Ifugao sets homestays; Du30 eyes it as next tourism hub

LAGAWE, Ifugao — Homestays may be the next trend in Ifugao, as the province gears up to become the Philippines' next top tourist hub.

Home of the breathtaking and world-renowned Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao is prepping up for what President Rodrigo Duterte eyes as one of the country's next tourism hubs, as relayed to the province by Presidential Adviser Francis Tolentino recently.

Ifugao tourism officer Roscoe Kalaw said the provincial government has launched a homestay drive, where residents are encouraged to accept tourists into their own homes, especially where there are no available accommodations. 

Ifugao was featured in a scene in Marvel Studio's blockbuster movie "Avengers: Infinity War" earlier this year, where the Banaue Rice Terraces was featured as sort of a retirement home for one of the movie's characters.

Ifugao is being eyed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the Philippines' next top tourism hub, as relayed to the province by Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino last week.

Prepping up, the provincial government has now set up a homestays program, where locals are encouraged to accommodate tourists in their own homes. (Photo by Indochina Productions)

"We are encouraging homeowners to convert and utilize their houses as homestay establishments,” Kalaw said in an interview during Ifugao's recent 52nd founding anniversary celebration. - PNA