The Philippines’ Department of Tourism and social media platform TikTok have teamed up to train local tourism entrepreneurs on content creation.
DOT officials and executives from TikTok Philippines formalised the partnership through the signing of a memorandum of agreement on Tuesday, 21st October, at the department’s head office in Makati City.
Through this collaboration, TikTok will help equip tourism businesses with digital skills to promote their products and services online.
The training will involve a series of educational sessions targeting small hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, travel agencies, and tourism groups.
The first round of the TikTok educational sessions will be opened to at least 50 DOT-accredited businesses.
The DOT said it has begun to identify the trainees, but those interested in joining may express their intention to participate through the DOT’s regional office near them.
Helping businesses grow
According to TikTok Philippines public policy head Yves Gonzales: “We are confident that they will be able to grow their business and tell their own stories on the platform.”
For her part, tourism secretary Christina Frasco said the cooperation will help amplify the country’s initiatives to showcase Philippine destinations and assist the DOT in promoting responsible travel among TikTok users as well as travellers.
Frasco said: “Technology may evolve, but our mission remains: to uplift the life of our fellow Filipinos, showcase the best of our country, and ensure that tourism graduates from being a mere leisure activity to one that provides true transformation for our communities. With TikTok, we're not just keeping pace with change; rather, we are reshaping how the world experiences and loves the Philippines.”
