Fun games, stage shows to kick off Travel Madness Expo

MANILA, Philippines - The Travel Madness Expo 2013 opens at Halls 3 and 4 of the SMX Convention Center Manila at 10 a.m. today with fun games and stage performances to enliven the ribbon-cutting rites by top government and industry leaders.

The opening rites will be led by Tourism Assistant Secretary for Market Development Benito Bengzon Jr., Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla, Duty Free Philippines chief operating officer Lorenzo Formoso, and the top executives of TLC-Skycable, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Philippine Airlines (PAL), and event organizer Travel Innovators Inc. (TII).

The performances by the Amazing Show, Pagoda Philippines and Lion Dancers, according to TII president Raymond Tee, will showcase the joy of the traveling public in having the second Travel Madness expo offering unbelievable discounts from the entire tourism industry.

“The huge discounts will come from the Travel Madness exhibitors representing all industry sectors and offering various tourism products and services — from airfares to hotel accommodations, cruises and complete travel packages, and all other essential and incidental consumer requirements,” Tee said.

The exhibitors include three foreign governments, 18 airlines, 23 big travel companies and 20 lifestyle firms, including international theme parks Resorts World Sentosa, Ocean Park Hong Kong and Resorts World Manila, among many others.

There will also be a fashion show by famous designers John Paras, Ann Ong, and Kim Gan at 6 p.m. tomorrow, and prizes from raffle draws at the Extreme Madness Hour at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily during the expo’s three-day run.

“And to further perk up the event are fun games from TLC-Skycable partners, Hong Kong Disneyland, Cebu Pacific and PAL,” TII vice president Pat Alberto said.

“Moreover, the guests, while having a good time travel shopping, will be treated to live performances by the famous Arriba and Mulatto bands and the world-class trio male vocal group Primo, courtesy of Resorts World Manila,” Alberto added.

Travel Madness culminates on Sunday, which starts with a Mass at 9 a.m.

The expo has gained enormous popularity for “jaw-dropping and out-of-this-world travel deals” that made its last year’s first edition reap praises from guests and partners in the Philippines and overseas.

The visitors found themselves grabbing bargain offers at “unbelievable” prices, with freebies from the expo’s Extreme Madness Hour raffle draws, and shockingly drop-down-low travel deals popping out within the hour.

Still, Alberto said this year’s Travel Madness will go even crazier than it has ever been, as she acknowledges the support of TLC-Skycable, BPI, PAL, Air Asia, Duty Free Philippines and many more.