Makati: Tourism businesses are set to receive training on content creation and promotion with the new strategic collaboration forged between TikTok Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT). The two parties formalized their partnership through a memorandum of agreement signed at the department’s office in Makati on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, under this collaboration, TikTok Philippines Public Policy Head Yves Gonzales stated that the firm will help equip tourism businesses with digital skills to promote their products and services online. The training, dubbed ‘educational sessions,’ will target small hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, travel agencies, and tourism groups, among others. Gonzales expressed confidence that the businesses will be able to grow and share their stories on the platform.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted that the cooperation will help amplify the country’s initiatives to showcase Philippine destinations and assist the DOT in promoting responsible travel among TikTok users. She emphasized that while technology evolves, the mission remains to uplift the lives of Filipinos and transform tourism into a sector that provides true community transformation.

The first round of TikTok educational sessions will be available to at least 50 DOT-accredited businesses. The DOT has begun identifying the trainees, and those interested in joining may express their intention to participate through the DOT’s regional office. DOT Assistant Secretary Sharlene-Batin noted that even non-accredited businesses that are part of the value chain can coordinate with regional offices to express their intention to join, with the TikTok team and DOT Central Office compiling the list of endorsed participants.