Malaybalay City celebrates indigenous heritage, local artistry during tourism week

MALAYBALAY CITY — Local officials have launched City Tourism Week 2026, positioning the Bukidnon municipality as a destination that values cultural preservation and artistic expression alongside its renowned natural landscapes and outdoor recreational offerings.

The city government inaugurated the tourism week on Monday, converting the lobby of city hall in Barangay Casisang into an exhibition space dedicated to local heritage, indigenous traditions, and contemporary soil-based art forms. The venue serves as a gathering point for residents, visitors, and cultural stakeholders to engage with Malaybalay's distinct identity.

The initiative reflects a broader regional shift toward cultural tourism that emphasizes authentic community experiences and local artisanal practices. By integrating indigenous knowledge systems and environmental art practices into its tourism framework, Malaybalay aims to distinguish itself from conventional eco-adventure destinations.

City officials emphasized that the week-long programming aims to deepen visitors' understanding of the area's ethnic heritage while supporting local artists and cultural practitioners. The event underscores how tourism development can serve as a vehicle for cultural documentation and community economic benefit.