel Master would help Filipinos be prepared for health and travel risks for their trips.