Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) officially launched a new government platform offering curated and discounted travel deals across the Philippines. The campaign, titled 'Discover More to Love,' was introduced during the Central Philippine Tourism Expo (CPTEx) at Ayala Malls Sta. Rosa, Laguna, aiming to provide travelers with reliable information and affordable travel options.
According to Philippines News Agency, DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized the platform's role as a tool for travelers to access dependable travel information while avoiding scams. She highlighted the importance of monitoring and addressing complaints through the platform, which features partnerships with local hotels, tour operators, airlines, and other partners such as AirAsia MOVE, Klook, and Mastercard. The platform offers discounted rates on various travel experiences, including staycations, wellness activities, flights, and dining credits.
The DOT's newly improved website, www.tourism.gov.ph, will host these travel deals. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) underscores the growing significance of domestic tourism, with expenditure projected to reach PHP3.26 trillion in 2025 and industry employment rising to 7.7 million by the same year. Internal tourism expenditure witnessed a growth of 1.2 percent, increasing from PHP3.91 trillion in 2024 to PHP3.96 trillion in 2025.
Jonel Magdaraog, owner and general manager of The Bachelor Travel and Tours, noted a significant increase in domestic bookings post-pandemic, with a 30 to 40 percent surge. He expressed optimism regarding the potential of domestic tourism as a key driver for their business.
DOT Secretary Angara-Mathay clarified that 'Discover More to Love' is not a replacement for the 'Love the Philippines' branding but complements it to enhance domestic travel promotion. The campaign aims to encourage Filipinos to explore their own country further, supported by a shared platform between the DOT and tourism stakeholders to market local products and promote emerging destinations.
The campaign, developed by the DOT's in-house team at no extra cost, seeks to identify and develop hidden gems in various regions. It is part of the agency's response to the private sector's demand for a strengthened domestic tourism promotion campaign during the soft season from July to November 2026.
Currently, the platform offers over 3,000 travel deals from more than 70 participating firms, with opportunities for additional businesses to join. Industry stakeholders, including the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), and Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), have expressed support for the initiative.
HSMA president Loleth So highlighted the campaign's potential to unify various sectors of the tourism industry, while PHILTOA president Malou Japson described it as a crucial step in enhancing the Philippines' international market positioning. She applauded the DOT for its focus on digital, consistent, and experience-driven marketing efforts to boost competitiveness and visibility.
The DOT convened with various tourism groups on June 23 to ensure the campaign's success and gather input from stakeholders. Participants included representatives from the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, Inc. (PTAA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), Global Tourism Business Association, Inc. (GTBA), Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, Sunlight Air, Mastercard, VISA, and BYD Philippines.
