The Department of Tourism–Region III, in partnership with the Provincial Tourism Office and City Tourism Office of Tarlac, held the first-ever Lakbay-Likha: The Creative Tourism Experience Lab on September 14–15 at the Diwa ng Tarlac Conference Hall in Tarlac City.

Held in celebration of World Tourism Month and Philippine Creative Industries Month, the two-day workshop brought together provincial tourism officers and local artisans from the seven provinces of Central Luzon to explore ways of developing creative tourism products.

Facilitated by former DOT Director and concurrent TESDA Deputy Director General Nelly Nita Dillera, the workshop focused on identifying local creative assets, strengthening skills, and developing experiences that can be packaged and brought to the tourism market.

Each province presented a proposed Creative Tourism itinerary, which is set to be featured and offered at the North Luzon Travel Expo 2026 this November.

The presentations highlighted Central Luzon’s diverse creative traditions, including Aurora’s sabutan weaving, Bataan’s pulo handicrafts, Bulacan’s inukit na dayap, Pampanga’s lubenas parol, Nueva Ecija’s agritourism, Tarlac’s pottery, and Zambales’ art center.

The initiative underscores the growing shift toward experiential tourism, where visitors engage directly with local communities, learn from artisans, experience living traditions, and take part in creating something of their own.

Through Lakbay-Likha, DOT-3 seeks to transform the region’s creative heritage into immersive tourism experiences that visitors can learn from, co-create, and bring home.