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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOT harnesses Visa technology for enhanced tourism, thriving small businesses

DOT harnesses Visa technology for enhanced tourism, thriving small businesses

Published Nov 28, 2025 12:30 pm  |  Updated Nov 28, 2025 01:08 pm

At A Glance

  • DOT harnesses Visa digital solutions for better tourism experiences and thriving SMEs.
  • Tourists can make seamless payments at key destinations using Visa.
  • SMEs gain support through digitalization and financial literacy programs.
  • MOU signed by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Visa Regional Head Bella Lai.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (right) and Visa Government Solutions Regional Head for Southeast Asia Bella Lai sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on digital solutions to boost tourism and empower small businesses at the DOT Central Office in Makati City on November 27, 2025. (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (right) and Visa Government Solutions Regional Head for Southeast Asia Bella Lai sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on digital solutions to boost tourism and empower small businesses at the DOT Central Office in Makati City on November 27, 2025. (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is harnessing Visa digital solutions to streamline payments, enhance visitor experiences, and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across key tourist destinations.
The initiative was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Visa Government Solutions Regional Head for Southeast Asia Bella Lai on Thursday, Nov. 27, at the DOT Central Office in Makati City.
“This partnership with Visa will address and fulfill one of the commitments made by our President in approving the National Tourist Development Plan, and that is to prioritize digitalization and ensure that in the programs we introduce to our destinations, there is always equality in tourism development,” Frasco said.
Under the agreement, local and international tourists can use Visa for payments at key destinations.
SMEs, meanwhile, will receive guidance on digitalization and financial literacy programs designed to improve operations, boost competitiveness, and strengthen their role in the tourism sector.
Visa’s data-driven tools will also provide DOT with valuable insights to optimize tourism planning and development nationwide.
Witnessing the MOU signing were DOT Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and Ferdinand Jumapao, Assistant Secretaries Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Czarina Zara-Loyola, Ronald Conopio, Director Alven Talisic, and Visa executives Trifina Sala and Ralphy Ty.

Related Tags

DOT Visa tourism digitalization SMEs financial literacy programs
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