Foreign travel buyers set sights on RP

The Department of Tourism (DoT) has recently welcomed almost 200 foreign travel buyers from DoT’s seven markets in the 9th Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX ’09) which will run at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City until September 4, 2009.

The top travel buyers are comprised of tour operators, travel agencies, retailers, corporate planners, alternative tours companies, incentive travel, wellness program directors, and medical tourism representatives.

The largest delegations hail from Asia including countries of People’s Republic of China (PROC), South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and Japan. European buyers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Greece, and Russia also make up the sizeable group. Under the theme “Explore, Experience. The Philippines is made to be traveled” this year’s PHITEX ‘09 is the biggest yet, according to Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism. “The highlight of this event is the travel exchange or TRAVEX where our foreign buyers get to meet our own stakeholders in intensive business-to-business sessions,” Durano said.

“A business-to-business selling mission is a significant opportunity for the country to draw in much needed tourism dollars,” added Durano.

The buyers are also slated to inspect the country’s finest tourism destinations, attractions, facilities, products, and services. “Pre and post familiarization tours of Boracay, Bohol, Baguio, Manila, Palawan, Cebu, Banawe, Sagada, Batangas, Laguna are scheduled to give these major tourism influencers a chance to experience what we have to offer,” shared Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions. “As a country with 7,107 islands of sun, sea, and mountains, we are a welcome destination with our diving, trekking, caving, and birdwatching packages among other exciting activities,” Jarque further said.

PHITEX ‘09 is spearheaded by the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), along with Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) and Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Apart from the travel exchanges, PHITEX ’09 will also hold seminars and workshops by high-profile speakers who will keep the industry abreast of the recent trends, products as well as source and emerging markets.

Further details are available at the above website or by calling the PHITEX ’09. Secretariat with telephone numbers (02) 525-7320 and 525-9318 local 269/258.