DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A three-day fair that promotes domestic tourism would set its second leg here in time for the Kadayawan Festival.
The Regional Travel Fair, to be held on August 16-18 at SM Lanang, is an event initiated by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to promote domestic tourism through providing stakeholders and industry players a venue to transact business among sellers, buyers, and public consumers.
Arnold Gonzales, officer-in-charge of TPB, said domestic tourism makes a substantial contribution to the industry’s overall financial resilience, sustainability and functionality.
“It is in this light that TPB organized the Regional Travel Fair to attract local and foreign tourists and tourism professionals to visit and explore the Philippines,” he said.
According to the latest results of the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA), which provides information on tourism expenditure and employment, domestic tourism expenditures grew by 19.1%, from 1,770.7 billion in 2015 to 2,108.2 billion in 2016. This includes expenditure of resident visitors within the country.
Meanwhile, in 2016, employment in tourism characteristic industries was estimated at 5.2 million, higher by 5.1% compared to 5.0 million in the previous year.
Gonzaga said the TPB, through the Regional Travel Fair, is opening and providing opportunities for those working in domestic tourism to develop a more robust and cohesive approach to the sector.
This fair’s second leg will facilitate a consumer expo showcase dubbed as Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) to be participated by travel tour operators, travel agents, domestic hotels and resorts, destination management companies and domestic airlines from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The TRAVEX is a half day business-to-business top discussion between participating buyers and sellers that will give opportunity to generate direct sales and business leads as well as avenues to network, meet new business partners and renew business deals.
There will also be promo tour packages, discounts on direct flights, and raffle draws to be given during the event.
The first leg of the Regional Travel Fair was held in Legaspi, Albay last May 17-20.
The activity during the first leg of “Tara Na, Pasyal Bayan” was participated in by some 20 buyers and 59 sellers from the travel trade sector, government agencies and local government units.
For the second leg, 35 buyers and 44 sellers already registered and TPB is expecting more participants.
The third and last leg of Regional Travel Fair for this year will be held in Bacolod City, in conjunction with Masskara Festival in October. (davaotoday.com)
