MANILA – The region’s leading online travel platform Klook is now offering curated tour packages from the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) flagship Philippine Experience Program (PEP), featuring five Filipino destinations rich in culture, heritage, and arts.
The initiative was formally launched on Jan. 15, with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the platform and the DOT.
The destinations include tours in Palawan, Calabarzon, Bicol, Ilocos, and the Western Visayas, with Bacolod City as the focus.
“We are grateful that Klook has partnered with the Department of Tourism to support the Love the Philippines campaign, which we have taken all over the world, opening up the eyes of the world to the many reasons to love our country,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
The official said this program aligns with the National Tourism Development Plan’s prioritization of digital innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity as pillars for tourism development.
“As we move forward, let us continue to harness the power of collaboration and innovation together,” she said
For easy search, interested travelers may look up “Klook Exclusive: Culture, Heritage & Arts Tour” in the platform’s search bar. Prices range depending on the packages that the traveler will avail.
In the Calabarzon leg, for example, the package already includes three nights and four days of accommodation, meals, and transportation for PHP33,888 per person if part of a group of four or PHP24,888 per person if part of a group of eight.
“We're very excited to partner up with the Department of Tourism, especially about not leaving out any of tourist operators locally, making sure that digital transformation really impacts the entire industry,” said Klook President and Co-Founder Eric Gnock Fah in an interview.
“Working with the government bodies, we can now make sure that every single party in the Philippine tourism industry is now included, and we will be putting a lot of effort to make sure that that happens (as well as to) connect these experiences to global travelers,” he added.
On top of the PEP curated tours, the partnership also looks to integrate the DOT’s Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) on Klook and initiate exploratory partnerships with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Clark International Airport through the endorsement of the DOT.
At present, Klook has over half a million travel offers or “experiences” on its platform, catering to over 2,700 destinations nationwide. (PNA)