The 15th Regional Travel Fair (RTF), hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, concluded last week in Tuguegarao City, spotlighting the cultural heritage and natural landscapes of Northeastern Luzon.

Held from August 15 to 17, the event drew in tourism stakeholders, buyers, and local visitors. Business-to-business sessions paired 50 buyers with 53 sellers and exhibitors, while business-to-consumer activities offered discounted tour packages, flights, and accommodations. For local residents, the fair also meant cultural performances, interactive programs, and exposure to domestic travel opportunities within the region.

A Region of Hidden Heritage

For many, Tuguegarao serves as the gateway to Cagayan and its surrounding provinces. Tours arranged during the fair highlighted landmarks such as the Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center, the Horno Ruins, and the centuries-old St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral. These stops gave both visitors and tourism operators a closer look at the area’s layered history, from Spanish colonial structures to archaeological finds.

Outside the city, Cagayan’s diverse landscapes connect the plains of Luzon with the Cordilleras. The mix of valleys, rivers, and mountain routes has long shaped the way of life here, offering travelers the chance to explore both cultural and natural attractions in a single trip.

Travel’s Role in Well-Being

Organizers underscored how regional travel contributes to more than just economic gains. Studies from local universities have shown that access to green spaces, cultural activities, and slower-paced environments helps reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Short trips, even within one’s province, provide mental health benefits by breaking routine and encouraging new social connections.

Tuguegarao’s setting illustrates this. The quiet of its riverbanks, the familiarity of its food traditions, and the chance to step into centuries-old churches offer spaces of rest and reflection for visitors.

Getting There

Tuguegarao City is accessible by air and land. Daily flights from Manila connect to Tuguegarao Airport, making the trip less than two hours. Buses from Metro Manila and nearby provinces also provide routes, though travel takes between 10 and 12 hours. Inside the city, public transport ranges from tricycles to jeepneys, with vans available for regional destinations.

For travelers exploring beyond the city, roads link Tuguegarao to Banaue, Ilocos Norte, and Isabela, making it a practical hub for touring Northern Luzon.

Economic Benefits for Communities

Tourism in Cagayan is more than a matter of arrivals and statistics. The fair highlighted how local employment is tied to growing tourism opportunities. Vendors at the event included small businesses offering local crafts, food products, and guided tours. Each sale represents income for families and barangays that rely on weaving, farming, or cultural performances to supplement livelihoods.

In recent years, efforts to create sustainable employment have expanded, particularly in heritage preservation and eco-tourism. Local guides are trained to conduct tours of historical sites, while farmers have joined cooperative models that supply food for tourism events. This provides consistent demand that helps stabilize income.

Sustainability and Challenges

The RTF also brought attention to sustainability challenges. Concerns raised in other Philippine destinations—such as overdevelopment and environmental strain—remain relevant in Cagayan. Local officials emphasized stricter compliance in managing heritage and natural resources. Waste reduction programs, energy-efficient accommodations, and cultural preservation workshops were discussed as part of long-term planning.

Looking Forward

While the fair provided exposure to travelers and stakeholders, it also underlined the broader role of regional tourism in balancing economic growth with preservation. Tuguegarao City’s position as both a cultural center and travel hub gives it a distinct role in shaping domestic tourism in Northeastern Luzon.

For residents, the growth of tourism means more opportunities for sustainable employment and renewed pride in local traditions. For visitors, it offers an accessible way to engage with history, landscapes, and culture that remain rooted in community life.

The Regional Travel Fair showed that domestic tourism is not only about seeing new places—it is about how travel strengthens both people and communities.

By Jaja Agpalo