Klook, Asia’s leading platform for experiences and travel services, has officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) to amplify and support initiatives geared towards driving domestic tourism and aid in the digitalization of Philippine tourism.
“Philippine tourism is a key contributor to the country’s economy, making it our priority at the Department of Tourism to discover more innovative ways to maximize our local treasures,” Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism shared. “The tourism landscape has greatly changed, and I believe that by embracing technology and digitalization, we can foster innovation and competitiveness in the tourism sector. With Klook, we’re able to further our efforts to digitalize the tour offerings of our partner operators and the DOT’s Philippine Experience Program, providing them with opportunities to reach even bigger audiences and thrive in the global market,” Frasco added.
The Philippine Experience Program (PEP) is an initiative by the DOT to showcase and celebrate the country’s culture, heritage, and arts through a series of caravans. Having completed nine legs across the country, PEP will soon extend the program to the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Caraga Region. Now available on Klook, the platform serves as an accessible portal for Filipino and global travelers alike to experience more of the Philippines and book their own curated tour that showcases the essence of the different regions.
“We are happy to be partnering with the Philippine Department of Tourism for this significant step towards digitalizing the Philippine tourism industry, bringing treasured destinations and experiences on Klook and making them more accessible to travelers from the Philippines and across the globe,” Eric Gnock Fah, President and Co-Founder of Klook stated. “By offering these authentic Filipino experiences, we aim to attract next-generation travelers who are eager to invest in unique adventures, helping to position the Philippines as a top destination for young, experience-driven tourists globally. This is definitely a milestone moment for us at Klook, as it is an honor for us to introduce these unique Filipino experiences and destinations to more travelers on our platform.”
Doubling down on the partnership, Michelle Ho, Klook’s General Manager for the Philippines stated, “In connecting with local tour operators and providing them with a platform that connects them at a global level, we’re able to provide our merchants with opportunities to reach more customers and at the same time, provide our Gen Z and Millennial travelers with the meaningful one-of-a-kind experiences they’ve been known to look out for.”
At the Memorandum of Agreement signing event, the DOT and Klook unveiled a pioneering roster of PEP tours on the platform, including a Culture, Heritage & Arts Tour in Calabarzon, where travelers will discover the captivating Pagsanjan Falls, and cultural landmarks like the connective Pinto Art Museum and the historical Villa Escudero, as well as a Culture, Heritage & Adventure Tour in Bicol, where one can embark on an ATV adventure to Mayon Volcano and sample the delicious Bicolano cuisine, highlighting the wonders found south of the capital in Luzon.
Up north, the Culture, Heritage & Arts Tour in the Ilocos Region offers visitors to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage City to discover the Philippines’ Spanish colonial history. During the tour, participants will also get the chance to interact with locals and savor local specialties like empanadas and tupig.
For those looking to explore the Visayas region, travelers can look into visiting Silay City, known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and heritage houses, as well as its fresh and delectable seafood through the Culture, Heritage & Arts Tour in Western Visayas.
To round up the pioneering set of tours is an exclusive experience highlighting the beautiful sights, history, and traditions of Palawan in the Culture, Heritage & Arts Tour in Palawan, through the Palawan Special Battalion WW-II Memorial Museum, Binuatan Weaving Creation workshops and the Butterfly Garden.
On top of the PEP campaigns, the partnership also looks to integrate the DOT’s Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) on Klook and initiate exploratory partnerships with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Clark International Airport through the endorsement of the DOT.
“We believe that in partnering with the DOT, we don’t just get to offer a wider variety of experiences for travelers. We also have the opportunity to uplift local tourism businesses that have not yet integrated their operations digitally, providing a boost in their efficiency and customer base. With that, we’re very thrilled and honored to work with the DOT and aid in the current administration’s reform for a digitally enhanced and experience-centered travel experience.” Ho stated.
For more information on the PEP, visit here.
