The first-ever Philippine Golf Experience has officially kicked off at the scenic golf course in Clark, Pampanga, one of the country’s emerging golf and leisure hubs.
The Philippine Golf Experience is a pioneering initiative of the Department of Tourism (DOT) designed to showcase the country as a premier golf destination.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the ceremonial tee-off at the Mimosa Plus Golf Course.
“For many years, it has been a long-held desire to bring golf and tourism together in a way that truly unlocks their potential.”
“For many years, it has been a long-held desire to bring golf and tourism together in a way that truly unlocks their potential. We have always known that the Philippines—with its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality—together with more than a hundred world-class quality golf courses across our islands, has all the makings of a world-class golf destination. What was needed was a deliberate effort to place golf within our broader national strategy, not only as a sport, but as an experience that brings together play, culture, as well as community, ” Frasco emphasized during the launch.
The tourism chief said that under the Marcos Administration, the DOT pivoted to an innovative approach that not only counts the country’s tourist arrivals but also puts a premium on measuring the value of tourist offerings.
“Tourism, after all, is not only about how many people have arrived, but rather about how many livelihoods it sustains, how many enterprises it strengthens, and how deep the pride of place it nurtures across our communities.”
“Tourism, after all, is not only about how many people have arrived, but rather about how many livelihoods it sustains, how many enterprises it strengthens, and how deep the pride of place it nurtures across our communities. Golf captures this most beautifully—for when done sustainably, golf is a high-value, low-impact form of tourism that draws travelers to stay longer, spend more, and engage more deeply with our destinations, not to mention come back again and again,” the tourism head noted.
She described that the launch of GolfEx in Clark “is no coincidence” as the emerging leisure golf and leisure hub now has a world-class international airport and facilities.
Frasco was joined by Senator Lito Lapid, members of the Diplomatic Corps, including Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino of the Embassy of Malaysia, Ambassador Thai Binh Lai of the Embassy of Vietnam, Ambassador Marielle Geraedts of the Embassy of Netherlands, Clark Development Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Atty. Agnes Devanadera, Filinvest Hospitality Corporation Senior Vice President Francis Gotianun, and other golf delegates from the tourism and business sectors.
“As we tee off for GolfEx today, we also advance a stronger and more integrated partnership among our tourism stakeholders as we expand our reach to our source markets and opportunity markets, and position the Philippines not only as a Tropical Haven, but truly as a premier golfing destination,” she stressed.
Also joining the kick-off event are Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) Founder and Chairman Michelle Taylan, Tourism Congress of the Philippines President (TCP) James Montenegro, and DOT Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and Ferdinand Jumapao, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, Assistant Secretaries Judilyn Quiachon and Ronald Conopio, Director for Golf Tourism Lyle Uy, DOT-3 Regional Director Richard Daenos, and other officials of the DOT Central and Regional Offices.
The event highlights golf lessons and a tournament among the delegates with the goal to ignite their passion for golf as a sport and allowing them to experience the country’s world-class golf facilities and scenic courses.
GolfEx is modeled after the DOT’s Philippine Experience Program: Heritage, Culture, and Arts Caravans (PEP), leveraging its immersive and experiential approach to tourism promotion.
