The Department of Tourism will shortly launch its ‘Philippine Experience’ project that is designed to entice tourists, local and foreign, to visit various regional tourist destinations in the country.
A tourism project, the initiative will showcase and highlight the Philippines’ heritage and culture to attract both Filipino and foreign tourist to travel and enjoy unique Pinoy experiences throughout the country.
Its program would involve caravans that will feature and showcase Filipino culture, heritage, arts, colors, festivals and “living traditions” that are unique to each region.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Philippine Experience draws inspiration from the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, a Cebuano initiative that sought to promote Cebu’s products and give tourists a chance to discover underrated destinations.
“Our goal is to equalize opportunities across the regions and support the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage and artistic resources,” Frasco said during the recent Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
“Through these experiential travel modules, we hope to introduce the very essence of our nation more deeply to our tourists and instill a sense of pride and patriotism among the Filipino people through greater appreciation of our country’s heritage,” she added.
The ‘Philippine Experience’ forms part of the list of programs DOT will implement in the coming months to help the tourism sector recover from the effects of the pandemic and position the Philippines as a primary tourism destination in Asia.
Frasco said DOT would also strengthen its promotion efforts and the opening of Mindanao tourism to equally distribute the benefits from the industry among the regions.
“We’ve already started by groundbreaking in Mindanao the tourist areas in Bukidnon, specifically in Manolo Fortich, also in Samal Island in Davao del Norte,” she told media reporters.
“In keeping with our commitment to equalize tourism product development and promotion, DOT will spotlight destinations and regions that were not previously promoted,” she added.
Frasco said DOT now closely coordinates with the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to fully ensure the security of travelers visiting Mindanao.
She said these initiatives are in line with the direction President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has set to “reintroduce the country’s beauty to the world” and make tourism a major pillar of our national economic recovery.”
“We are just at the beginning of our journey but I assure you the best days of the tourism industry are yet to come,” Frasco said and enjoins tourism stakeholders to help the government as DOT continues to develop tourism products and improve the overall tourists’ experience in the country.
Frasco has likewise announced the revival of the Philippine Tourism Awards to recognize tourism-related establishments that have innovatively and creatively projected Philippine culture and the Filipino brand.