Its not my first time to visit a travel tour expo, but my experience from the recent Travel Tour Expo 2016 by the PTAA (Philippine Travel Agencies Association) is much different from the previous years, Its a big lesson for me that I should be patronizing the travel offer and deals because its much more cheaper, affordable and the deals are so good.
I just reformatted my experience and consider this as my first ever Travel Tour Expo attendance last Feb 5-7, 2016, because the travel offerings are much more wider and lots of participants showcased their deals and packages for three days and now I understand why the local tourist are so excited about this because this is a good place where you can book your travel and accommodation for the coming summer 2016.
Teens, parents, grandparents and world travelers are all here lining up for hours and waiting patiently to enter the grand hall of SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. I even spotted our travel blogger friends who lined up since 9am just to enter the venue early and score some good deals.
My friends who worked in hotels and resort are all there, and they've advised me that their deals are only offered here at the Travel Tour Expo 2016.
The event showcased a total of 306 exhibitors from various sectors of hotels, resorts, airlines, domestic tour operators, national tourism organizations, travel agencies and stakeholders. All of them offer products, destinations, and travel packages with discounted rates.
This year the Travel Tour Expo 2016 was joined by various foreign travel agency and operators --- Asia Exotic Tours, CVT Travel Services, Continental (HR) Travel Services Go India Journey, Rediscover India Nepal Bhutan Tours, Creative Travel PVT, India Tourism, Singapore, Anerka Kartika - Surubaya, Ministri of Indonesia, Caminoways.com and VeredHasharon Travel Group, ASia Tours, Annunciation Travel and Tourism,Matsumoto Tourism Association, Prince Hotels, De Voyager Global Tours SOn Bho, Crown Tours Maldives, Tourism New Zealand, Azalea Hotels and Residences, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, Fil Estate Urband Devt Corp., areCitytours Pte, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, UMT Travel, Peinte, Venue and Concept Tourism, Discovery Travel LLC, Saigon Hanoi Travel and Trading Co, Pranav Tourism, Taisan Tours and TravelHQInc.
"While there is still so much to accomplish, we are definitely on the right track. As your legislator, I invite you to join me in pushing for measures to further protect and promote Philippine natural and man made resources, which make the country among the world's top destinations for tourist"
- Senator Sonny Angara
"This year, as we embark on a new section, we hope to achieve the best deals from among those who will participate. Tagged as Two Grand Travel Events as One, we will endeavor to maximize the best of each event"
- Michelle Victoria, PTAA President and TTE 2016 Chairperson
"Our community has now become larger to include the neighboring ASEAN countries. In this light, how do we entice the Filipino traveler, through our tour products, to first explore Philippine touristic, historical and cultural sites, so as to make him better appreciate our country as part of the larger community of the ASEAN? With this new opportunity to make the tourism industry a bigger contributor to the economy and at the same time, the preservation of the country's patrimony, I congratulate the Philippine Travel Agencies Association on their 23rd Travel Tour Expo 2016 and look forward to continuously working with the PTAA towards an enlightened development of our tourism resource"
- Ramon Jimenez, Secretary of Department of Tourism.
Last 2015, the tourism industry earned a total of USD 5 billion in profits, for this year 2016, it is expected that the country will have 6 million travelers and visitors. The PTAA and its partners and allied organizations will rally behind the travel sector to stay competitive amid the changing landscape of travel
Me with Ted and Enzo.
We're not prepared to score deals, but our visit and coverage made us realize that we should save up and hoard some travel deals next year here at the Travel Tour Expo.
so it means that....see you again at Travel Tour Expo 2017
Spotted some people in cultural costume.
The long line at SMX MOA
Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon “Chicoy” Enerio III
at the stage of Travel Tour Expo 2016.
host of the event
Senator Angara on stage
Wow! that's 44.1 million domestic tourust for 2013.
A report by Senator Angara -- he showed that Baler, Aurora is getting more better as a popular tourist spot for local and foreigner and surfers.
At the keynote address, we heard that Philippine Airlines will fly soon to Aurora, Quezon.
PTAA members
At the entrance, here I saw the booth of Jeju, Island of South Korea
the label says it all
No Visa requirement if you plan to visit Jeju island.
Airfare packages
I took some flyers and guides from the tavel expo booths
This flyers will serve as my guide when I plan a visit to these sites
Rate....
Bacalicasag Island Dive Resort
Listing this to my list.. I want to travel to Caraga
I just learned that day tours in Misibis Bay are still operational for a price of PHP 1700, day tour and transpo-transfer via land and RORO.
I learned a little late, that Lancaster Hotel in Shaw Blvd is offering this special hotel rates
Icon Hotel in QC offers use of their swimming pool
Sabangan rates
Good deal to travel to Puerto Princesa.
You can do lots of things at Island Cove
Island Cove booth
At the Azalea Residences booth
Rates of Punta Fuego
Overflowing crowd at Sky Jet.
(I forgot to take a pic of the booth crowd)
Super cheap hotel stay via Go Hotels
My visist at The Discovery Leisure Company booth
Visit their FB and website for posting of lower travel deals
Crowded booth at 2Go Travel
I caught a glimpse of Astoria Boracay booth.
