Tour-rific deals at Travel Expo 2012

MANILA, Philippines - All roads may as well lead to the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City on Feb. 17-19 when the three-day 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012 gets rolling. Bigger and better — you bet! — than last year’s expo, this one-stop shop to the world is a must-see for assorted travel bugs and budgetarians. Consider the following overwhelming attractions:

• The ultimate shopping destination for the best travel deals, there will be 477 booths showcasing the products/services of 237 companies.

• All exhibitors are offering the least possible priced tours and huge discounts on travel packages, products, and services. How huge? For instance, think three glorious days and two scintillating nights in Boracay with one night free at only P3,700 (twin sharing) per person.

• Participating is probably the widest selection yet of tourism-related companies including airline companies, cruise operators, domestic tour operators, government agencies, embassies, national tourism organizations, hotels and resorts, international tour operators, and travel shops.

• This year’s expo edition will have 237 tourism-related companies from the Philippines, Asia, Middle East, North and South America, Africa, South Africa, Australia, Eastern Europe, and Europe.

Tropical playground: The Misibis Bay in Albay is a luxury island hideaway on a pristine stretch of beach. Photo from misibisbay.com

• It is supported by the Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines as the official carrier, Citibank as the official credit card partner and platinum sponsor, and Globe, among other sponsors.

• Hear this: Partner/beneficiary for this year’s expo is the OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit). Because while we’re promoting sites, our arts & culture need a push, too. The inimitable Mitch Valdez, speaking on behalf of the OPM artists, was singing a happy tune when she left the Peking Garden restaurant in Greenbelt 5 where the expo launch was held.

• And yes, it’s open to the public for a minimal entrance fee of P50 and only P20 for senior citizens. Kids below 10 years old are free.

“We’re looking at 68,000 to 75,000 trade visitors this year,” says John Paul Cabalza, Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) executive vice president. “Last year, we generated P301M in total sales, but after the three-day expo, there were also items sold, which were also a lot, so I’d say another 100 percent was sold in the respective offices. Tourism is bullish this year and we expect a 10-percent increase in revenue over last year.”

In terms of visitor arrivals, last year we had 3.9 million; for 2012, we expect 4.2 million.

And what can tourists, both domestic and international, expect this year?

Oh, a whole lot!

All aboard: Seated are PTAA trustees Mary T. Chua and Ma. Paz R. Alberto. Standing are Marciano C. Ragaza, vice president for outbound Josefina C. Baena, Monica Anne J. Dela Cruz, Marlene Dado Jante, Maria Pacita Jose, secretary general Ma. Bella M. Cantada, president Aileen C. Clemente, assistant treasurer Dante Renato E. Calma Jr., vice president for inbound Fe Abling Yu, Maucie L. Cuna, treasurer Lulu V. Velasco, Frank J. Khouri, executive vice president John Paul M. Cabalza.

“We’re trying to push out-of-the-ordinary spots now,” asserts John Paul. “One is Batanes, with its Ivatan stone houses and where the radio station you will hear is from Taiwan. Another one is Baler that’s known for its waterfalls and surfing. Then there’s a new destination being pushed by the local government of Danao, which is a two-hour scenic drive out of Tagbilaran, Bohol, where you have the adventure tours. They call it EAT Danao, meaning Eco Adventure Tour Danao.”

What’s EAT all about?

“They have the ‘suislide’ where couples can do the zip line together from one mountain to another and then go back,” comes John Paul’s reply. “Next is the plunge, where you swing from mountain to mountain like a pendulum.”

Now, that may be too extreme for you and me, but I’m sure there are a gazillion other less risky things the less stouthearted can enjoy on our more than 7,000 islands.

But of course, there are the culinary-cum-culture adventures that the tour operators offer. They’re guaranteed to broaden your horizons as well as your waistline. For instance, there’s Claude Tayag’s five ways to serve lechon in Angeles, Pampanga. Talk about pigging out!

Bird of prey: The Philippine Eagle or monkey-eating eagle is endemic to Philippine forests.

“Cagayan Valley is also fast growing,” shares Aileen Clemente, PTAA president. “With its marine life, it is being promoted as an eco tourist site. Bataan is also very aggressive. Aside from being the scene of the Death March during World War II, there are old houses there which are historical sites.”

To which John Paul adds, “In Region 2, they wanted to build the Cagayan Economic Zone, where there would be casinos, hotels, eco tours in nearby islands with the locals as guides.”

Yes, it’s more fun in the Philippines!

Aileen notes, “A slogan is a slogan, but what are the programs supporting it? Is the national tourism development plan already aligned with the slogan? It’s very experiential so the acid test is: Are we able to deliver? There are different strategies for the different dimensions of the market. It’s niche-targeted, you know who you want to promote to. And what activities to promote — adventure, beach, health & wellness, something for the retirement market.”

She stresses, “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, it’s a matter of putting things together for better appreciation. That’s what PTAA is doing, and I know other associations are also doing the same. I think we all realize that tourism is something where we should put our efforts together, not apart.”

Now, isn’t that simply tour-rific?   

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For more information, call the event manager, Fairs & More at 845-1324/759-6680 or the PTAA Secretariat at 552-0026 to 29.

High adventure: The Dahilayan Adventure Park in Cagayan de Oro is famous for its longest dual zip line with the cables measuring a total of 2,460 meters.