Philippines Launches IPON Tourism Program to Help Their OFWs Invest in the Tourism Ventures, Offering New Business Opportunities in Accommodation and Transport

Published on December 4, 2025

In a bid to provide Overseas Filipino Workers sustainable livelihood and further capacitate their involvement in the Philippine tourism industry, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched an initiative with the Department of Migrant Workers at the IPON Tourism program. The program shall provide returning workers with orderly ways to integrate them within the burgeoning tourism industry, giving them opportunities to invest and manage tourism-related activities serving as vehicles for economic growth.

The IPON Tourism Program: A Gateway for OFWs to Invest in Tourism

The key initiative, Investment in Philippine Opportunities for Nation’s Tourism (IPON Tourism), is part of the larger Balik Bayani sa Turismo (BBST) program, designed to help returning OFWs invest in and own businesses tied to the country’s booming tourism industry. Through this program, OFWs have access to opportunities across various sectors, including accommodation, transportation, logistics, and sales. These sectors are integral to the tourism value chain and provide diverse avenues for workers to participate in the industry.

Private Sector Partnerships Supporting OFWs in Tourism

Private sector partners such as Duty Free Philippines, Hotel 101 Global, Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (FastCat), DOON Transport Technologies Inc., and 2GO Express, Inc. are playing an active role in the program. They are offering OFWs hands-on experience, as well as opportunities to work within the tourism sector, either as mentors, investors, or small-business owners. This collaboration creates a dynamic environment where returning workers can capitalize on their skills and knowledge gained abroad to fuel local enterprises.

Skills Training and Livelihood Programs for OFWs

A significant component of the BBST initiative is the Tourism Livelihood Training program, which equips OFWs with practical skills to succeed in the tourism industry. The training focuses on areas such as homestay management, culinary arts, farm tourism, tour-guiding, and micro-retail, all of which align with the current needs and trends in the Philippines’ growing tourism market.

The Pilot Program’s Success and Expansion Across the Philippines

The pilot program launched in Pangasinan in August 2024 saw a strong turnout, with returning OFWs gaining essential knowledge to establish tourism-based livelihoods. The initiative’s success has paved the way for additional sessions in Isabela, Cebu, and Davao, set to take place in December 2024. These regional training sessions are expected to strengthen local economies, equip workers with industry-ready skills, and empower OFWs to tap into the full potential of the tourism sector.

Teach-It-Forward Program: OFWs as Mentors for the Next Generation

In addition to business investment opportunities, the Teach-it-Forward Program is another important part of the BBST initiative, allowing OFWs to mentor and share their expertise as resource speakers. This program recognizes the wealth of experience that OFWs bring from their time working abroad, particularly in sectors like customer service, hospitality, and management.

Collaborative Effort to Drive Sustainable Tourism and Economic Growth

Under the MOU, the DOT is responsible for providing the tourism opportunities, while the DMW ensures the endorsement of qualified OFWs for the program. Private partners present various business and investment options for OFWs, making it easier for returning workers to enter the tourism sector with the support of both government agencies and private industry. This public-private partnership is designed to generate lasting economic impact by focusing on inclusive growth, job creation, and regional development through tourism.

The Future of OFWs in the Tourism Industry: Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Contribution

The IPON Tourism program is poised to create a lasting legacy for OFWs, ensuring that their contributions to economic development continue even after their return to the Philippines. As tourism in the country continues to thrive, OFWs will play a critical role not only as tourists but as entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors, helping to further solidify the Philippines as a top-tier global tourism destination.

Enhancing the Role of OFWs in the National Economy

The program’s impact extends beyond tourism, contributing to broader economic growth in the Philippines. As OFWs engage in tourism-related businesses, they will create a multiplier effect on local economies. The increased participation of OFWs in tourism ventures supports job creation, drives demand for local goods and services, and helps reduce economic migration pressures by offering returning workers new opportunities at home.

Regional Development and Balanced Tourism Growth

By enabling international entry and exit at more provincial hubs, the policy also supports regional development priorities. When visitors can land closer to their chosen destinations—be it a coastal area, a heritage town or a nature reserve—tourism revenues flow more directly into local communities rather than concentrating only in major cities.

This helps diversify where tourism money is spent, supporting small and medium-sized tourism enterprises and encouraging local authorities to invest in infrastructure, destination management, and visitor services. Over time, broader access can also contribute to reducing pressure on already saturated hotspots by giving travellers more reasons to explore alternative regions.

Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Practices

The BBST program aligns with the broader goals of sustainable tourism by ensuring that OFWs are given the tools to create businesses that do not just drive profits but also prioritize social responsibility, local community engagement, and environmental preservation. By equipping OFWs with the skills, knowledge, and investment opportunities to establish sustainable tourism businesses, the program also plays a vital role in shaping the future of tourism in the Philippines—where economic growth and environmental preservation can go hand in hand.

Shaping the Future of Filipino Entrepreneurship and Tourism

The IPON Tourism program presents a strong model for entrepreneurship and tourism development. It has given meaning to how OFWs, perceived to be a source of remittances, could also be the drivers of local business innovation. This initiative has also brought to light the possibility of the Philippine tourism industry acting as a catalyst in stirring entrepreneurial spirit among Filipino workers. Going forward, this kind of inclusive growth is bound to feature as an integral part of the country’s long-term economic strategy in ensuring tourism acts as a vehicle for community empowerment and national prosperity. This will, therefore, open the door to a more viable and sustainable tourism sector in the Philippines through embracing the contributions of OFWs via the Balik Bayani sa Turismo initiative, offering lasting opportunities to those who have long served the country’s economy while abroad.