250 tourists from US to visit Northern Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Around 250 residents of the United States will join a tour that will be held for the first time in the Northern Mindanao region.

Composed of a mix of Filipino-Americans and resident Americans, they would visit the province of Bukidnon, as well as the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, during the 15th Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour.

The guests will “immerse in the culture of the indigenous people of Malaybalay (in Bukidnon), as well as the Maranao customs and traditions and culinary arts.”

Also included in the tour is Bacolod City in the Western Visayas region, famous for grilled or inasal chicken.

Young guests will also be able to experience the night life during their visit in Manila.

The tour was organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine embassy in Washington, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board and implemented by Rajah Tours Corp.

In its 15 years, the program has generated tourism receipts estimated at $50 million or P2.5 billion, according to Rajah Tours.

In a statement, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said he encouraged the young generation of Filipino-Americans to “come and visit the Philippines for adventure.”

Rajah Tours noted the DOT’s campaign “Love the Philippines” has “roused the interest of the US market to choose the Philippines as a destination in Asia.”

The DOT previously launched the Philippine Experience Program, a heritage, arts and culture caravan that featured Cagayan de Oro City and the province of Bukidnon.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco declared that Mindanao “is ready for tourism, ready to welcome the world to its beautiful lands, its wonderful shores and to share the bounty that is so abundant here.”