Benguet: La Diyang Haven in Tuba, Benguet, once a solitary eco-tourism attraction, is now part of a collective effort to enhance tourism in the region, thanks to an initiative led by the Department of Tourism-Cordillera (DOT-CAR). This initiative encourages the development of more village destinations to provide visitors with a serene escape into nature.
According to Philippines News Agency, the focus on “loop tourism” is allowing visitors to engage in various activities and experiences, benefiting multiple communities in the process. Cristina Tolero, head of La Diyang Haven eco-tourism village, emphasized the importance of this holistic approach, stating that it not only enriches the visitor experience but also spreads the economic benefits across different villages by sharing cultural practices.
Visitors to these destinations can immerse themselves in nature, partake in meals featuring naturally grown produce, and enjoy traditional dishes like ‘watwat’ and pinuneg (blood sausage) of the Ibaloi tribe. Cultural presentations by Ibaloi dancers in traditional attire are also part of the scheduled tourist experiences.
Tolero mentioned that participating in the Best Tourism Village search motivates the community to continuously enhance their offerings. Winning the competition provides additional funds for further development of their tourism infrastructure.
Jovita Ganongan, DOT-CAR Regional Director, expressed satisfaction with the increasing acceptance of tourism among local villagers. The search for “The Best Tourism Village” is a catalyst for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to showcase their unique cultural and natural heritage to a broader audience. She highlighted the necessity of community readiness to welcome tourists, which is crucial for sustainable tourism development.
Ganongan explained that the DOT-CAR-organized “Best Tourism Village” award aims to transform communities into tourist destinations by offering technical assistance and a prize of PHP1 million for the top village. This prize is intended to support environmentally sustainable and community-participatory projects.
The number of villages participating in the search has grown significantly, from 12 in 2023 to 19 in 2024. The 2025 search has already been announced, with a deadline for entries in June 2025, and organizers hope for even greater participation.
The judges of the competition evaluate each village based on their operational excellence, offerings, sustainability, and community benefits, each accounting for 25% of the total score. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines tourism villages as rural destinations that preserve cultural and natural assets while promoting innovation and sustainability in economic, social, and environmental aspects.
