Travel Manitoba is spicing up its tourism plans with a Filipino twist! Engaging directly with the Filipino community leaders and residents through dynamic focus groups, the initiative promises to infuse local tourism strategies with rich cultural insights, aiming to make Manitoba’s attractions as welcoming and exciting as a Filipino festival.
Photo by Erin Jonasson | Probe Research

Building Bridges: Filipino Perspectives Crafting Manitoba’s Tourism Future

Community Members meeting with Travel Manitoba during 2nd focus group at the Pavillion Gallery at Assiniboine Park. Thank you Assiniboine Park Conservancy for hosting our focus group and community engagement efforts.

Travel Manitoba is on a mission, and it’s all about bringing new flavors to our tourism scene, Filipino-style! Partnering with Probe Research, we’ve launched a series of fun and insightful focus groups that put Manitoba’s Filipino residents front and center in our tourism development plans.

Why focus on the Filipino community, you ask? Well, it’s simple. They bring a vibrant cultural tapestry and a zest for community activities that are second to none. These focus groups were all about tapping into that vibrant energy to uncover how we can spice up our tourism offerings.

Participants didn’t hold back! They shared everything from their weekend escapades across Manitoba’s landscapes to their dreams of more culturally rich experiences at tourist spots. They talked about practical stuff too, like boosting bilingual advertising and getting more Filipino festivals and events on the tourism calendar.

“It’s been eye-opening,” said one of the focus group facilitators. “The ideas were flowing, from tiny tweaks like more advertising in Tagalog to big dreams like annual cultural festivals and sports tournaments that could draw visitors from near and far.”

This isn’t just about making notes and nodding heads. Travel Manitoba is serious about turning these chats into real changes that make exploring Manitoba a top pick for everyone, no matter where they’re from. The plan? To sprinkle a little Filipino flair across our tourism strategies, ensuring they’re as welcoming as a homemade Filipino meal.

Keep your eyes peeled as we report back to our participants and the community. We’re just getting started on making Manitoba’s tourism scene a vibrant, inclusive party, and you’re all invited!

Breakout session with Erin Jonasson Probe Research.