IT?S A shame, really, that many well-traveled Filipinos know more about other countries than they do their own, making them the proverbial strangers in their own homeland.

One reason is cost, because traveling to some parts of the Philippines may indeed be more expensive than going to Hong Kong, Macau or Singapore. Another could be plain ignorance of where to go and how to get there.

Some might just need a little bit of convincing that they should know more about what makes the Philippines unique and why they should be proud to be called Filipino.

To address these concerns, the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa), the country?s biggest association of travel and tour operators, formulated ?fun, innovative and educational? tour packages to suit every budget, from as low as P100 a person for the Hop On/Hop Off Pasig Ferry Cruise to P8,999 a person for a three-day, two-night tour of the orchid farms, fruit stands and historical sites of Davao.

Enticing

Philtoa president Cesar Cruz says the tour packages are specifically designed to entice Filipinos to their own culture, and the accent is on ?experiencing? the places to be visited, not just look at them and take pictures.

This type of tour particularly appeals to young Filipinos who are eager to go out, spend and experience the world.

With the Kulinarya packages, for example, travelers will get to enjoy the desserts, pastries, homegrown delicacies, savory meals and the unique take on seafood of provinces known for their culinary heritage, such as Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan and Pampanga. These tours will just take a day ? eight hours ? and cost only between P1,850 and P2,500 a person for a minimum tour group of six.

For those who want to throw in a long drive, Philtoa has come up with Pack and Go Island Getaways featuring Banaue (P2,999 a person), Vigan (P3,390 a person), Puerto Galera (P3,500 each) and Bicol (P7,950 a person). The three-day, two-night package includes the use of air conditioned coaches/ferry as well as accommodation, breakfast and select activities.

New sights

For those looking to discover new sights within flying distance, Philtoa has its fly and go island getaways to Bacolod, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laoag and Palawan. Prices ranging from P6,800 to P8,999 include the roundtrip airfare, accommodation, breakfast, on-site transfers and tours.

Even those who are pressed for time have something to look forward to because Philtoa has prepared City Break packages.

These include the Manila Jeepney Experience for a guided tour of Manila (P500 each), the Binondo Culinary Walking Tour (P950 a person) and the Pasig Ferry Cruise (P100 each).

Cruz is optimistic that Filipinos will snap up these special tour packages to be featured during the 21st Philippine Travel Mart from September 3-5 at SM Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall because there is a palpable and growing desire among Filipinos to see and experience more of what the Philippines has to offer.

Last year, Philtoa members booked P45 million in sales, and Cruz is optimistic that the sales this year will easily top that level.

Providing a big boost, he says, is that lingering feeling of optimism with the start of the Aquino administration.

?The country has so much to offer in terms of tourism, and we are hoping that a lot of people will see the splendor of our culture by exploring local attractions. We are working together with the government to make it accessible to more Filipinos,? he says.