Association of Tour Operators welcomes new members as it prepares for the 34th Philippine Travel Mart, the country’s largest travel expo
August 10, 2023– Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco commended the efforts of the country’s travel agencies to improve tourism to popular and emerging destinations and expressed appreciation to the Philippine Association of Travel Agents )’s “Inclusive Tourism” on the occasion of the 4th Group General Meeting (GMM) at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
“We recognize that there are several emerging destinations across the country that have the potential to become key destinations for the tourism industry if given the proper assistance, attention, development and promotion. This is why I am very grateful to Philtoa as they are not only focusing on us World-renowned destinations also offer opportunities for emerging destinations,” said Frasco, the event’s keynote speaker. “This reflects true shared tourism governance, where the private sector mobilizes the industry as a whole to assist the government in ensuring inclusive tourism grows.”
As part of the celebration, Philtoa brought its membership to over 500 with the introduction of 10 new travel agencies, an immigrant services agency and 15 hotels and resorts. BNG Travel Services; E-Travel Zone; ETravelPH Event Management Services; Festival Travel Services; Godspeed Tours; Group Travel Specialists; Jimwell Tours; Landsair Tours and Travel Corp., Mariaynah Travel and Tour; MFly Tours; Tours; Toby Travel Services Inc.; Travel Enterprises Inc.; Walking the Earth Inc.; Makati Alpha Suites; Ambassador Paradise Resorts Inc.; Suites; Red Hotels Ltd.; Richmond Hotel Iloilo; Sunwind Mountain Resort & Spa Ltd.; Timberland Heights Resort; and ACN Southern Immigration and Education Services.
Philtoa President Fe Abling-Yu also announced the upcoming 34th Philippine Travel Mart, which will be held from September 1-3 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City. . The largest annual travel expo will feature nearly 200 exhibitors (occupying 300 booths) from all 17 regions of the Philippines, ranging from hotels to resorts, travel agencies, tour operators and tourism offices. The one-stop shop allows travel fair visitors to easily select vacation packages from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Visitors to PTM will be able to enjoy discounts and benefits that are only applicable to on-site bookings.
Bacolod, the “super city”
The fourth edition of GMM’s focus destination is Bacolod City, a growing “megacity” that invites local and international visitors to discover the latest tourism developments in the City of Smiles – from infrastructure to food, arts, culture and legacy and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) initiatives.
Guest of Honour, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albey” Benitez, showed guests exciting offers in Bacolod, including the upcoming Bacolod Convention Center, which will accommodate MICE events for up to 10,000 people; Mascara Bacolod Museum/Trade Centre; Orange Project, the largest educational and entertainment art gallery in the city; and countless culinary destinations offering inasal, kansi, delicacies such as napolones and piaya.
The main tourist attraction in Bacolod is, of course, the Mascara Festival, which this year promises to be a massive three-week event, with each week focusing on an important aspect of the city’s tourism industry. During the first week, guests can watch a series of sporting events “Masskara-lympics”; during the second week, food will be the highlight of “Masskara Namit” while spirits take center stage as Bacolod is home to the largest rum in the Philippines The home of alcoholic products; get ready for a carnival-style party at the Electric Masskara event last week.
With this tourism development happening not only in Bacolod but across the country post-pandemic, Chroma Hospitality Group Vice President Sales and Marketing Carmela Bocanegra urged her fellow Philtoa members to claim that “now is the time” to move forward Step forward and further strengthen the industry.
“Make 2023 a moment of great renewal,” Bocanegra said.
With Philtoa’s strong return, Frasco also invited the association to continue to show their love for the Philippines, “promote the best of our destinations,” and help them improve so we can showcase them to the world.
“Loving the Philippines is about emphasizing our love for our country, our pride in our place, our love for each other, and it’s also a reminder and a call to action,” Frasco said. “Loving the Philippines … is trying to understand what we can do Something to introduce difficult but useful solutions or initiatives that have never been done before but are now being implemented to address global travel trends. To love the Philippines is to incorporate that love into your particular destination. “
The 34th Philippine Travel Mart
“We are grateful for the strong partnership with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotion Council, Philippine Airlines, BPI and our media partners. The 34th Philippine Travel Mart not only showcases our country’s amazing destinations, but also celebrates It strengthens the resilience and strength of our industry as a major contributor to the country’s growth and progress,” said Fe Abling-Yu, president of the Philippine Association of Tour Operators.
The 34th Philippine Travel Mart will be held from September 1-3, 2023 at SMX Convention Center Manila, the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.For more information visit their website philtravelmart.comor follow their Facebook and Instagram pages @Philtravelmart
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