DOT highlights farm tourism’s transformative potential at 8th Philippine International Farm Tourism Conference

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco reaffirmed the Philippine government’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive economic growth through the promotion of farm tourism at the 8th Philippine International Farm Tourism Conference (PIFTC), held Tuesday (Feb. 25) at the KCC Mall in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

The three-day conference, organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) in partnership with the DOT, brought together local and international experts, policymakers, farmers, and tourism stakeholders. The event aimed to highlight General Santos City’s potential as a leading destination for sustainable and innovative farm tourism practices. 

DOT, DSWD formalize partnership to aid disaster-affected tourism front liners

Tourism workers affected by natural calamities, disasters, and emergencies can now avail of financial and training assistance from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

This, after Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian formally sealed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Bayanihan sa Bukas na may Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT) program on Thursday (Jan. 23). Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and Diana Rose Cajipe were also present and served as witnesses. 

Philippines to Host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026

Johor Bahru, Malaysia – In a significant milestone for Philippine tourism, The Philippines represented by Secretary of Tourism Christina Garcia Frasco formally accepted the chairmanship of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 during a ceremonial handover held at the Johor International Convention Center on January 20, 2025. The symbolic gavel was handed  over  to Secretary Frasco by  Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture  marking The  Philippines' commitment to host this prestigious event.  

The ATF is set to include the highly anticipated ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting,  which will convene in the  province of Cebu in January 2026. 

DOT’s Philippine Experience Program now on KLOOK

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Klook Philippines on Wednesday (Jan. 15) formally signed a partnership that would make travel experience in the country more accessible for all, highlighting curated tour packages of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), a flagship tourism program that was developed and launched under the Marcos Administration.

With the unveiling of the latest collaboration between the DOT and one of Asia’s leading platforms for experiences and travel services comes a pioneering roster of PEP tours on the platform offering tours across the country. It also aims to accelerate the digitalization of Philippine tourism.

Inspired By Love, DOT Unveils Murals Featuring Breathtaking Sites, Rich Biodiversity

Driven by the passion to let future generations witness the beauty of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled a series of murals that featured not only breathtaking tourist sites across the country but also its rich natural wonders.

From July to October 2024, DOT’s regional offices led their respective celebrations of “Love Inspired: The Philippines, a Canvas of Biodiversity” in 16 locations, all popular tourist destinations.

The events, also called Love Biodiversity Day 2024, highlighted the launch of murals made by local artists and activities that raised the awareness of tourism stakeholders and local communities about taking care of the environment.

DOT’s Immersive Cube Experience Showcases the Philippines’ Tourist Spots Like an Artwork

Like a visually appealing artwork, art enthusiasts and collectors marvel at the natural and man-made wonders of the Philippines through the “Immersive Cube Experience”— an innovative attraction that brought the country’s beauty to life in an art setting.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the Immersive Cube Experience during the ManilArt 2024, one of the country’s longest-running visual arts fairs, held at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City last October 9, 2024. This event bridged the world of tourism and art, attracting both art aficionados and curious onlookers.

The photo and video booth enabled visitors to witness the Philippines’s world-renowned tourist destinations through five LED screens seamlessly arranged to create a 3D-like environment. The cube’s interior featured three walls, a ceiling, and a floor— swathed in blue, reminiscent of the Philippines’ crystal-clear waters. The vibrant Love the Philippines campaign was prominently displayed setting the tone for the celebration of the country’s natural and cultural riches.

DOT, TPB to lead Philippine Delegation to World Travel Market 2024 London

With the goal of showcasing the Philippines' diverse tourism offerings and solidifying its position as a premier global destination, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines will lead the largest Philippine delegation to the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 since the pandemic. The WTM 2024 will be held from November 5 to 7, 2024, at ExCeL, London.

The WTM is one of the leading global business-to-business events for the travel industry, bringing together tourism professionals, government ministers, and international media to showcase innovations in travel and tourism. Founded in 1980, the event serves as a vital platform for nations to build business connections and strengthen their global presence.

