Banaan Museum in Northern Philippines Attracts Global Visitors

The Banaan Museum in the Northern Philippine province of Pangasinan has become one of the area’s leading tourist attractions. Since the museum opened in September 2023, it has welcomed 15,474 visitors generating PHP 616,000 in entrance fees. Likewise, its souvenir shop has generated PHP 94,000 in sales as of January 2025.

National tourism and culture authorities cite the museum as a success, especially during the celebration of National Arts Month in the Philippines. In a statement, provincial governor Ramon Guico III emphasized the importance of local museums, stating that the Banaan Museum symbolizes the identity of Pangasinan and serves as a doorway to understanding the province’s culture, history, and arts.

Banaan Museum

Interesting Attractions

Located in the provincial capital, the museum features 11 galleries showcasing artifacts, artworks, interactive displays, and installations that highlight Pangasinan’s cultural heritage. It also houses the Banaan Museum Shop, which sells locally crafted products, including bamboo and buri [native plant fibre] handicrafts, rattan bags, upcycled wood items, and artworks. Additionally, 24 active concessionaires from different towns in Pangasinan offer refreshments to visitors.

Banaan Museum Gallery

Popular with Tourists

According to Maria Luisa Elduayan, head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), the Banaan Museum has attracted visitors from the United States, Denmark, Korea, Indonesia, Samoa, France, Japan, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Britain, Thailand, Malaysia, and Germany, alongside domestic visitors from other provinces throughout the Philippines.

Nathaniel Daroy, the designated deputy minister for the Banaan Museum, added that the majority of visitors were students aged 11 to 20, followed by young professionals aged 21 to 30.