Khiri Travel has added The Philippines to its destinations with the acquisition of Travel Authentic Philippines.

The Philippines becomes Khiri Travel’s ninth Asian destination, joining Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, and Myanmar.

Travel Authentic Philippines (TAP) Country Manager, Paulette Viacrucis, will retain her role with Khiri Travel Philippines. She will be supported by Stuart Tayler, who will lead the development and updating of product offerings from Khiri Travel’s office in Cebu City.

Khiri Travel’s priority is to ensure that its Philippine products satisfy the broad range of tour operator clients that it currently serves. These include specialist operators in sectors such as educational travel, adventure, luxury, as well as individual travellers.

“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, a 31-year old destination management company with its head office in Bangkok.

Frans Betgem, the co-founder of TAP, said that Khiri Travel Philippines would complete its rebranding this month.

“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,” he said.

Apart from exploration and insights in nearly all the main areas of The Philippines, Khiri Travel’s guests in the destination can expect themed tours such as island hopping, indigenous culture discoveries, architecture and heritage trips, home stays and general sightseeing.

There will be opportunities for giving back to Philippine communities through projects for the Tagbanwa and Ifugao peoples and others.

Joey Gaston, co-founder of TAP, and now a board member of Khiri Travel Philippines, said that the goal will be to continue promoting tourism to non-traditional destinations around 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,” he said.

Members of the Khiri Travel Philippines management team are attending the pan-Asian Khiri Management Forum in Bali, 12-14 September.

Khiri Travel Philippines products will be a key part of Khiri Travel’s promotions at the World Travel Market in London in November.