"We see the World Travel Market London as a vital platform to present the Philippines to a global audience, showcasing the distinctive qualities that set our country apart—from our award-winning destinations and vibrant culture to our rich gastronomy, world-class hospitality facilities, and the renowned warmth of the Filipino people. With our largest delegation of tour operators, hotels, and resorts since the pandemic, the DOT and TPB Philippines are strategically positioned to strengthen international partnerships and solidify the Philippines as a premier destination in the global tourism market, reaffirming our commitment to transforming the country into a tourism powerhouse in Asia, as envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” said DOT Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

LOVE LUXURY: DOT reveals top-tier hotels, resorts recommended by Michelin Guide

When it comes to spending a lot – we mean a whole lot – for a relaxing vacation, local and foreign travelers can look to the Philippines for a top-tier yet worthwhile getaway.

A reliable guide for tourists looking for high-quality restaurants and hotels is the iconic Michelin Guide, which has been rating mostly restaurants worldwide for over a century. According to information from its website (https://guide.michelin.com/en/about-us), “the guide now rates over 30,000 establishments in over 30 territories across three continents.”

The world-famous guide has featured on its website six accommodation establishments in the Philippines. These include three luxury hotels located in Metro Manila and three luxury island resorts scattered throughout the country’s major island groups, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast

The Department of Tourism (DOT) presents its first podcast, “Escape: Stories from the Road,” showcasing the best destinations in the Philippines through stories from different personalities.

Escape: Stories from the Road

This five-episode podumentary, a combination of podcast and documentary, infuses an element of storytelling, veering away from the usual question-and-answer formats of podcasts. Through these stories, the DOT hopes to reach out to various audience and inspire them to participate in meaningful tourism through unique experiences and local interactions.

One of the special guests, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, shared stories about Baguio—his home and a UNESCO Creative City. Photo courtesy of Kidlat De Guia.

DOT Launches Tribute To Tourism Workers

What happens when you take away the sun, the sand, and the sea from tourism ads?

The People Make the Destination. Courtesy of Department of Tourism - Philippines

This is the question—and the challenge—the Philippines Department of Tourism poses in their latest campaign, which is fast becoming the DOT’s most-watched video on its Tiktok account.

Without the actors and the typical sweeping scenery audiences have come to expect from tourism spots, this ad focuses on what’s truly important: the people.

DOT launches “Keep the Fun Going” sustainable tourism campaign with gamified challenges

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the second phase of the Save Our Spots (SOS) campaign titled, “Keep the Fun Going”, to encourage tourists to practice eco-friendly travels.

The campaign builds on the gains of the SOS phase one that was launched in 2019 to educate travelers about becoming responsible tourists. “Keep the Fun Going” aims not only to educate but also motivate travelers to take part in sustainable tourism practices, mainly through gamified challenges.

“The DOT has been integrating sustainable tourism principles in its projects, programs and policies, even involving tourists to be part of these efforts. Through the SOS campaign, we aim to raise awareness about responsible travel and emphasize that every small act goes a long way to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from and enjoy nature’s abundance,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

DOT launches website with exclusive travel deals for Balikbayans

Big discounts and great deals from airlines, accommodation establishments, tour operators and travel agencies await Filipinos who will come home this season. The Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the balikan.ph website - a one-stop site for Balikbayan-exclusive promos with as much as 50 percent discount on vacation packages including hotel and resort rates. 

Under the “Balikan ang Pilipinas” campaign of the DOT, the balikan.ph website aims to encourage Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to return home for the holiday season and rediscover the Philippines with their loved ones.

DOT puts a spotlight on the Pampanga-Clark-Cebu City Interregional Tour

The newly built Clark International Airport Terminal 2.
Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism Region 3

With the easing of restrictions on leisure travel, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has started to promote the various tourism circuits that it had been developing throughout the year. One of these is the Pampanga-Clark-Cebu City interregional tour that involves a diverse set of tourism attractions and experiences and their respective award-winning international airports.

