Elite roster of speakers at Franchise Asia PH 2012

PARTICIPANTS in this year's International Franchise Conference on July 25 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center will come home well-equipped with fresh global perspectives and the latest trends in the franchising sector. The conference committee of Franchise Asia Philippines 2012 (FAP2012), Asia's biggest 4-in-1 franchise event organized by the Philippine Franchise Association scheduled on July 25- 29, has assembled an elite roster of renowned local and international experts who will speak at the two-day event. With the theme "Asia to the World, the World to Asia," FAP2012, aside from the International Franchise Conference, will also have the International Franchise Expo on July 27 to 29; Educational Franchise Seminars on July 27 to 29; and, the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) Program, a mini MBA course on Franchise Management at the AIM Conference Center on July 23 to 24. Chaired by Goldilocks Bakeshop vice president Franklin Go (center), the Conference Committee has added extra efforts to make sure the Conference topics are relevant, meaningful and responsive to the needs of Filipino businessmen who look to franchising as their growth path. Other members of the Conference team include (from left) Federico Moreno, CFE, (Ystilo Salon) and Siu Ping Par, CFE (PR Gaz Haus) as Speakers Chairs; Lin Deres, CFE (Goldilocks) for the Program; Rebecca Bucad, CFE (K2 Drug) and Froilan Manotok, CFE, (CFE Asia Alumni) for the Breakout/Track Sessions; and Francis Glenn Yu, CFE, (Seaoil Phils.) also for the Program. Log on to www.franchiseasiaphl2012.com.ph and register on-line for special admission rates; or call the PFA Secretariat at tel. nos. (02) 6870365 to 67, 09178320731, or e-mail pfa@pfa.org.ph; or call the exhibit management team Global Link MP Events at (02) 750-8588 or e-mailfranchise@globallinkmp.com. THE PHILIPPINES' largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) partners with the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) in the ongoing Yeosu Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea, which runs until August 12, 2012.

An airline partner of the Philippine Pavillion, CEB shows its full support to tourism efforts by providing tickets, tour package rates and exposure to expo organizers, talents and travel agents throughout the three-month expo duration. It operates thrice daily flights from the Philippines to Seoul (Incheon) and eight weekly flights to Busan.

"As our top source of visitor traffic, the Korean market is of utmost importance to the Philippines' hospitality industry. Koreans accounted for nearly a quarter of the archipelago's tourism arrivals last year and they have been our number one market since 2006," said Department of Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez.

PDOT reports indicate that 925,000 Koreans visited the Philippines in 2011, a 25% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, CEB flew more than 380,000 passengers to and from South Korea, a 51% passenger increase compared to 2011.

"The Yeosu Expo has a marine sustainability theme, which is perfect for the Philippine islands' inherent wealth in coastal and marine treasures. We are investing in a principal site in the Pacific Ocean Zone to best capture over 80,000 average daily expo visitors," added Jimenez.

PDOT's Yeosu Expo participation is CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog, and Philippine Organizing Committee Commissioner General and PDOT Assistant Secretary Domingo Ramon Enerio III formalize their partnership for the Yeosu Expo 2012 in South Korea. Also in this photo are CEB cabin crew and representatives from PDOT. just one initiative to reach 2 million Korean arrivals by 2016. CEB seat sales as low as 50% off, lowest year round air fares as low as KRW99,000 (PHP3,999), and creative tour packages, also play a part in stimulating travel to the country.

"Despite their relative affluence, Koreans appreciate value-for-money fares in their purchase of air tickets. Similarly, the proliferation of Korean operators and establishments is bringing down rates that appeal to even more travelers," Jimenez said.

CEB, for its part, highlights various Philippine destinations to Yeosu Expo visitors, such as Busuanga (Coron), Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, San Jose (Apo Reef), Dumaguete (Apo Island), and Puerto Princesa (Tubbataha Reef).

"The Cebu Pacific team is excited to work closely with PDOT and other government agencies in promoting the Philippines' world-class dive sites and island destinations.

It will also continue to offer the lowest fares from South Korea direct to Manila and Cebu so more Koreans can visit and explore the country," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

The Philippine exhibits will carry the theme "Islands of Diversity, Seas of Connectivity" to entice tropical holiday seekers, honeymooners and other special interest groups such as divers and beach enthusiasts, which make up a majority of Korean tourists. More information is available at www.7107.co.kr/philexpo2012/default.aspx.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888.