Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (Photo: DOT)
Some 400 accredited tour guides from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao converged in Cebu City on Wednesday, Sept. 17, for the first-ever Philippine Tour Guides Summit organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the summit will provide a national platform for tour guides, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to collaborate, elevate professional standards, and enhance tourist experiences nationwide.
Led by the DOT’s Office of Human Capital Development (OHCD), the one-day event will honor tour guides as key ambassadors of Philippine tourism whose storytelling and hospitality shape how visitors experience the country.
As of Aug. 31, the DOT has accredited 4,598 regional and community tour guides, with Central Visayas accounting for the largest share at 2,020.
Under the theme “Love our Islands, Love our Stories,” the summit will feature Frasco as keynote speaker, joined by the World Tour Guides Federation, government and private sector partners, seasoned guides, and tour operators.
The summit will also equip guides with skills, knowledge, and resources to deliver culturally enriching experiences that foster national pride and support community development.