Motoring Today Column

Dec 02, 2020

The tourism industry is among the hardest hit sectors of the local economy as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It's going to be a tough battle to get tourism back to pre-Covid levels, especially with international and local travel restrictions in place.

Still, domestic tourism can help the sector survive and overcome the effects of the contagion.

Even before the pandemic, motorcycle enthusiasts and clubs have been among major contributors to a thriving domestic tourism.

Many motorcycle clubs can be seen enjoying weekend rides to the countryside.

So it's only natural that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is looking to motorcycle enthusiasts to help boost tourism as the nation slowly returns to what many now call the new normal.

The DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) have launched "Motourismo," a Motorcycle Tourism Caravan to encourage riders and riders' clubs to do what they have always love doing, ride to the countrysides.

In a press statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat explained the Motourismo objective, saying: "By initiating this safe yet very thrilling and worthwhile campaign to promote motorcycle tourism through TPB, we want to restore the confidence of the public to travel domestically and help the tourism industry to bounce back from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis."

Motorcycles are said to be among the safest form of personal mobility these days and the DOT is look to tap "motor riders as domestic tourism ambassadors because they are in a position to help promote the Philippines as a country of fun and diverse experience," Secretary Romulo-Puyat said.

Moutorismo also looks to encourage tour operators "create new tour programs to be offered to both domestic and international tourists, help those who lost their jobs jumpstart small businesses, and generally serve as a platform to disseminate information on safety and health protocols when people go outside," the press statement said.

Many agree that the motorcyle is a "secure and viable transportation mode to explore tourist attractions with minimum health and safety protocols in place."

Mazda Pangolin

Can naming a pickup after an endangered species sell units?

We'll soon find out after Mazda Philippines launched the BT-50 4x4 Pangolin pickup truck.

For those who don't know it yet, the pangolin is an anteater endemic to the islands of Palawan that is now deemed an endangered species.

Mazda Philippines president and CEO Steven Tan explains the naming its pickup after an anteater, saying: "The Philippine Pangolin is an endemic and critically endangered species that deserves our attention and concern. Like the BT-50, it is a reserved, yet highly proficient, hard worker.

"That is why together with Katala Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit Philippine NGO that is active in protecting and conserving threatened endemic wildlife, we at Mazda Philippines will make use of the enduring nature of the BT-50 to promote awareness and inspire conservation of one the Philippines' and the world's most critically endangered mammals."

The BT-50 4x4 Pangolin is powered by a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine that generates 200O horsepower and 470 Newton-meters of torque.

Mazda claims the BT-50 can load up to 1,086 kilograms or 1,214 liters in volume of cargo in its reinforced cargo bed. It also comes standard with a new functional and lightweight Aluminum Black Matte Finish Roof Rack.

The cabin can comfortably accommodate five adults on black leather clad seats that match the leather on the steering wheel. It also comes with a 7-inch Touch Screen JVC Infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring capability.

Another significant thing about the BT-50 is that it rolls on 17-inch ROTA alloy wheels, proudly made in the Philippines.

Rush Refreshed

Toyota Rush The claims to be best-selling entry level SUV of 2019 with more than 15,000 units sold. Can it reclaim that title in 2020 even with more competitors in its segment this year?

Toyota Motor Philippines is making a push for sales in the final month of the year with the introduction of a refreshed Rush.

The E Grade variant of the Rush gets the most number of upgrades.

The Rush E now comes with three rows of seats as well as a reverse camera.

All variants also retain key Rush features like the high 220 mm ground clearance, 7-inch infotainment system, back sonar, plus safety features like 6 SRS airbags, anti-lock brake system, vehicle stability control, and more, Toyota said.

Even with the upgrades, the Toyota Rush 1.5 E retails at P1,023,000 for A/T, and P983,000 for M/T variant.

At this price points, the Rush E grade retains its position as a modern, stylish, spacious, efficient, yet reasonably priced family vehicle, said Toyota.

Adds Sherwin Chualim, First Vice President of TMP's Vehicle Sales Operations : "We at Toyota continuously listen to the requests of our customers to make improvements in our cars. The Rush is a favorite family vehicle, and with the Filipino's close-knit and often extended family, we added the third row to bring the joy of moving together to more members."

Happy Motoring!!!

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