(Photo courtesy : PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)
The Department of Tourism MIMAROPA is steering Romblon’s tourism offerings toward deeper, more immersive experiences, with marble tours and hands-on carving activities taking center stage as the province responds to the growing appetite for experiential travel.
Speaking during the opening of the Marble Festival 2026 in Romblon on January 9, DOT MIMAROPA officer-in-charge Regional Director Roberto Alabado III said today’s travelers—particularly younger visitors—are no longer satisfied with sightseeing alone.
He noted that travel has evolved from simply visiting destinations and taking photos to seeking meaningful participation and personal connection. For Gen Z and modern tourists, he said, being able to engage, create, and experience a place firsthand has become just as important as seeing it.
In Romblon, Alabado stressed that marble naturally offers a unique platform for this kind of engagement. Rather than limiting marble to finished products on display, he encouraged tourism stakeholders to design activities that allow visitors to understand the process behind the craft, from quarrying to carving.
He floated the idea of structured marble tours and short carving sessions, where tourists can try shaping marble themselves, even in simple ways. According to Alabado, this approach mirrors successful models elsewhere, such as the woodcarving tradition in Paete, where visitors are invited not just to buy crafts but to experience the art form.
Beyond activities, Alabado shared a broader vision of positioning Romblon marble as a cultural symbol for the entire MIMAROPA region. He proposed developing marble souvenirs that reflect regional heritage, including Morion-inspired figures and artworks representing different provinces, helping extend Romblon’s identity beyond its borders.
He also suggested wider use of marble in hotels, resorts, and public spaces, allowing visitors to immediately recognize Romblon’s craftsmanship upon arrival and reinforcing its reputation as the Marble Capital of the Philippines.
The DOT said these initiatives are expected to deepen visitor engagement, generate new livelihood opportunities for local artisans, and support the long-term preservation of Romblon’s cultural identity, while giving both local and foreign tourists a more memorable and participatory experience.