Int’l travel agents join PHITEX

More than 200 travel agents and tour operators from over 30 countries recently visited the Philippines to attend one of the biggest travel trade events in the country – the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2018.

Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), PHITEX 2018 served as a venue for the world’s top travel and tour buyers to meet over 220 local sellers and discuss how best to promote the Philippines as a premier travel destination in Asia.

Held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, PHITEX 2018 aims to contribute more to economic growth and provide more job opportunities for thousands of Filipinos nationwide.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said, “The tourism sector continues to be a key economic driver in the country. It contributed 12.2 percent to the country’s GDP in 2017. At the same time, tourism has provided business employment for 5.3 million Filipinos.”

“Last year, PHITEX saw an increase in the number of buyers and first-time sellers with business generation of P2.3 billion, a big leap from the 2016 record of P1.7 billion,” said TPB officer-in-charge Arnold Gonzales.

With the theme “Tourism is our business: Guarding our Environment, Reliving our Culture,” it kicked off with a pre-tour in Bataan, Laguna, Tagaytay and Batangas.

Highlighting the event was the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), an exclusive business-to-business appointment between local sellers and international buyers.

Buyers were treated to a five-day post tour to main attractions in the country – Bicol, Davao, Palawan (Puerto PrincesaEl Nido and Coron), Dumaguete-Siquijor-Sumilon and Ilocos. This allowed them to experience first-hand the beauty and warmth of the Philippines.