DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental to lead the opening of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) in the Northern Mindanao region, Thursday (May 23).
In her message to all PEP delegates, the tourism chief emphasized the importance of the event, citing as well how domestic tourism contributed greatly to the gains of the industry post-pandemic.
“Today, we are gathered here under the banner of the Philippine Experience, a flagship program under the Marcos Administration that seeks to open the eyes of the world to the wonders of our nation, not only from the lens of our award-winning and emerging destinations but also, most importantly, through our heart and our soul that can only be known through our songs, our dances, our food, our local indigenous communities, our local dialects, the products of our local artisans and makers,” she said.
She noted that the goal of PEP is primarily to [re]introduce emerging destinations in the country, including areas in Northern Mindanao, to equalize tourism opportunities.
“The Philippine Experience Program perfectly aligns with the National Tourism Development Plan approved by our President under his administration. By showcasing emerging destinations such as Cagayan de Oro and other areas in northern Mindanao, we are expanding the tourism map of the Philippines. That as we support our award-winning and already well-known destinations globally, we give opportunities for tourism development for those that are yet to be known by our tourists worldwide. This strategy not only diversifies our tourism offerings, but most importantly distributes economic benefits all over the country,” she said.
In 2023, the year ended with the Philippines raking over $53.3 billion in domestic tourism expenditure alone, as emphasized by the Secretary in her speech. With PEP, the Department aims to further the figures through the presence of foreign dignitaries who are joining the program so they themselves can share the stories to “Love The Philippines.”
“The success of the tourism industry hinges on our collective efforts. By fostering destinations like Cagayan de Oro into this new era of tourism under the Marcos administration, by celebrating our culture, by promoting sustainable tourism development practices, we are paving the way for a future where the tourism sector contributes significantly to the national economy and where its benefits are enjoyed by every Filipino. Let us continue to work together to showcase the many reasons to love and celebrate the Philippines, to cherish our shared heritage, and ensure that the beauty of our land and the warmth of our people are known all over the world,” she concluded.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Department of Tourism- Philippines Facebook Page.
