TPB set to accelerate local tourism with PHITEX 2019

Philippine Travel Exchange or PHITEX, the biggest travel trade event in the country, is now set with this year’s theme, Philippine Tourism: Trailblazing Responsible Travel and Inclusive Growth.

To be held from 19 – 28 October 2019 in Metro Manila, PHITEX 2019 will feature business-to-business sessions between foreign buyers and local sellers to encourage an exchange of tourism-related discourse among the participants and open doors for business opportunities. 

Industry leaders will also take part as key resource speakers to discuss new trends in tourism marketing as well as marketing strategies in mature and emerging markets.

PHITEX 2019 will end with post-tours for delegates to introduce the most popular Philippine tourist destinations including the country’s best hotels, accommodations, entertainment venues and business facilities.

Spearheaded by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, PHITEX has been established as the major annual marketing event in the Philippines that further strengthens the country’s brand image and encourages participants to promote affordable and competitive tourism packages. 

Last year’s event was participated by 188 buyers from 29 countries, sellers from 148 companies, and a total of 235 delegates. This year, the TPB is targeting 250 sellers and 250 buyers. 

“PHITEX has always been successful in building bridges to strengthen the country’s relations with the other leaders of the tourism industry,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Tan. “It has also positively affected our image as one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the globe.”

For further information, please log on to https://www.phitex.ph/.

Contacts:

Maria Febbie R. Alacapa                    Ma. Patricia Yulo

Media Relations & Communications Div.                Information Officer

Tourism Promotions Board                    Marketing Communications Department

Tel. +639088907366                        Tel. +6325238960

febbie_alacapa@tpb.gov.ph                    patricia_yulo@tpb.gov.ph

Putting the Philippines at the forefront of global tourism

Over 200 international buyers from 30 countries, together with more than 220 local sellers, converged at the Marriott Grand Ballroom for this year’s Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), one of the biggest and most significant travel trade events in the country. Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), PHITEX puts the Philippines at the forefront of global tourism by strengthening travel and trade opportunities with the international market.

Welcoming the foreign delegates to the event was DOT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, together with TPB officer-in-charge Arnold Gonzales. Lending them a hand were DOT spokesperson Benito Bengzon Jr.; DOT regional director for CAR Venus Tan; DOT assistant secretary Verna Buensuceso; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assistant secretary Leo Herrera-Lim; Department of Transportation assistant secretary Mark Steven Pastor; and Pacific Asia Travel Association – Philippine chapter secretary general Dakila Gonzales.

 Department of Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

Romulo-Puyat said, “PHITEX is the biggest government-hosted trade event in the country. I am sure each of our prospective buyers will love every moment of their stay here in the country especially when they get to experience Filipino hospitality.”

“Our valuable guests are in for a great experience to discovery why it is more fun in the Philippines and why they should include the country in their respective markets’ tour packages,” said Gonzales.

Aside from the business-to-business sessions, the international buyers were also entertained with amazing cultural performances by the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild and Princess Rivera Virtudazo, and were treated to Filipino cuisine prepared by renowned chefs.

Environmentalist Gina Lopez

TPB further impressed the foreign delegates with special tours in Laguna, Tagaytay, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bicol, Ilocos, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Palawan, and Davao.

Through PHITEX, the Philippines takes the spotlight as one of the best destinations in Asia not only for travel and leisure but also for trade, history and culture, lifestyle, entertainment and business opportunities.