BASCO – With idyllic hillsides and windswept terrains set against the backdrop of a dreamy view of Mt. Iraya and the sea, Batanes province has long been at the top of most Filipinos’ travel bucket list. 

While situated in the country’s northernmost point, far from the mainland, and only accessible by plane,  the province aptly known as "Home of the Winds" has retained its charm that kept on drawing visitors despite the high travel cost.

But Batanes is also unique in a way that its Ivatan people are fiercely protective of the way of life here and at the same time unselfish and ever-ready to extend a warm welcome to visitors willing to discover their culture and the bucolic retreat the island has to offer.

At the recently concluded Philippine Experience Program (PEP), the Department of Tourism (DOT) flew close to 100 travel stakeholders and foreign diplomats— including the ambassadors of Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia— to Batanes to re-introduce its faceted tourism products from the stunning vistas atop the rolling hills to the Ivatan hospitality and heritage.

In a short but packed four-day itinerary from March 26 to 29, the PEP took the delegates to a south Batan nature and culture trip where they visited the iconic Honesty Coffee Shop and Castano Ruins in Ivana; the striking Alapad Rock Formation; and the National Museum of the Philippines-Batanes in Uyugan.

An apt itinerary for day one, tourists can pattern their trip to PEP and squeeze in a stop at Nakurang Viewpoint which offers visitors a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean, as well as the San Jose de Ivana and San Carlos Borromeo Churches.

PEP delegates on the second day took a 30-minute ride on the "faluwa", a specially-designed open-deck boat that the Ivatans traditionally use to travel through the rough sea going from Batan to Sabtang Island— a bumpy boat trip that in itself has become a popular experience for those visiting Batanes. 

After the Sabtang Port, the island offers a mix of nature and heritage-focused itineraries that travelers should not skip, including a stroll at the charming Chavatan Village and the Morong Beach, iconic for its inviting cove and natural rock arch formation.

At Chavatan, travelers can walk through the narrow streets lined with old stone houses and rent the traditional Ivatan gears, the Vakul headdress and Kanayi vests, that farmers wear as protection from sun and rain.

Souvenirs and local delicacies such as the Ivatan salted and sun-dried flying fish "pawpaw" are also sold in the village.

The best way to cap a four-day, three-night trip to the island, like with the PEP, is to explore the rest of northern Batan, where some of Batanes’ famous lighthouses perched on top of vivid green hilltops are located.

Travelers can embark on a long leisure drive in between the fields and the winding roads heading to the Dibtangan Du Mahatao Farm and the popular communal pasture Racuh A Payaman in Mahatao; the Valugan Boulder Bay in San Joaquin, where you can catch the magnificent view of Mt. Iraya; and the highlight of every Batanes trip -- sunset at the Basco Rollings Hills.

Batanes is part of the United Nations-recognized International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), the only one in the Philippines and one of very few in the world.

On the part of the DOT, Secretary Christina Frasco said the national government would ensure that Batanes remains a “timeless example of sustainable and responsible tourism”.

“Batanes is a leading example of sustainable tourism, where quality distinctly prevails over quantity— the province demonstrates how responsible tourism can preserve cultural authenticity, natural beauty, and community well-being,” Frasco said.

Beyond sceneries

Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino said Batanes, once flights increase, would certainly attract Malaysian travelers looking for a laidback trip and good food.

“There is a clear interest among Malaysians to visit new places— I think Batanes could be a good destination for them,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

“Aside from the amazing beauty, of course with the rich history and culture of Batanes, I think that would encourage Malaysians to visit Batanes,” he added.

The envoy also offered to assist in facilitating talks with AirAsia to add more flights to the island.

Similar to how Malaysians prepare their food in a clean and organic way, Castelino said Batanes can develop its Muslim-friendly food offerings to attract more tourists.

“I was served Halal food and I think there is a clear potential here. So, I think the connection between Malaysian and the Philippines can be to Halal tourism in Batanes,” he added.

Batanes has a medley of dishes sometimes served on "kabaya" or breadfruit leaves instead of the usual banana leaf wrappings.

It has the grilled "Dibang" or flying fish, the Ivatan dried pork adobo Luñis, and the freshest lobster dishes, all perfectly partnered with the light tasting Batanes turmeric rice.

Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh, meanwhile, said he has long heard that Batanes is a “destination of dreams” and found it was true when he finally visited through PEP.

“(It has) friendly people, wonderful food, rich history. Batanes is famous, but it is also still a hidden charm so we hope that we can bring more people from Vietnam and other countries to visit Batanes,” he said.

Sri Lankan Ambassador Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa and Indonesian Ambassador Agus Widjojo echoed the same description and expressed hopes that the island province can retain its unique charm. 

“I sincerely hope that Batanes will not lose its unique charm by over commercializing— it was a very pleasant surprise not having any traffic blocks, (there is) very easy charming life here,” said Talpahewa.

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Frasco emphasized that sustainability will always remain at the core of the DOT’s national tourism development programs, including in its promotion of Batanes as a destination.

“Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the goal is clear— to take the Philippines into this period of transformation where we open up the eyes of the world, not only from the lens of fun and adventure, of which we have much, but also from the lens of our culture, our heritage, the stories of our people, and the proud history of the people of the Philippines,” she said. (PNA)