Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay met recently with global payments technology company Mastercard and its country manger, Mr. Jason Crasto, to further push for a more digitally empowered tourism sector.
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to position tourism as a vital engine of inclusive economic growth, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Mastercard are actively driving digital and experiential initiatives to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized that this ongoing three-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement aims to foster regional development by equipping local communities and smaller tourism players with digital and cashless technologies.
Through merchant-driven activations under this initiative, the partnership has already successfully generated over ₱6.3 million in sales, directly benefiting local businesses offering travel, dining, and cultural experiences.
To support these efforts with data, the DOT is utilizing Mastercard’s “Destinations by SpendingPulse” platform. This tool leverages aggregated, anonymous spending analytics to help the DOT track real-time tourist behavior, allowing the department to identify emerging markets and direct consumer demand toward underserved provincial destinations where communities require support the most.
Furthermore, local operators, artisans, and restaurants across Metro Manila, Baguio, Bohol, Bicol, and Ilocos are being integrated into the Mastercard Priceless Program. This global platform markets exclusive, curated cultural and culinary travel experiences directly to international and domestic cardholders, expanding the market reach of small businesses and creating critical economic opportunities.
Through this strategic public-private collaboration, the DOT continues to ensure that the economic benefits of a thriving, digitally enabled tourism industry reach the local communities and small businesses that form the back.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay met recently with global payments technology company Mastercard and its country manger, Mr. Jason Crasto, to further push for a more digitally empowered tourism sector.
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to position tourism as a vital engine of inclusive economic growth, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Mastercard are actively driving digital and experiential initiatives to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized that this ongoing three-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement aims to foster regional development by equipping local communities and smaller tourism players with digital and cashless technologies.
Through merchant-driven activations under this initiative, the partnership has already successfully generated over ₱6.3 million in sales, directly benefiting local businesses offering travel, dining, and cultural experiences.
To support these efforts with data, the DOT is utilizing Mastercard’s “Destinations by SpendingPulse” platform. This tool leverages aggregated, anonymous spending analytics to help the DOT track real-time tourist behavior, allowing the department to identify emerging markets and direct consumer demand toward underserved provincial destinations where communities require support the most.
Furthermore, local operators, artisans, and restaurants across Metro Manila, Baguio, Bohol, Bicol, and Ilocos are being integrated into the Mastercard Priceless Program. This global platform markets exclusive, curated cultural and culinary travel experiences directly to international and domestic cardholders, expanding the market reach of small businesses and creating critical economic opportunities.
Through this strategic public-private collaboration, the DOT continues to ensure that the economic benefits of a thriving, digitally enabled tourism industry reach the local communities and small businesses that form the back.
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