TPB members and staff posed in front of colorful Vintas in Sta. Cruz Island.
With the goal of promoting the Zamboanga Peninsula as a safe, sustainable, and ideal destination for travelers, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines hosted a familiarization tour for 27 TPB members in Zamboanga City and Isabela de Basilan from May 4 to 8, 2026, as part of the TPB Membership Program.
In Zamboanga City, famously known as Asia’s Latin City, participants embarked on a cultural and historical journey through some of the most iconic landmarks, including Fort Pilar Shrine, the National Museum, Zamboanga City Hall, Rainbow Mosque, the Barter Trade Center, Yakan Weaving Village, and Sadik Mosque. The group also visited Sta. Cruz Island, celebrated for its striking Pink Beach and flourishing mangrove sanctuary and recognized as an ecotourism destination where conservation and environmental stewardship are central to the visitor experience.
Prior to the tour, TPB organized a business-to-business (B2B) networking event at Palacio del Sur, providing TPB members and local tourism stakeholders with an opportunity to establish connections, explore potential partnerships, and showcase their products and services.
“Participating in familiarization tours is just one of the many privileges of being a TPB member,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. “Our members are part of a dynamic network that partners with us in shaping Philippine tourism, gaining access to market intelligence, brand-building support, valuable marketing and business opportunities, including networking and capacity-building programs. Through these, they experience the best of the Philippines while actively contributing to the growth of our tourism industry.”
Some TPB members inside the Grand Sadik Mosque.
An award-winning safe haven
In Isabela de Basilan, TPB members visited the Marang Marang Women’s Association of Basilan, which recently received the 2025 ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Award.
Banig weaving at Marang Marang floating cottages.
Members of the local community taught participants how to prepare oko-oko, a traditional dish made of rice cooked inside a sea urchin shell. Community members also introduced guests to the rhythms of the gong and kulitang, alongside the intricate craft of weaving vibrant banig mats.
The tour culminated on the pristine shores of Lampinigan Island, where participants were captivated by its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Complementing the cultural immersion were culinary experiences that introduced delegates to the local flavors, from Chavacano specialties, such as curacha and knickerbocker, to Muslim dishes, like satti and tiula itum, among others.
Pursuant to the Tourism Act of 2009 (R.A. 9593), which provides that the TPB shall be open to membership and activities related to Philippine tourism, the TPB Membership Program aims to provide marketing services and benefits to its members through various initiatives that promote, advocate for, and represent their interests for the sustainable development of both their businesses and the tourism industry as a whole. As of April 2026, the program has 328 members.
The program is open to Department of Tourism-accredited establishments and organizations.
Interested applicants may register at membership.tpb.gov.ph.
ABOUT TPB
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, mandated to market and promote the country both domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination. This is carried out through strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders, anchored on travel trade shows and business meetings. For more information, please visit www.tpb.gov.ph.
Reference:
Maria Vanessa Abellon
Acting Head
Media Relations and Communications Division
vanessa_abellon@tpb.gov.ph
