Khiri Travel, a prominent destination management company (DMC) known for crafting authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive travel experiences across Asia, has added the Philippines to its growing portfolio. This expansion comes through the acquisition of Travel Authentic Philippines (TAP), a well-established local operator renowned for its commitment to responsible and community-based tourism. With this move, the Philippines becomes Khiri Travel’s ninth Asian destination, joining a diverse collection that includes Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Myanmar.
This acquisition underscores Khiri Travel’s dedication to broadening its reach while remaining steadfast in its core values of sustainability, cultural authenticity, and responsible travel. The Philippines, with its breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich heritage, presents a compelling opportunity for travelers seeking enriching experiences. By integrating TAP’s local expertise with Khiri Travel’s global presence, this new venture aims to deliver high-quality, immersive experiences that positively impact local communities and the environment.
Paulette Viacrucis, the former Country Manager for Travel Authentic Philippines, will continue in her role as Country Manager for Khiri Travel Philippines. Her deep understanding of the Philippine tourism sector and commitment to promoting responsible and authentic travel make her an invaluable asset. She will be joined by Stuart Tayler, who will spearhead the development and enhancement of Khiri Travel’s product offerings from their Cebu City office.
Khiri Travel’s primary focus in the Philippines will be to cater to the diverse needs of its global tour operator clients, including specialists in educational travel, adventure tourism, luxury vacations, and individualized travel experiences. Viacrucis and Tayler will collaborate to expand and refine the range of travel products available, ensuring the Philippines becomes an irresistible destination for Khiri Travel’s clientele.
Khiri Travel has earned a strong reputation for crafting travel experiences that are not only immersive and original but also prioritize the pillars of community, culture, conservation, and sustainable profitability. In alignment with these values, Khiri Travel Philippines will offer travel packages that go beyond the typical tourist experience. “We aim to ensure the Philippine experience for our guests is authentic, original, and innovative, with a keen eye for community, culture, conservation, and sustainable profitability,” said Willem Niemeijer, founder and CEO of Khiri Travel.
As a 31-year-old DMC with its head office in Bangkok, Khiri Travel has made a name for itself by creating unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences that highlight the cultural and natural diversity of the destinations it operates in. The acquisition of Travel Authentic Philippines aligns perfectly with these goals, as TAP has long been a champion of promoting non-traditional tourist destinations within the Philippines. By steering travelers away from crowded, over-commercialized areas, Khiri Travel Philippines will offer a variety of themed tours and experiences, including island-hopping adventures, indigenous culture explorations, heritage architecture tours, homestays, and general sightseeing that fosters meaningful engagement with local communities.
A central element of Khiri Travel Philippines’ strategy is ensuring that tourism benefits local communities in a sustainable and responsible manner. This aligns with Khiri Travel’s overarching philosophy of promoting travel that creates positive social, environmental, and economic impacts. Travelers with Khiri Travel Philippines will have the opportunity to give back to local communities through various projects and initiatives. This includes supporting the indigenous Tagbanwa and Ifugao peoples, among others, which will help preserve their culture and way of life. By engaging with these communities through carefully curated tourism programs, Khiri Travel will ensure that both travelers and the local people benefit from the experience.
Joey Gaston, co-founder of Travel Authentic Philippines and now a board member of Khiri Travel Philippines, emphasized the ongoing commitment to promoting tourism to lesser-known areas of the country. “That founding principle and objective remains,” said Gaston. “Indeed, Khiri Travel Philippines will offer immersive and responsible travel experiences that highlight the beauty of our wonderful archipelago. We will do this while ensuring sustainable benefits for both the environment and local communities.”
As Khiri Travel Philippines undergoes rebranding, the company aims to position the Philippines as a leading destination for responsible and eco-friendly tourism in Asia. With its focus on sustainability, the company will implement systems and processes that align with Khiri Travel’s global operations, ensuring efficiency while maintaining the local authenticity that TAP was known for.
Frans Betgem, co-founder of Travel Authentic Philippines, expressed confidence that the transition to Khiri Travel branding would further enhance the company’s ability to serve clients. “With Khiri Travel branding and systems in place, our Cebu team will be able to deploy their intimate knowledge of the Philippines as a destination more efficiently,” said Betgem.
In addition to exploration tours in almost all the major areas of the Philippines, Khiri Travel Philippines will feature specialty tours that cater to niche markets, including ecotourism, adventure travel, and cultural immersion. These tours are designed to showcase the Philippines’ unique biodiversity, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming communities, while minimizing the environmental impact of tourism activities.
The launch of Khiri Travel Philippines comes at an opportune time, with the company set to showcase its new products and offerings at major global travel events. Members of the Khiri Travel Philippines management team will attend the pan-Asian Khiri Management Forum in Bali from September 12 to 14, where they will discuss strategies for integrating sustainable tourism practices across Khiri’s destinations. Additionally, Khiri Travel Philippines will play a prominent role in the company’s promotions at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London this November. WTM is one of the largest and most influential travel trade shows in the world, attracting thousands of industry professionals, travel agents, and media representatives. Khiri Travel’s participation in this event will give them the opportunity to introduce their Philippines offerings to a global audience, highlighting the country as a must-visit destination for sustainable and immersive travel experiences.
With Khiri Travel’s entry into the Philippines, the company is poised to become a key player in the country’s tourism sector. By combining TAP’s local expertise with Khiri Travel’s global reach and sustainable travel ethos, the company will offer one-of-a-kind experiences that showcase the beauty and diversity of the Philippine archipelago. As the demand for eco-friendly and responsible travel continues to grow, Khiri Travel Philippines is well-positioned to meet the needs of travelers looking for authentic, culturally immersive, and sustainable experiences. With its focus on non-traditional destinations, support for local communities, and commitment to conservation, Khiri Travel Philippines is set to offer a new and exciting way to explore the Philippines while leaving a positive impact on the environment and the people who call it home.
