PH eyed as ‘faith tourism’ mecca

THE Philippines’ diversely- rich religious culture provides a strong catalyst for “faith tourism,” which a promising niche of this country’s booming tourism industry, said Department of Tourism ( DoT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo.

“The Philippines is an ideal destination of religious pilgrimage, not only for sight-seeing but to actually experience time-honored Filipino traditions dating back to pre-Spanish era, and then the Christianization,” Teo said after attending Iloilo’s Dinagyang and Sinulog in Cebu over the weekend.

The Visayan region’s two major religious festivities showed the country’s potentials of drawing more international visitors, who seek to personally witness and experience the country’s unique traditions, particularly Filipinos’ veneration and devotion to Jesus Christ.

“Plans are underway to make the Philippines a destination with will attract millions of pilgrims from all corners of the world, as shown in popular religious festivities in Cebu, Iloilo, and Bohol,” added Teo.

She also said the DoT will propose a budget for the restoration and development of historical shrines and old churches all over the country, which serve as tourist attractions.

The proposed project will be part of preparations for 2021 commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu, marking the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines.