Travel Madness 2013 girds for influx of foreign carriers

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the travel industry are gearing up for the increased volume of inbound and outbound tourists as they join the forthcoming Travel Madness Expo 2013 in a bid to have their share of the action.

The anticipation of increased tourism business volume comes from the signing by President Aquino of Republic Act 10374 exempting foreign carriers from paying the three-percent common carriers’ tax imposed on passenger traffic, according to Travel Madness organizer Travel Innovators Inc., an organization of industry-leading firms in the tourism sector.

“The Common Carriers’ Tax Act also exempts the foreign carriers from the value-added tax for the transport of passengers. Both exemptions, however, are subject to reciprocity, or if the same tax privileges are available to Philippine carriers in the countries of their counterparts that will fly or sail into the archipelago,” said Pat Alberto, vice president of Travel Innovators and president of Ark Travel Express Inc.

“Nonetheless, the signing of RA 10374 or Common Carriers’ Tax Act practically removes the big stumbling block to the entry of many foreign airlines, and therefore many tourists from all over the world. This means renewed vigor, huge volume, and revenue for all sectors of the economy, thus Travel Madness is being supported by participants and exhibitors even from foreign countries,” Alberto said.

He said all those who had signed up for space in Travel Madness 2013 were eyeing their share of the windfall from the resulting increase in both inbound and outbound travel.  “If you look at the big picture, this is good for the global tourism industry,” Alberto said.

“And add to that positive industry outlook is the growing Philippine market eager to see the world for a price they can afford and just as excited to know that they can find it all in the Travel Madness 2013,” Alberto said.

“So, we are happy to bring both the industry and the market together in a hip and value-for-money celebration of this wonderful tourism development, which is just about to make this second Travel Madness Expo once again the craziest and most innovative sale of the year ever,” Alberto added.

While only on its second year, the expo has gained enormous popularity for “jaw-dropping and out-of-this-world travel deals” that made its last year’s first edition score consistent compliments from their guests and partners in the Philippines and overseas.

The event was simply conceived to help the industry surmount the lean season through advanced bookings from the discount-conscious and price-sensitive market.

To the organizers’ pleasant surprise, however, the turnout was phenomenal and overwhelming, more than enough to tide the industry over the lean months and help usher in a banner year.

All the more surprised were the visitors who found themselves grabbing every bargain offer possible because of their “unbelievable” rock-bottom prices.

Another attraction is the expo’s trademark raffle draw, the Extreme Madness Hour, featuring drop-down-low travel deals popping out during tops of the hour.

Yet, Alberto said this year’s Travel Madness will go even crazier than it has ever been, as she acknowledges the support of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Philippine Airlines, Duty Free Philippines, Skycable-TLC, Resorts World Singapore, Smart Communications, Air Asia, and many more. 

The expo is slated for a three-day run on July 12-14 at the SMX Convention Center Halls 3 & 4, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

For more information, contact Travel Innovators at 02 311-7500, 02 810-4520 or 02 313-7276 or e-mail at travelmadnessexpo@gmail.com.