MANILA -- Big discounts and great deals from airlines, accommodation establishments, tour operators, and travel agencies await Balikbayans who will come home to the Philippines this season as the Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the balikan.ph website-- a one-stop site for Balikbayan-exclusive promos with as much as 50 percent discount on hotel and resort rates and worry-free, value-for-money vacation packages.  

The Balikan.ph website is under the “Balikan ang Pilipinas” campaign of the DOT to encourage Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to come home for the holiday season and rediscover the Philippines with their loved ones. 

“Through the balikan.ph website, we can offer great travel deals from airlines and DOT-accredited hotels, resorts, and tour operators to our Balikbayans and their families. This is one way to make their visit here more affordable and fun, especially after a long separation caused by the pandemic,” said Puyat. 

The balikan.ph page serves as an aggregator of information where different travel promotions and packages are posted for the consumption of returning Balikbayans. The posts will lead them to the merchant’s websites for the specifics of the deals and discounts. The offers have been curated in cooperation with the various airlines, DOT-accredited establishments, the Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc. (PHLTOA), the Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. (PHOA), and the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International Inc. (HSMA).

Balikbayans are encouraged to regularly check the site for updated list and details of travel deals. The campaign will run until March 2022. (DOT)