TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Tourism in Region 8 (DOT-8) is spearheading a three-day familiarization tour across key destinations in Samar and Leyte to promote Eastern Visayas’ diverse tourism offerings to national travel trade representatives. Bringing together approximately 50 tour operators from various parts of the Philippines, the initiative provides industry stakeholders with firsthand experiences of the region’s natural attractions, cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and local hospitality services. By immersing travel organizers directly into the regional circuit, DOT-8 aims to encourage the inclusion of Eastern Visayas in nationwide travel packages and curated itineraries.
The three-day itinerary specifically highlights the emerging tourism potential of Basey in Samar alongside Baybay, Ormoc, and Carigara in Leyte, showcasing a blend of nature-based adventures, heritage sites, and community-based cultural encounters. DOT-8 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Catherina Apostol emphasized that the program goes beyond simple destination marketing, focusing heavily on forging sustainable commercial partnerships between regional tourism operators and the national travel industry.
"We want tourism growth to translate into more opportunities for our communities, particularly our local enterprises, guides, transport providers, and tourism workers," Apostol stated regarding the broader economic goals of the tour.
Through direct business-to-business engagement and on-the-ground destination validation, DOT-8 seeks to position Samar and Leyte as competitive, ready-to-book stops for domestic and international travelers. Ultimately, the familiarization tour reinforces the agency's strategy of driving inclusive grassroots livelihood growth by connecting local service providers directly with major tour operators across the country.
