Secretary Mon Jimenez gives the thumbs up sign for Philippine tourism at the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart opening on Friday, August 10. Joining him are locals from Batad, Cordillera who are promoting the Batad Weekend Warrior package where tourists can engage in the spirit of 'bachang' or 'bayanihan' in help rehabilitate the Banaue Rice Terraces. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
At the opening of the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart this morning (August 10, Friday), Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. assured the public and the tourism industry that the devastating monsoon rains that struck Metro Manila and nearby provinces this week will not affect the influx of tourists in the country.
Jimenez was the guest of honor of the yearly travel expo organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA). Now on its 23rd year, Philippine Travel Mart is the biggest annual three-day gathering of tour operators, hotels, resorts, and travel-related industries from all over the country. This year, the expo has over 250 exhibitors occupying all four halls of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from August 10 to 12.
According to the secretary, the recent monsoon rains that flooded several parts of Luzon would hurt businesses, but would not have any negative effect on the country’s image. Jimenez said, “It will affect business in Manila and other areas, yes, temporarily. But flooding is not a permanent condition; it’s not our image.”
“There is always sunshine in the Philippines, and that is what we’re trying to promote,” he added.
He also expressed confidence in reaching the 4.6 million tourists targeted by the government by the end of the year, stating that the capability of the country to handle tourists will be the only challenge in reaching the said goal. “Aabot ho tayo. Malakas naman ang demand pool ng Pilipinas ngayon, talagang maraming [gustong pumunta]. Magkakatalo na lang sa abilidad nating i-absorb,” he said.
(“We will reach that goal. There is a strong demand pool in the country today, a lot of people really want to travel to the Philippines. The crucial factor would be in our ability to absorb the influx of tourists.”)
Also, he stressed the importance of public-private partnership in upgrading the nation’s capability to serve tourists better, stating that it is the “most significant” factor to hit the 4.6-million-tourist mark.
Meanwhile, Cesar Cruz, president of Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), cited the event as the “most challenging Philippine Travel Mart” ever.
PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz présents the official t-shirt of the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart to DOT Secretary Mon Jimenez. The back of the t-shirt features the successful Philippine tourism slogan. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
“Doing the Philippine Travel Mart is not really that easy, but this is the most challenging. Metro Manila has been flooded, access to the venue was almost totally impossible, Metro Manila has been pictured in the media as an area of calamity, and then you’re coming out with this event,” Cruz said.
PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz (right) with DOT Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart. Over 250 exhibitors are participating in the three-day event, August 10 to 12, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
Despite the problems faced by the association in organizing the said event, PHILTOA proudly unveiled this year’s Sale ng Bayan, discounts and promos for group travels and tours to attract local and foreign tourists alike.
This year, the much-awaited Sale ng Bayan features places like the Boracay for only Php957 per head, and Batanes for Php1,800 each. Inclusive of transportation and lodging, Sale ng Bayan aims to promote tourism by giving discounts to groups of tourists.
Members of the Banaue Rice Terraces Wooden Scooters Association were among the participants of the three-day travel expo at SMX Convention Center. The tribesmen riding their wooden scooters were featured in the widely viewed Philippine tourism meme photo "Mountain biking? It's More Fun in the Philippines." Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
