For a stronger Philippine tourism

Hundreds of international travel and tourism professionals recently gathered at the Marriott Hotel Manila to take part in the country’s most important annual travel trade event — the Philippine Travel Exchange ( PHITEX) 2016.

Presented by the Tourism Promotions Board ( TPB) and the Department of Tourism ( DOT), PHITEX serves as a venue for business- to- business sessions between international buyers and local sellers. The event aims to broaden the chance of interaction, as well as encourage in- depth discussions on tourism and trade opportunities.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, together with Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre, TPB COO OIC Joselito Gregorio, deputy COO for international promotions Maricon BascoEbron and PHITEX deputy secretary general Susana del

Mundo, welcomed the international delegation to the event. Teo said, “PHITEX will only grow stronger and more competitive through the coming years with the continual commitment and dedication of everyone — our partners, buyers, sellers and exchange visitors. Your immeasurable support only fuels us to push and go further. I believe that through our cumulative effort, we create and become the greater nations.”

On top of the sessions, buyers, who got to experience the country’s world-famous hospitality, enjoyed Filipino delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka. The talent of the Pinoys was also highlighted through the excellent performances of the 36-year- old festival dance company Buganda Dancers and Drumbeaters; multi- awarded ballet dancers Candice and Carissa Adea, World Champion violinist Juleous and Asia’s Got Talent Season 1 finalist, Junior New System.

Buyers also joined fun and exciting tours that included inspection of hotels, entertainment and convention venues and facilities around the country’s capital and top tourist attractions and destinations such as Intramuros, Tagaytay and Batangas, Vigan, Laoag, Palawan, Bicol, Bohol, Cebu and Davao.

Now on its 15th year, PHITEX has gained popularity and recognition in the global tourism market. By making the event bigger and better, TPB is giving foreign travelers more reasons to visit the Philippines again.

Asiaventure Services operations manager Arlene Gianni with Department of Tourism director for the Americas, Europe and Middle East Verna Buensuceso and director for tourism standard and regulation Rica Bueno.

Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. and Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre.

Junior New System. Guests are treated to performances by some of the country’s multiawarded talents like Baihana, Buganda Dancers and Drumbeaters, Candice and Carissa Adea, Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild and Whiplash.

PHITEX deputy secretary general Susana del Mundo and Tourism Promotions Board Deputy COO for international promotions Maricon BascoEbron.

Annabelle Daokaew, Paul Phornprathipdeva from Thailand and Margie Logarta.

(From left) Yasuhiko Yokoyama, Kuniaki Takaku, Hitoshi Abe and Masaru Okahashi from Japan.

Franzisk Driftus and Sabrina Seibold from Germany with Shahjhan Sayed from India.

(From left) Connie Chong from Malaysia, Svetlana Gafurvo and Boris Kolokolov from Russia and Yun Wang from China.

Hanh Cuong Tran, Tu Thi My Hanh and Dreu Thuy Vie from Vietnam.

Marriott Hotel Manila’s Cecile Quidric and GM Bruce Winton with Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Susanna Lopez.

Tourism Se c r e t a r y Wanda Corazon Teo.

Juleous.

Neha Mehra and Bhawana Gupta from India.

Johannes Haerl and Gerhard Dress from Germany.

Diamond Stars’ Kishore Jethmal and Handy Events’ Tony Handy.

Shroff Travel’s Arjun Shroff and Jpark Island Resort’s Ronald Roy Marquez.

Raniella Guevarra.

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