The much awaited travel and tourism event marks 30 Years of offering experiential exhibits and great destination sales.
It’s time to seek new adventures and discover exciting places to explore at the Philippine Travel Mart 2019, which will be held at the SMX Convention Center from August 30 to September 1, 2019.
The Philippine Travel Mart, which started purely as an exhibit initiative under the Department of Tourism 30 years ago, has since grown to become the longest-running and most exciting interactive exposition of Philippine destinations with new surprises available each year.
This 2019, it taps into the vibrant youth-driven market with its experiential exhibits, affordable tour packages, and novel destinations that are sure to fill bucket lists and fulfil #travelgoals.
Explore New Destinations
With the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) as the organizer of the Philippine Travel Mart since 1989, the exhibits and packages presented by the LGU and industry partners are well-curated to highlight different destinations within the country and in other Asian countries, with products and packaged that keep sustainable tourism and community engagement in mind.
As the Philippine Travel Mart has long built a reputation of trust among travelers for partnering with reputable agencies that offer exciting packages for familiar destinations, the PHILTOA’s mission with each PTM event is likewise to highlight new discoveries for travellers to explore.
This year, the Sale ng Bayan, which offers up to 70% off on travel packages, accommodations, and airfare will be including brand new destinations.
Travelers can now fully enjoy a Palawan stay, with connectivity activations for El Nido, San Vicente, and Puerto Princesa.
Another exciting development is the roll out of a tour package for Tawi -Tawi and Zamboanga, which unveils the natural beauty of the region and its cultural and culinary treasures.
It will also promote Camiguin as a Sunrise to Sunset destination, with a full day of activities that will bring visitors closer to nature through the seaside and terrain attractions of the island.
With the ASEAN integration, there are also tour packages available for South East Asian countries with easy access to exotic locations such as Bali, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh. Packagaes are likewise available for popular destinations in Japan, China, and Korea.
Seek Diverse Adventures
This year, there will be no less 250 exhibitors ranging from tours and travel agencies, hotels/resorts, theme parks, airlines, provincial and regional to occupy the 4 halls of the SMX Convention Center, which are divided into different zones to highlight the diversity of
the different tourism products available at the much-awaited event and to provide guests with easy access to the adventures that await them.
The Yellow Zone will host MICE and Entertainment products, while the Blue Zone is the place to seek for fun under the sun with Beach, Cruise, and Marine Sports offerings.
The Green Zone highlights exposures in Cultural and Farm Tourism, while the Pink Zone has Health and Wellness as well as Culinary packages that have become very popular with budding foodies through the years.
The tourism fair also goes high-tech, as this year’s Philippine Travel Mart Theme of “Fostering Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism”, is supported by the use of vibrant electronic billboards in replacement of traditional tarpaulins.
Visitors can also scan the QR codes of exhibitors to find their locations as well as conduct paperless transactions.
Experience Proudly Pinoy Culture
Aside from the festive exhibits, the Philippine Travel Mart has also become known for hosting various activities that promote Filipino culture and indigenous products from the different regions of the country.
This year is no exception, with the staging of cultural events in the form of school-based competitions in Eco Chorale, Himig ng Kundiman, Patimpalak ng Kasuotang Pilipino, Cultural Dance and the Philippine Tourism Quiz Bee Finals.
The exhibits and activities by the different regions are also a closer look into their culture.
A fashion show will be staged in honor of the banig weavers of Basey, Samar with apparel and accessories highlighting their colourful, handmade products, and a cultural dance presentation by the Leyte-based Kalipayan Dance Troupe which will have its first major performance at the PTM as it recovers from the effects of Typhoon Yolanda on their costumes and props.
The Capiz booth will feature its agricultural tourism through live ducks flown in from the province, and an interactive game of catch-the-crab.
To view the Philippines from a foreigner’s perspective, popular Youtuber Kulas of Becoming Filipino will be giving a talk on what he loves most about traveling through the country.
He will be joined by other advocates in sustainable and inclusive tourism from among the government sector at the PTM opening.
Last year’s Philippine Travel Mart showcased 294 Booths, with 257 exhibitors. There were 47, 449 guests and exhibitors’ Reported Sales were at P69,353,315. PHILTOA looks forward to another successful event with PTM 2019.
For information on event schedules, exhibitors, and updates on the 30th Philippine Travel Mart, visit www.philtoa.com
