Philippines Tourism Department promotes lesser-known beaches to diversify visitor flow

The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) has identified seven lesser-known coastal destinations as part of a strategy to encourage travelers to venture beyond heavily trafficked areas like Boracay and Palawan. By showcasing sites such as Bantayan Island in Cebu and Kalanggaman Island in Leyte, the department aims to distribute the economic impact of tourism more broadly across the archipelago.

Logistically, these locations vary in accessibility, often requiring multi-modal transport including regional flights, land transfers, and local ferry services. The DOT emphasizes that these regions offer a different travel experience, characterized by quieter environments and stricter regulation compared to the country’s primary resort hubs.

Some of these destinations, such as Kalanggaman Island, enforce strict daily visitor caps to preserve environmental integrity. This approach reflects an ongoing shift in the Philippines’ tourism management to balance growth with the preservation of natural assets in remote provinces.