• MESSAGES •

My warmest greetings to the visitors and exhibitors of the 24th Travel Tour Expo! Numerous publications have bestowed honor on our beautiful tourist attractions. Just recently, National Geographic included the pink beach of Sta. Cruz island in Zamboanga among its top 21 beaches in the world. Palawan, Cebu and Boracay have also been consistently named as top tourist destinations and we are so fortunate for the recognition. The Department of Tourism ( DOT), together with Philippine Travel Agencies Association and the rest of the private sector have been aggressively promoting our country to both local and foreign travelers. I am sure that there are more to be discovered in our country. But we must also remember that it is up to us to harness the potential of our country as a top tourist destination whilst ensuring that we are able to safeguard our cultural and natural heritage so that these may be enjoyed by future generations. I pray that the 24th Traveltour Expo can bring about not only good travel deals for our tourists but also start significant discussions about sustainable tourism for the industry’s stakeholders. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay Senator

Traveling around the Philippines has never been attractive and affordable as these days. As an adventure seeker, I frequently advocate in the Senate to make tourism in the country pleasant and convenient for all kinds of travelers. I envision to make this happen through my proposed legislative measures for transportation and infrastructure development.

A modernized and efficient railway system is the only way to improve transportation and faster movement of people and goods. I am pushing for this through the Modernization of the Philippine National Railways ( Senate Bill No. 152), the Train Protection Act (SB No. 153), and Transportation Crisis Act (SB No. 154) in seeking to grant special powers to the President to address the transportation crisis.

Rationalizing Alights in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( Senate Resolution No. 277) is also crucial to streamline, if not trim down, the volume of daily Alights and to decongest the heavy air trafAic at NAIA. In the long run, I am also seeking to rehabilitate and improve NAIA’s transport and communication infrastructures to provide greater and quality service. These measures are meant to make tours around the country hassle-free for those with restless feet. Travelers this 2017, here’s to more enjoyment of our idyllic beaches and jubilant festivals, exploring various cuisines, and warm experiences with the hospitality of our people! JV Ejercito Senator

The Department of Tourism extends its warmest greetings to the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) as it stages the 24th Travel Tour Expo 2017. As one of the much-anticipated tourism events in the country, this gathering encourages more Filipinos to explore our wonderful destinations as it offers hundreds of travel deals, from affordable plane tickets to discounted accommodation rates. This travel expo is also an opportunity for the industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss current trends, learn about new destinations, and showcase new products and services. With this continued collaboration with our stakeholders and the private sectors, we are confident that the country’s already booming tourism industry will continue to grow.

Thank you to the members of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), for helping us in our shared responsibility of promoting the Philippines as a must-experience destination, where you will feel the uniquely Filipino hospitality that will prove that when you are with Filipinos, you are with family! Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo Secretary

Since its inception in 1979, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) has been the leading partner of the government in promoting and developing the country’s tourism industry.

Over the years, the association has seen firsthand the highs and lows for all the tourism stakeholders in the country.

We have seen how the slowdown in the economy on some years caused travel to take a backseat, the spread of viruses scaring travelers, the evolving use of technology in the industry hitting travel agencies, and all the way to the implementation of the Tourism Act of 2009 which gave new vibrancy to the industry.

The last few years have been really good for the country’s tourism industry and its various stakeholders. There has been robust growth in the industry and the Philippines is now poised to make a major leap to become one of the leading tourism destinations in the ASEAN region.

This year, the government is looking at 6.50 million tourist arrivals, 73.30 million domestic travelers, and a combined P2.36 trillion in revenues from both as accessibility and connectivity in the country improves.

The PTAA will continue to be deeply involved in all efforts and undertakings towards having the tourism industry providing meaningful impact on the lives of our countrymen.

Our flagship project, the Travel Tour Expo (TTE), is sending a clear message that we want Filipinos to have more access to travel, be it personal or work related. We want travel to be an integral part of our countrymen’s lives.

To this end we are very much grateful to the more than 300 exhibitors that are participating in this year’s expo as they believe and are very much supportive on what the PTAA wants to achieve.

Right now, we are using 16,000 square meters of the SMX convention center for the three-day run of the expo. And yet, we are still looking for ways to further expanding this annual event.

Even when the TTE is now considered as the country’s biggest annual travel and tourism event, we still believe that there is still a lot of room to grow and expand the expo.

And beyond the TTE, the association will continue to work closely with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, and industry partners. We will also push for increased connectivity among travel agencies and tour operators in the country.

The PTAA believes that every stakeholder should be involved and united for the country’s tourism industry to continue on its growth path. Marlene Jante PTAA President

The long wait is over as we bring the 24th Travel Tour Expo (TTE) and the 2nd international Travel Trade Expo (iTTE) to the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Now considered as the country’s biggest travel and tourism event, we look at the 24th TTE as the one-stop shop for travelers as we bring together more than 300 travel and tourism companies, organizations, and government agencies under one roof. For this year, there will be a marked increase in the number of government agencies participating as we aim to address concerns of travelers on their travel- related documentary requirements.

More airlines, led by our flag- carrier Philippine Airlines, will be showcasing their products and destinations. There will be awesome fares waiting for frequent travelers hunting for bargains.

Participation of national tourism organizations (NTO) have also doubled as the three-day exhibit becomes an important venue for them to promote the various tourism destinations in their respective countries.

Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) members also see this as the time of the year where they can boost their respective markets and allow travelers to look for attractive travel packages. Travelers will surely enjoy choosing the destinations they look forward to visiting at unbelievable prices.

With the number of visitors and sales expected to be the biggest in the history of the expo, this year’s TTE promises to be also festive with a wide assortment of stage activities and raffle prizes every hour.

For its part, the 2nd edition of the iTTE vows to bolster and expand the network of travel agencies and tour operators in the country and contribute to the growth of global tourism. The business-to-business meetings are expected to result in improved business relationships among stakeholders.

Our endless gratitude goes to all those involved in the expo including sponsors, exhibitors, government agencies, airlines, NTOs, insurance companies and travel merchandisers.

Likewise, to the Organizing Committee, as the TTE will not be the success that it is today without its unparalleled support and dedication to the PTAA.

I encourage everyone to visit the PTAA’s 24th Travel Tour Expo and take advantage of its grandest sale! Maria Michelle Reyes-Victoria Travel Tour Expo Chairperson