Philippines DOT Launches Discover More to Love Digital Tourism Platform with 3,000 Travel Deals and Massive Discounts to Boost Domestic Travel and Strengthen Regional Economy

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A major domestic tourism acceleration initiative has been introduced by the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the launch of its new campaign Discover More to Love. The programme has been positioned as a strategic effort to boost internal travel demand while strengthening the participation of local tourism stakeholders across the Philippines.

The campaign has been supported through the rollout of a newly developed digital platform, created in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders nationwide. A centralised online system has been introduced to connect travellers with verified tourism offers, ensuring that accessibility, affordability, and authenticity are improved across domestic destinations.

The initiative has been formally unveiled during the opening ceremony of the Central Philippines Tourism Expo in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, on Friday, June 26, where key tourism stakeholders from across the country’s 18 regions were brought together.

Digital Travel Platform Designed to Expand Access to Affordable Tourism

A key structural component of the campaign has been the launch of a dedicated website functioning as a central repository for domestic tourism deals. Approximately 3,000 curated travel offers have been made available through the platform, covering accommodations, attractions, dining, tours, transportation, and wellness services.

Significant discounts of up to 70 percent off regular prices have been integrated into the system, enabling greater affordability for domestic travellers. The platform has been designed to address long-standing concerns regarding the cost of local travel compared to international tourism options.

Through this digital infrastructure, tourism enterprises in emerging destinations have been provided with improved visibility, allowing them to attract visitors throughout the year, including during traditionally low-demand travel periods. A more balanced distribution of tourist flows across regions has been supported through this model.

Public-Private Collaboration Reinforcing Tourism Ecosystem Development

The campaign has been developed through coordinated efforts between government institutions and private tourism stakeholders, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen public-private partnerships within the tourism sector.

The platform has been introduced as a shared ecosystem where tourism operators, business owners, and destination managers are able to showcase verified travel products. This structure has been designed to improve trust, reduce fragmentation in tourism marketing, and enhance consumer confidence in domestic travel transactions.

The initiative has also been positioned as a mechanism to stimulate regional economic activity by ensuring consistent bookings for tourism enterprises, thereby supporting job retention and economic stability across local communities.

Tourism Leadership Emphasises Affordability and Accessibility Goals

During the official launch, DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay highlighted that the platform has been developed to directly address affordability concerns linked to domestic travel. It has been explained that the system has been structured to provide travellers with more options while simultaneously assisting tourism enterprises in emerging destinations.

It has further been emphasised that tourism promotion strategies have been aligned with the goal of sustaining visitor flows throughout the year. By improving access to travel deals and promoting less-visited destinations, a more inclusive tourism distribution model has been encouraged.

The initiative has also been framed as part of a wider effort to encourage Filipino citizens to explore domestic destinations more actively, strengthening national tourism participation through more meaningful travel experiences.

Economic Impact Supported by Strong Domestic Tourism Spending Growth

According to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), domestic tourism expenditure reached P3.256 trillion in 2025. This figure has been recorded as a 2.98 percent increase compared to P3.162 trillion in 2024, indicating continued growth in internal travel spending.

This upward trend has been used to support the rationale for expanding digital tourism platforms and improving accessibility to travel services. A stronger domestic tourism base has been identified as a key driver of economic resilience, particularly for regional economies dependent on visitor spending.

The Discover More to Love campaign has therefore been aligned with national economic objectives aimed at sustaining tourism-driven employment, strengthening micro and small enterprises, and improving regional income distribution.

Fraud Prevention and Verified Travel Ecosystem Strengthened

A significant feature of the newly launched platform has been its role in addressing fraudulent travel deals commonly found across unverified online sources and third-party applications. All listed promotions have been validated through partner tourism stakeholders and accredited companies.

Through this verification mechanism, consumer protection has been enhanced, and trust in domestic tourism transactions has been reinforced. A safer digital booking environment has been prioritised, ensuring that travellers are exposed only to legitimate and officially approved offers.

This structured validation system has been positioned as an essential component of the DOT’s broader digital transformation strategy for the tourism sector.

Regional Participation and Stakeholder Support Reinforce Campaign Goals

Strong support has been expressed by regional tourism stakeholders, including the Laguna Tourism Council President and Enchanted Kingdom Chief Operating Officer Dr. Cynthia Mamon. The campaign has been recognised for strengthening nationwide tourism expositions and enhancing collaboration between public institutions and private enterprises.

It has been noted that the initiative supports national efforts to highlight the diversity of destinations across the Philippines, while reinforcing a shared sense of national pride. The importance of regional uniqueness, hospitality, and cultural identity has been emphasised as a central driver of tourism growth.

Campaign Anchored in National Branding Strategy

The Discover More to Love campaign has been anchored on the Department of Tourism’s broader national tourism brand Love the Philippines. Through this alignment, a consistent messaging framework has been maintained across all promotional activities.

The campaign has been structured to ensure that compelling cultural narratives, unique destination experiences, and diverse regional identities are effectively communicated to domestic travellers. A stronger emotional connection between Filipino citizens and local destinations has been encouraged through experience-based travel storytelling.

Conclusion: Digital Tourism Expansion Strengthens Domestic Travel Ecosystem

The launch of Discover More to Love has marked a significant step in the evolution of domestic tourism strategy in the Philippines. Through the integration of a centralised digital platform, large-scale travel deals, and verified promotional systems, domestic tourism has been repositioned as a more accessible and structured ecosystem.

With strong public-private collaboration and increasing domestic tourism expenditure, the campaign has been established as a key driver for regional economic support and sustainable tourism development. The initiative has been positioned to strengthen local economies, improve travel accessibility, and encourage wider exploration of the country’s diverse destinations.