La Diyang Haven in Tuba, Benguet used to be a stand-alone eco-tourism destination that had been collaborating with nearby attractions for a holistic tourism experience.

But thanks to a search spearheaded by the Department of Tourism-Cordillera, more villages have become destinations, drawing visitors who want to experience tranquility from nature.

“We offer loop tourism service so that there will be more activities for the visitors and there will be more of us to benefit aside from sharing our practices,” Cristina Tolero, who heads the La Diyang Haven eco-tourism village, said in a conversation with the Philippine News Agency.

The collective destination now gives visitors an experience where they can commune with nature by walking through a virgin forest, munching on food growing from the ground and enjoy a “slow food” meal of fruits, vegetables, fish and livestock that are naturally grown.

“We can serve ‘watwat’ and the pinuneg (blood sausage) of the Ibaloi tribe of Benguet,” Tolero said.

Cultural presentations are also prepared for tourists whose visits are scheduled, showing the Ibaloi dancers garbed in their traditional attires.

Tolero said, “We always vie for the Best Tourism Village search because it makes us strive to continue to improve what we offer to tourists and by vying, we continue to sustain what we have started. If we win, we also have additional funds for development and improvement of our destination.”

DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan, meanwhile, said in a private message to the PNA: “We are happy that our villagers are accepting tourism and opening their places for the appreciation of tourists.”

She noted that DOT-CAR’s search for “The Best Tourism Village” is making even the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) more open to promoting the beauty of their places and their unique culture to the outside world.

She said that while there are several beautiful attractions in the six provinces and two cities of the region, inviting tourists to visit these places requires the readiness of the local residents.

She noted that sustainability requires community acceptance and willingness.

“The issue of acceptance and opening up is already addressed in the search because it is the community members themselves that come out and say they are ready to accept outsiders and show the beauty of their places,” Ganongan said.

She said that the DOT-CAR spearheaded and organized the “Best Tourism Village” award to help the communities make their areas tourist destinations.

“Aside from technical assistance, the prize money of PHP1 million for the first place will be used for programs, projects and activities geared towards an environmentally sound, sustainable and complete with community participation,” Ganongan said.

From about 12 villages during the first year in 2023, the 2024 search generated 19 competing villages.

“We have announced the 2025 search with the deadline in June 2025 hoping to receive more participation of village destinations,” the official said.

Standard for excellence

The judges spend time to visit each participating village, look into their operation, the offering, sustainability, and community benefits, which account for 25 percentage points each.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines tourism villages as rural tourism destinations with recognized cultural and natural assets that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyles and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all aspects of economic, social and environment. (PNA)