Promoting heritage-based tourism helps revive local economies by creating livelihoods and supporting communities through increased activity in the tourism sector, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco made the statement during the opening of the 10th International Travel Festival (ITF) 2025 held on March 14 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
Frasco said the Marcos administration remains focused on enhancing infrastructure, streamlining travel processes, and promoting key destinations to attract more visitors, extend their stay, and boost revenue in the tourism industry.
She also underscored the role of public-private partnerships in advancing sustainable tourism and generating employment, particularly in heritage-rich areas that showcase Filipino culture and identity.
The three-day event gathered over 100 exhibitors and nearly 200 booths offering special deals from airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, visa providers, and tourism boards.
DOT regional offices collaborated with private stakeholders to promote domestic destinations through cultural exhibits and live performances, highlighting the diversity of the country’s tourism offerings.
ITF 2025 also featured the 6th Cebu Travel Exchange (CTX), which facilitated business networking among industry professionals, and the Tourism Students Day (TSD), which included competitions in tour guiding, essay writing, and cultural presentations by university students in Cebu.
Visitors experienced regional pride through destination-themed culinary offerings at ITF Food City, which showcased local flavors and cuisines from across the country.
According to the DOT, ITF 2025 serves as a strategic platform to accelerate tourism growth, strengthen business linkages, and support economic recovery through community-based and heritage-driven initiatives.