THE TOURISM Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines recently concluded its final Domestic Tourism Invitational Program (DTIP) for 2026. Held in Iloilo from September 28 to October 2, the program brought together 15 TPB members comprising travel agencies and tour operators to explore the region’s experiences to develop tourism opportunities.
Immersing in Iloilo’s Living Heritage
In observance of National Indigenous Peoples Month, the program visited three communities outside Iloilo City.
The participants visited Tumandok (Panay Bukidnon) of Brgy. Panuran, Lambunao, home to a School of Living Traditions that helps preserve and pass on traditional knowledge and cultural practices. In Sitio Nagpana, Barotac Viejo, the Ati community highlighted their coffee production of world-class beans and their traditional Nito weaving. Meanwhile, the emerging Panay Bukidnon community of Brgy. Quipot, Janiuay, showcased its bamboo weaving tradition, currently carried on by only four all-women master weavers.
The visits provided opportunities for meaningful exchanges with community members, including elders and women, who continue to play a vital role in keeping their traditions and culture alive. From cooking heirloom dishes to learning their traditional ways of weaving, participants were introduced to practices and stories passed down through generations. These encounters highlighted how tourism can support inclusive opportunities for communities to share their knowledge, skills, and cultural traditions with visitors.
“Iloilo offers travelers experiences that go beyond the usual,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. “From heritage and culinary tours in the city to the living traditions in its communities, every experience offers a chance to form a deeper connection to the destination. Through initiatives like DTIP, we hope to bring these stories closer to more visitors and inspire them to discover more reasons to love Iloilo and the Philippines.”
Discovering Iloilo’s Diverse Tourism Experiences
The program also featured a tour of the City of Love, which showcased Iloilo’s rich heritage and culinary identity. Participants explored the city’s famous landmarks, such as the Molo Mansion and Church, and Jaro Cathedral, among others. The members also visited the National Museum, Agatona 1927 Museum Cafe, Brandy Museum, and Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) for an appreciation of the creative traditions and contemporary art expressions in the province.
As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Iloilo also offered the participants a glimpse of its culinary identity through distinctly local experiences, such as tasting the savory batchoy and exploring their public and seafood markets, where local ingredients and fresh produce form an integral part of the city’s everyday food culture.
The program also featured Iloilo’s agritourism and sustainability efforts. Participants visited Terra Verde in Ajuy to experience its agricultural landscape, and Damires Hills Resort and Spa in Janiuay for its wellness and farm tourism. A short walk along the Iloilo River Esplanade likewise showcased the city’s efforts to create greener and more livable public spaces.
To conclude the program, DTIP also included business-to-business (B2B) meetings with local stakeholders to identify potential partnerships and opportunities to further promote Iloilo’s tourism offerings.
This journey presented Iloilo beyond its well-known attractions, highlighting destinations where heritage, culture, and sustainability come together in the everyday life of its people.
DTIP serves as a platform for TPB Members to look beyond familiar destinations and discover authentic experiences that can be developed into market-ready tourism offerings.