DOT & LANDBANK Partner to Digitize Tourism Payments in Philippines
Landbank and DOT Partner to Digitize Tourism Payments and Streamline Procurement
Manila, Philippines – – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) have formalized a partnership aimed at modernizing the country’s tourism payment systems and accelerating procurement processes. The collaboration, signed on , seeks to enhance transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business within the Philippine tourism sector.
The partnership was formalized through two memoranda of agreement (MOA) led by Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina C. Frasco at the new DOT building in Makati City, according to a press release from Landbank.
A key component of the initiative is the adoption of Landbank’s Link.BizPortal, a digital payment system. This platform will allow commercial establishments and businesses nationwide to pay for DOT-related fees online, including accreditation costs, regulatory charges, penalties, and bidding documents. The system is described as “plug-and-play” and is expected to streamline administrative processes and reduce manual interventions.
“By streamlining payments and accelerating procurement processes, we aim to support the DOT in focusing even more on its core mission — promoting our country, empowering tourism enterprises and workers, and welcoming the world to our shores,” said Ortiz.
In addition to the Link.BizPortal, the DOT is also enrolling in the Government Purchase Card (GPC) Program. An initial rollout of the GPC will cover 16 regional directors nationwide. The GPC is designed to strengthen internal financial controls while expediting the procurement of essential goods and services for tourism operations.
Secretary Frasco expressed satisfaction with Landbank’s support, stating, “We are happy that Landbank has seen and supported the vision of the Department of Tourism.”
The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Landbank and the DOT. The move towards digitalization is intended to improve service quality and convenience for both travelers and businesses involved in the Philippine tourism industry. According to Travel And Tour World, the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance the tourism experience by streamlining processes and providing a more accessible system for handling tourism-related payments.
The collaboration also aims to drive tourism growth by making government services more accessible, and efficient. Visa and Landbank partnered in December 2025 to digitize government payments, enabling card acceptance for taxes, fees, and transport, potentially laying the groundwork for this expanded partnership with the DOT.
The DOT’s adoption of digital platforms is expected to create a seamless experience for stakeholders, improving service quality and making tourism services more convenient. The initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing the Philippines’ tourism infrastructure and supporting the country’s economic recovery through tourism.