The Philippines reaffirmed this week its commitment to offer a great and fun experience to the participants of the upcoming PATA Travel Mart.
BANGKOK- PATA CEO Martin Craigs and Special Advisor – Events Sheila Leong visited the Philippines’ Department of Tourism to meet up with the head of the office, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr.; Undersecretary Daniel G. Corpuz; Assistant Secretaries Benito C Bengzon Jr. And Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III to discuss clear strategies that both PATA and DOT can undertake to promote PATA Travel Mart 2012 and how to make the best out of the country’s catchy new slogan, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”
“Filipinos are already known to be one of the happiest and warmest people in the world. In fact, Lonely Planet guidebook calls us ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere’,” said Jimenez. He added that the Philippines are perceived as the world’s 8th friendliest country for expatriates – based on the recent Forbes analysis of HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey. “Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it is the Filipinos that will complete your visit and make your travel experience unforgettable,” said Jimenez. “The entire Philippine Department of Tourism, together with the Philippine Host Organising Committee, is committed to ensuring the successful staging of the PATA Travel Mart 2012,” he said.
PATA Travel Mart will take place from September 25-28 at the SMX Convention Center and is expected to attract a high number of professionals to the event. Talking to the newspaper Philippine Star, Undersecretary for Tourism Daniel Corpuz expects that PTM can yield at least US$ 5.2 million in tourism receipts based on a figure of 1,200 delegates spending on average US$ 691 per day for five consecutive days. This is only the second time that PATA hosts its travel mart in Manila. In 1978, Manila was in fact the inaugural venue for the first-ever PTM.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
