The Department of Tourism (DOT) is confident of attracting more tourists to Eastern Visayas through the newly launched One Visayas Tourism Circuit linking key destinations among islands.
DOT-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said on Tuesday that nine destinations in the region have been included in the three initial circuits unveiled on Sept. 6, 2025.
These three circuits are UNESCO heritage and gastronomy trails, dive expeditions, and heritage and cultural discoveries.
“These circuits aim to strengthen sustainable travel routes and partnerships across the Visayas, offering travelers a seamless journey through the region’s rich culture, history, cuisine, and natural wonders,” Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.
Under the UNESCO heritage and gastronomy trails, guests will arrive in this city through the Iloilo-Tacloban flight on the third day of their seven-day tour in the Visayas.
Places to be visited on the fourth day are the Sohoton Caves and Natural Park, “banig” (mat) weaving in Basey Samar, Secret Kitchens of Samar, and San Juanico Bridge through a night cruise with dinner.
On the fifth day, guests will enjoy the Ulot River Torpedo Boat Ride in Paranas, Samar, before heading to Cebu through the Tacloban-Cebu flight.
The site offers a thrilling water experience on one of the longest rivers in the Philippines.
“In the river, guests ride in a narrow motorized canoe called a torpedo boat, which expertly navigates through rapids and tight turns, providing an adrenaline-pumping journey. This adventure not only provides a unique thrill but also supports the local community, as the ride is managed by a group of former loggers who now work to protect the river and its surroundings,” Tiopes added.
Under the dive expedition, after exploring Western and Central Visayas, guests will arrive in Bato, Leyte, on their sixth day through the Bohol-Leyte roll-on/roll-off trip.
In Southern Leyte, guests will dive in Sogod Bay and Limasawa Island on the seventh and eighth days of the tour before flying back to Manila.
Sogod Bay is a hidden gem for divers, offering a remarkable blend of large pelagic life and intricate macro critters, while Limasawa Island is known for its pristine marine sanctuaries and dramatic wall dives, that are home to an impressive range of marine life.
For the heritage and cultural discoveries, guests will arrive at the Tacloban Airport from Iloilo on the sixth day of their Visayas tour to spend a night in Baybay City, Leyte.
In Baybay City, tourists will visit the Sea of Clouds, an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that awaits early risers at the highlands. As the sun ascends, it illuminates a vast blanket of clouds nestled in the valleys below, creating a dreamlike landscape that makes the surrounding hills appear to float above an ethereal sea.
On the last day, they will explore the Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Tacloban City before heading back to Manila.
“The Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum is a remarkable building celebrated for its opulent architecture and extensive collection of art and antiques. Visitors can explore a series of elaborately themed rooms, each showcasing luxurious furnishings, fine art, and cultural artifacts from both the Philippines and around the world,” Tiopes said.
The DOT launched the One Visayas Tourism Circuit after a series of consultations with tourism officials and tour operators from the three regions as part of the “One Visayas” initiative. (PNA)
