The Philippines Department of Tourism and Klook renewed a multi-year partnership Sep 1 2026, reported Sep 2, to push lesser-known Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao destinations and onboard small provincial operators.
Cover image: a turquoise lagoon and limestone cliffs in Palawan Philippines with a boat — photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) and travel platform Klook renewed their memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in a report published 2 September via Interaksyon, to push lesser-known destinations across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and bring more provincial operators online. The multi-year strategic partnership aims to grow both domestic travel and inbound discovery by pairing DOT regional offices with Klook’s global marketing network and joint promotional campaigns.
What the renewed DOT-Klook deal covers
The renewal was framed as a scale-up rather than a pilot. The two sides will work with regional tourism offices to identify emerging destinations and curate activities that showcase local culture, nature and food. The platform will provide onboarding, listing standardisation and exposure to overseas travellers searching for niche experiences, while DOT provides destination validation and regional coordination.
Key elements highlighted in the 2 September report include joint promo drives, hand-picked activities and place marketing that foregrounds community-based products. Small and micro operators, often family-run boats, guides and homestays, are the explicit target for digital onboarding, addressing a long-standing gap where quality local supply exists but is invisible to foreign travellers.
Why hidden gems and provincial supply matter now
The Philippines is balancing volume with dispersal. Popular gateways like Manila, Cebu and Boracay drive arrivals, but growth is most sustainable when secondary provinces capture a share. That is the rationale for spotlighting Luzon highlands, Visayas islands beyond Cebu and Mindanao nature destinations, where infrastructure has improved but online bookability lags.
For Indian travellers, the timing is useful. Interest in the Philippines has risen alongside clearer guidance on Philippines visa for Indians, best time to visit the Philippines and is Philippines safe to visit. A stronger Klook shelf for provincial tours could make it easier to book island-hopping, highland treks and community tours without relying solely on Manila-based operators.
What changes for travellers booking this autumn
In the near term, travellers should expect more Klook listings for provincial experiences with standardised pricing, availability and cancellations, plus bundled transport and activity options. The partnership does not set a quota for new listings, but the multi-year framing suggests steady additions rather than a one-off campaign.
For trip planning from September onward, the practical effect is more choice outside the usual circuits. Examples include Palawan lagoons, Siargao surf breaks, Bohol countryside and northern Luzon highlands where local guides are being onboarded. Travellers benefit from verified reviews, instant confirmation and unified customer support, compared with informal social-media booking.
How this fits DOT’s broader marketing push
The renewal follows the DOT’s January 2025 partnership to promote the Philippine Experience Program and digitalise tourism products. The new memorandum extends that digitalisation agenda deeper into provinces, pairing product development with marketing spend. For Klook, which already distributes a wide Philippines catalogue, the deal adds official destination endorsement and regional priority setting.
No new visa rule was attached to this announcement. Visa questions for Indian passport holders remain governed by the 14-day and 30-day visa-free conditions detailed in our Philippines visa guide for Indians, which also covers eTravel registration and entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Philippines DOT and Klook agree on Sep 1 2026?
They renewed their memorandum of understanding on 1 September 2026 for a multi-year strategic partnership to grow Philippine tourism. The deal focuses on bringing more local operators, especially small provincial businesses in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, into Klook’s online booking system and promoting hidden-gem destinations.
Which destinations will the partnership promote?
The focus is lesser-known and emerging destinations across the three island groups, rather than just Manila, Cebu or Boracay. Joint marketing will highlight provincial activities, community-based tours and curated experiences that are often hard to find on global platforms.
How will small operators benefit?
The plan includes digital onboarding, training and joint promotions with DOT regional offices. Small operators will gain access to Klook’s global marketing network, standardised listing tools and exposure to foreign markets seeking niche experiences.
Is this a new partnership or a renewal?
It is a renewal. The two sides first partnered in January last year to promote the Philippine Experience Program and digitalise tourism. The new memorandum extends that work with a multi-year commitment and wider provincial coverage.
