The initiative will see the department of tourism reach out to the Middle East’s outbound travel industry to create and promote holiday packages that include numerous cultural activities such as visits to local tribal villages, so that tourists can experience first-hand the great diversity of culture that the Philippines offers through each local community’s heritage, folklore, traditions, culinary heritage and traditional crafts.

The experiences will provide visitors with not only the opportunity to visit such communities, but also allow them to immerse themselves in the local customs with a focus on authenticity and preserving the rich cultural heritage.

The Philippines is home to 7,107 islands, and more than 175 ethnolinguistic groups, spread out throughout the Philippines. As such, no matter where one chooses to visit in the Philippines, there are opportunities to experience a cultural tour to communities still practicing a traditional way of life.

Cultural activities can naturally be combined with tours and activities that highlight the Philippines natural landscape and include among others snorkelling in pristine waters, zip lining through jungle forests and the tasting of many local fruits that has made the Philippines famous worldwide.