DoT chief sees PEP caravan gains

BAGUIO CITY — Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said Thursday that her flagship “Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Culture, Heritage, and Arts Caravan” is beginning to yield financial returns for the country.

Speaking in Itogon, Benguet, Frasco announced that the PEP tour packages, which showcase local destinations, are now being sold by private tour operators and are available online through platforms like Klook.

“On the fiscal side, the Philippine Experience tour packages are now being sold by our tour operators, as well as online on Klook,” Frasco said.

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) marks the 13th leg of the caravan, which will explore Baguio City, Mountain Province, and Benguet from 23 to 25 October. The itinerary includes the popular Northern Blossoms Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet, and a Festival of Festivals on Baguio’s Session Road.

Frasco also stressed the benefit for local communities, noting that the initiative provides stakeholders with a wider reach and market by connecting them with an international audience.

Local community stakeholders are scheduled to hold business-to-business talks with national and regional tour operators to empower local markets.

Ambassadors, diplomatic and consular corps from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and India are participating in the CAR leg of the caravan.

Frasco confirmed that the Philippine Experience Program, which began in June 2023, will continue through next year.