Travel trade event to boost tourism in Philippines

Asia-Pacific

The 6th Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) opened at the Philippine International Convention Center will undoubtedly redound to greatly benefit tourism and the country through the aggressive promotions of the…

The 6th Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) opened at the Philippine International Convention Center will undoubtedly redound to greatly benefit tourism and the country through the aggressive promotions of the various Philippine destinations showcased during the event, according to Philippines Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano said.

More than one hundred International Travel Trade Buyers from all over the world are expected to attend this two-day gathering which is spearheaded by the DOT and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) in cooperation with private organizers from the tourism industry.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) press report this year`s set of buyers will come from Europe, Australia, North America and the Asia-Pacific with Russia and Singapore bringing in the most number of delegates.

Durano said aside from its business component the PHITEX is an excellent opportunity for the foreign buyers and media to experience first hand the country`s top destinations when they go on tour of the country.

As part of the program complimentary tours to Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Davao are offered exclusively to foreign buyers.

Also, the main highlight of the event which is the whole-day business-to-business is expected to provide Philippine travel suppliers an exclusive opportunity to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with foreign travel trade buyers.

Data from the DOT show that foreign visitor arrivals grew by 6.6 percent year-on-year in July 2006, faster than the 3.9 percent growth registered in June, on the back of double-digit increase in tourists from Korea, China and other Asian countries.

The same data revealed that foreign visitors in July totaled 251,884 up from 236,233 in the year-earlier month. Despite this significant gain in the tourism sector, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said there will be no let up in the implementation of economic and fiscal reforms that continue to propel the growth of the economy. (PIA)

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