When we stepped foot in Leyte, we kept our expectations at a minimum—and if we’re being honest, we’re glad we did because the province blew us away in more ways than one.
San Juanico Bridge and Kalanggaman Island (Photo: WhenInManila.com)
Prior to visiting, the Gen Z in me immediately opened TikTok to search for cool and must-visit travel destinations in the province. As I scrolled through videos and browsed the tags, I saw fewer posts about Leyte itself and more about tourist spots from other cities and provinces in the Visayas. And maybe, for a moment, we realize what this says on a bigger scale.
When we think of the Visayas as a whole, our minds often go straight to popular cities like Cebu, or iconic destinations like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol or the white-sand beaches of Boracay—without realizing that there’s so much more to see and experience in places that not many have explored.
As our trip continued, I kept finding reasons to say, “See you, Leyte,” and come back home with a more relaxed spirit and a renewed perspective on the island.
Accessible and more affordable ways to travel
There’s always this notion that domestic travel is much more expensive compared to traveling internationally. However, you can fly to Tacloban and other key local destinations at a much more affordable price with exclusive seat sales offering low fares! This proves that memorable trips don’t always have to come with a hefty price tag.
To boost domestic travel and promote regions like Eastern Visayas, AirAsia Philippines has launched its 7.7 Mid-Year Sale, where locals and tourists can buy one-way tickets to and from Tacloban and other key destinations for as low as P77. With this double-digit deal, you can book from July 7 to 13, for travel between August 1 and October 15, 2025.
Apart from making travel more affordable and accessible, the low-cost airline is also enhancing the in-flight experience by offering budget-friendly airplane meals, so you can enjoy your journey from takeoff to touchdown without breaking the bank!
For travelers on domestic routes, they’re offering delicious and light snacks for only P110 (à la carte/P150 for value combo), such as the Pain Au Chocolat or Cheese Puff, which pair perfectly with Santan’s wide range of beverages. As someone who needs a little pick-me-up while traveling, these delectable snacks give an instant serotonin boost that’ll leave you feeling more energized.
JT’s Manukan Bacolod Chicken Inasal and Santan’s Coconut Latte (Photo: WhenInManila.com)
If you’re in the mood for a heavier meal, they also offer delicious rice dishes like the crowd-favorite Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak or JT’s Manukan Bacolod Chicken Inasal (P220 à la carte for both meals). The chicken inasal is tender, flavorful, and satisfying—and it goes perfectly with Santan’s refreshing Coconut Latte.
The best part about these in-flight meals and snacks? They’re halal-certified and budget-friendly, making it easier for those with food restrictions or preferences to satisfy their cravings while in the air.
Efforts to promote local tourism
You’ll immediately feel the warmth and the love the moment you arrive, and it’s nice to see it in the small details: how our tour guides speak with so much passion about each spot we visit, how the ates and kuyas offered pasalubong recommendations, and how the province and its people radiate a comforting presence that will make you excited as you embark on an adventure.
From L-R: Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso-Kabigting, Board Member Wilson Uy, Leyte Province Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Tourism Consultant Frances Ann Petilla, and AirAsia Philippines Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs Steve Dailisan (Photo: WhenInManila.com)
During the Tacloban-Leyte Route Story Conference, we were able to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue with Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, gaining more valuable insight into the province’s ongoing tourism efforts and how they can be a rising tourism getaway to Eastern Visayas by having more visibility in the online landscape.
“We are a work in progress,” Hon. Petilla asserted. “Tourism now is global and digital… Leyte, as a destination, ang palaging lumalabas [other provinces], that’s a testimony that we do not exist because if we do not exist digitally, we do not exist at all.”
“Leyte is a destination that not so many people know.. If we actually make ourselves a destination, we also advertise [local airfares] kasi sila ang tumutulong sa atin (because they are the ones helping us to gain more tourists), and at the same time, it is also our intent to make ourselves visible. It’s a two-way [street],” he added.
Apart from establishing a presence in the digital space, local government units in Leyte also ensure that the youth learn about their own province by gaining firsthand experience in promoting local heritage.
“Ang kulang namin ay tour guides (We lack tour guides) so we partner with universities and they do their OJT (On-the-job training) here in the province… Sino pa ba ang magkkwento sa kwento natin, sa buhay natin, kung hindi tayong mga tiga-Leyte (Who else will tell our stories—our lives—if not us, the people of Leyte)?” said Tourism Consultant Frances Ann Petilla
With Leyte often recognized as the province struck by Typhoon Yolanda, the tourism consultant shared that they are embracing the past and their history wholeheartedly.
“Here in the Philippines, when we say Leyte, ‘Leyte, ‘yung tinamaan ng (the one hit by) Yolanda,’ but whether positive or negative, that is the story of Leyte. That is the story of the life of the Leyteños, and even if we have come through that, we were able to rise up,” she said.
“When you visit a destination, it’s not just the beauty that captures you—it’s the story behind the place,” the Leyte governor echoed a similar sentiment. “Yolanda will always be a part of us, but it will always be a part of our tourism.”
Tourist Spots and Underrated Gems Worth Coming Back To
When we think of Leyte—specifically Tacloban—we are reminded of the horrors they endured during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Over a decade since the typhoon struck, the province continues to bounce back, proving time and again that both its people and its destinations are truly “a work in progress.”
From L-R: Tabuk Marine Park Fish and Bird Sanctuary, Lintaon Peak, and Kalanggaman Island (Photo: WhenInManila.com)
Beyond the devastation, Leyte takes pride in its humility, resilience, and its constant drive to evolve, showcasing the province’s natural beauty through genuine cultural experiences and unforgettable adventures that leave a lasting impact on every traveler.
In Palo, we learned more about the province’s rich and deep history—from how it played a central role during World War II to the ways it now honors the memory of those lost to Typhoon Yolanda. The people we’ve met and the places we’ve visited proved that they are more than just an afterthought; they are the heart of Leyte’s story and strength.
In Palompon, we were able to truly understand what it means to reset and disconnect from the digital world. With no way to connect to social media or finish a work deliverable, we embraced the moment. We realized that genuine connection lives in heartfelt conversations, the playful banter and comfortable silences, and the calming rhythm of the waves as they return to the ocean—where they came from, and where they’re meant to be.
Finally, in Baybay, we saw how an 18-year-old city (yes, younger than I am) is becoming a benchmark destination in the region, driven by its strong infrastructure, innovative efforts, and meaningful initiatives that uplift locals, farmers, and the destinations they proudly call home.
While the trip may have been short and sweet, and these moments may one day become memories we tell as stories, there is one thing we’re sure of—we’ll be back. Because Leyte isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you return to, again and again.
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