“We have been ramping up our efforts to vaccinate our tourism workers so that we restore confidence in people to travel again. Now, with the resumption of leisure travel, we are encouraging tourists to visit destinations that have a high number of fully vaccinated tourism workers,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

DOT Launches “More Fun Awaits” global campaign to showcase travel preps

View from the peak of the well-known Mt. Apo
in Davao. Photo courtesy of Aya Lowe for the
Department of Tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched the More Fun Awaits campaign to strengthen the Philippines’ positioning as a top-of-mind tourist destination in the global market once international leisure travel to the country resumes. 

More Fun Awaits showcases the preparations that the DOT has been carrying out while tourism has been put on hold because of the pandemic. The campaign is focused on communicating exciting destinations to visit, starting with those that have been ready to welcome local tourists and have minimum health and safety protocols in place. 

DOT celebrates World Environment Month, highlights responsible marine wildlife interactions

In celebration of World Environment Month this June, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reiterates the need for tourists to educate themselves on sustainable interaction with marine wildlife. 

“Observing marine wildlife in its natural habitat is incredibly fulfilling and quite an experience you cannot forget,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. She stressed, however, that while this is an extraordinary experience, "irresponsible interaction with marine wildlife can cause severe long-term damage to them and their environment.

DOT and TikTok launch #SarapMagingPinoy Campaign to promote local food tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tiktok's #SarapMagingPinoy campaign, as of this writing, has garnered more than 35 million views. The campaign aims to encourage locals to celebrate Filipino pride by sharing treasured dishes from all over the country and promote a renewed interest and love for local cuisines. 

Under the #SarapMagingPinoy campaign, various content creators from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao shared clips of homemade recipes and dishes. In the videos, with its views growing exponentially daily, local produce and the diverse cooking styles found in the archipelago were creatively presented. Some videos featured home cooks preparing the dishes amidst the scenic destinations where these recipes were made popular. 

DOT Pushes Enterprises to Adopt to Sustainable Tourism this World Environment Day

Costales Nature Farm 

In celebration of World Environment Day 2021, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urged hotels and resorts to become DOT-accredited to receive assistance in its rapid adoption of sustainable practices.

DOT Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat stated, "Reviving local economy and creating livelihood is DOT's current priority. However, the pandemic has allowed us to be more persistent in our goal to instill accountability in businesses to become more sustainable."

Puyat explained that the perks of being accredited equate to getting assistance from DOT in many aspects of running a tourism enterprise, but more specifically, access to technical tools and experts that can help an establishment make the transition to going green.

“DOT will continue to focus on marketing sustainability to the public- educating them on how to be sustainable tourists while also encouraging tourists to support accredited businesses that have exemplary green practices,” Puyat said. 

More than 400k displaced tourism workers get DOT-DOLE cash aid

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat today (1 May ) announced that 465,530 tourism workers nationwide have been approved to receive cash assistance under the DOT-DOLE Cash Assistance Program of the Bayanihan 2 amounting to Php 2,327,650,000.

Of this number, 39,429 are from the National Capital Region (NCR); 26,908 from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); 45,709 from Region 1; 17,293 from Region 2; 55,974 from Region 3; 61,392 from Region 4A; 56,955 from Region 4B; 11,468 from Region 5; 45,429 from Region 6; 31,712 from Region 7; 13,327 from Region 8; 6,609 from Region 9; 13,939 from Region 10; 26,095 from Region 11; 5,661 from Region 12, and 7,630 from Region 13.

DOT inspires Balikbayans to Come Home with ‘Balikan Ang Pilipinas’ Campaign

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched the Balikan Ang Pilipinas campaign to encourage Balikbayans to travel to the Philippines this season and visit the country's sites and destinations with their loved ones.

"With the campaign, we welcome our balikbayans back home, who now have the opportunity to be together with their families and friends. This is the chance for them to create new memories while visiting destinations that are now open and safe for tourists." DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.