Melo Villareal
Cotabato City is set to take center stage in Philippine tourism as the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines brings the 18th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from August 14 to 16, 2026.
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque of Cotabato
(Photo by the Department of Tourism)
The three-day event will be held at the Alnor Hotel and Convention Center, bringing together tourism businesses, buyers, industry partners, government agencies, and travelers as BARMM moves forward with its long-term tourism development plans.
As the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), TPB is positioning this year’s second RTF as more than a traditional travel trade event. It is designed to connect tourism enterprises and communities with new markets while highlighting the cultural, historical, and natural attractions of the Bangsamoro region.
“Beyond traditional business matchmaking, the RTF serves as a platform for buyers, sellers, and travelers to discover more reasons to love the Philippines while opening opportunities for long-term partnerships,” said TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
A Meeting Place for Tourism Buyers and Sellers
The RTF will officially open with a business-to-business (B2B) session on August 14, bringing together 42 buyers and 52 sellers and exhibitors.
The B2B meetings will give participating tourism enterprises an opportunity to showcase their destinations, accommodations, travel packages, and other tourism products directly to potential partners. The goal is to develop business relationships and generate travel bookings that can continue beyond the three-day event.
For the traveling public, the RTF will open its doors through a business-to-consumer (B2C) session on August 15 and 16.
Visitors can look forward to special offers on domestic travel packages, airline tickets, accommodations, and other tourism products. The public-facing program will also feature interactive activities and showcases highlighting destinations and tourism experiences from across the country.
Participating DOT regional offices and attached agencies will join BARMM tourism stakeholders, local government units, and industry partners in presenting the diverse tourism offerings available to Filipino travelers.
Discovering Cotabato City’s Cultural Heritage
The Regional Travel Fair also provides an opportunity for invited buyers, sellers, and members of the media to experience Cotabato City and nearby destinations through curated familiarization tours.
The itinerary will include visits to some of the area’s notable cultural and tourism attractions, including the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, Bangsamoro Museum, Al Jamelah Weaving Center, and Illana Bay Beach Resort.
These destinations offer visitors a closer look at the region’s Islamic heritage, traditional craftsmanship, history, and living cultural traditions.
For travelers looking beyond conventional beach destinations, Cotabato City and BARMM offer a different perspective on Mindanao—one shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, diverse communities, indigenous traditions, and distinctive local experiences.
Supporting BARMM’s Tourism Development Goals
The Cotabato City edition of the RTF comes at a critical juncture in BARMM’s tourism development. The region is currently advancing the BARMM Tourism Development Plan 2025–2033, which outlines long-term strategies to strengthen the tourism industry and increase its contribution to local economies.
The plan provides a framework for developing tourism while creating opportunities for communities and local enterprises to benefit from increased visitor arrivals and tourism spending.
Against this backdrop, the 18th Regional Travel Fair serves as a platform for connecting BARMM’s tourism products with a wider market.
Organized by TPB in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, BARMM Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism, and the City Government of Cotabato City, the event aims to expand market access for tourism enterprises throughout the region.
More importantly, it highlights how the area’s cultural heritage and natural attractions can drive sustainable tourism and economic opportunities for local communities.
Why the Cotabato City RTF Matters
The 18th Regional Travel Fair comes at a time when travelers are increasingly looking for destinations that offer meaningful cultural experiences alongside leisure and adventure.
For BARMM, the event provides an opportunity to introduce more travelers and tourism businesses to destinations that have traditionally received less exposure in the mainstream Philippine tourism market
By bringing together buyers, sellers, media, government representatives, and travelers, the RTF can help create stronger connections between tourism businesses and the markets they want to reach.
For visitors, meanwhile, the event offers a chance to discover new destinations, find travel deals, and gain a deeper appreciation of the history and culture of Cotabato City and the wider Bangsamoro region.
With the BARMM tourism roadmap extending to 2033, the Cotabato City RTF represents another step toward building a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry in the region.
For more information about the 18th Regional Travel Fair, visit the official RTF website at rtf.tpb.gov.ph.
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Read: Cotabato City Travel Guide
