Philippine Department of Tourism distributes kits to Eastern Visayan homestay operators

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) distributed hospitality kits to homestay operators in the Eastern Visayan province of Biliran on Tuesday, 5th November.

These kits include items that can make homestay operators’ homes more appealing and comfortable for both foreign and local guests. 

The homestay kit contains towels, linen, pillows, and blankets for use in rooms that they offer to tourists availing of their accommodation facilities.

A total of 29 beneficiaries received the kits: 18 from Higatangan Island in Naval, while 11 were from the island town of Maripipi. 

All beneficiaries completed the seven-day homestay training provided by the DOT in March of this year.

Emergent destinations

Higatangan Island and the town of Maripipi are both emerging tourist destinations in the region and the newest addition to the cruise destinations in the region. 

Higatangan is known for its shifting sandbar, while Maripipi is popular for its Sambawan Island.

There are accommodation facilities operating in these two areas, but the number and their room capacity are not enough to cater to the increasing number of guests.

Offering homestays allows guests to immerse themselves in the local culture, traditions, and way of life, giving them an authentic experience while staying in the home of the homestay operators.