CBCP to DOT: Promote ‘faith tourism’ too

FILE: Hundreds of devotees attend the mass in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene outside the Quiapo Church in Manila on Monday (Jan. 9, 2023). The Traslacion (transfer) was canceled for the third straight year but their devotion to the Black Nazarene never wavered. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday called on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to also promote “faith tourism” in the country, following the recent launch of its new slogan “Love The Philippines”.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (ECPA) executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said it is also fitting to include churches in the promotion of the country’s natural resources and beautiful sceneries to tourists.

“Faith tourism is immediately seen here as an instrument of our beautiful churches, these churches are pilgrimage sights, very exquisite, exotic. It’s really a reflection of the religiosity of Filipinos, they can visit them, whether locals or foreigners pilgrims,” the Catholic priest said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

At the same time, Secillano supported the new slogan as it would help promote the country and eventually entice international tourists.

“Our country is very beautiful and we really need to tell other people to come because this country of ours is a very beautiful country,” he said.

“Our country really caters to our brothers and sisters, even those outside of our own shores,” the CBCP-ECPA official added.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts reported that the country has 128 churches designated as “National Cultural Treasures”, “Important Cultural Properties”, and “National Historical Landmarks”.

The “Love The Philippines” tourism slogan was launched in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the Tourism Department.

The new slogan replaced the previous slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” which was first launched as a tourism campaign by the administration of the late former president Benigno Aquino III and was retained under the term of his successor Rodrigo Duterte.