MAKATI CITY — Last May 5, 2026, Makati City Hall became more than just a center for government services and public administration. It transformed into a learning space for tourism development as the Makati City Government welcomed representatives from Santa Maria, Bulacan, for a benchmarking activity focused on urban tourism, cultural management, and public-private partnerships.
The visit was organized by the Municipal Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office of Santa Maria, Bulacan, whose delegates aimed to study Makati’s successful tourism programs and explore ways to apply similar strategies in their own municipality. Officials from Santa Maria shared their intention to strengthen local tourism initiatives by learning from Makati’s innovative practices in destination management and cultural promotion.
Sharing Makati’s Tourism Strategies
Held at Makati City Hall, the session featured presentations from the city’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Office led by Concurrent City Tourism Officer Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco. Discussions focused on key areas such as urban tourism development, culture and arts management, MICE and events, smart tourism initiatives, and building effective public-private partnerships.
Dwayne Samarista presented the frameworks and strategies that helped establish Makati as a model for sustainable urban tourism. Members of the delegation, including Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Nerissa Del Rosario, tourism council representatives, and support staff, actively participated in discussions centered on adapting Makati’s best practices into practical programs for Santa Maria.
Experiencing Makati Beyond the Conference Room
The benchmarking activity extended beyond formal presentations. Delegates also joined a guided walking tour of Museo ng Makati and Barangay Poblacion, giving them the opportunity to experience the city’s cultural sites and tourism initiatives firsthand.
The immersive tour allowed visitors to better understand how Makati combines heritage preservation, cultural programming, and community involvement to create a vibrant tourism environment. More than a simple tour, the activity demonstrated how tourism strategies become more meaningful when experienced directly on the ground.
Strengthening Tourism Through Collaboration
City officials said the benchmarking activity reflects Makati’s ongoing commitment to knowledge-sharing and collaboration with other local government units in support of sustainable tourism development.
Beyond being an exchange of ideas, the initiative also highlights the importance of cooperation in strengthening the country’s tourism industry. By sharing successful programs and strategies with other municipalities, Makati continues to help elevate tourism standards while promoting effective governance and visitor-centered development.
