22 September 2003
Domestic Package Tours Available at the 14th Philippine Travel Mart
The 14th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) – the largest travel and tourism showcase in the country, slated September 26 to 28 at Clamshell 2, Intramuros, will feature the best domestic package tours at very affordable prices. The event is being spearheaded by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) and is supported by major tourism private organizations, local government units and tourism councils and associations.
Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon said that the biggest sale of vacation deals was the result of his appeal to the tourism stakeholders, specifically the tour operators, to boost domestic tourism during the recently concluded Tourism Related Industries Congress (TRICON). “Our partnership with the private sector is vital to the successful revitalization of our country’s domestic tourism”, he stressed, adding that, “domestic tourism is just as important as international tourism”.
In response to this appeal, PHILTOA President Raquel Boncan revealed that visitors to the Travel Mart can look forward to unbelievable travel bargains, as much as 40% discount on transportation, board, and lodging costs. These bargains are available only during travel and tourism exhibition. “So the public is advised not to let the opportunity pass. After the PTM, they will have to pay standard rates for their vacation trips and treats”, Boncan said.
According to Boncan, various vacation niches will be promoted during the event. These include Fiesta Islands, Wellness and Spa, Eco-Adventures/Sports, Golf, Dive, Best Beaches, Arts and Cultural Heritage, Senior Citizens/Retirees, Youth, Shopping and Entertainment.
The travel extravaganza also coincides with the celebration of the National Tourism Week from September 22-28, and the global recognition of World Tourism Day on September 27, with the more than one hundred member-countries of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) unanimously adopting the theme: “Tourism: A Driving Force for Poverty Alleviation, Job Creation and Social Harmony”.
Along this theme, the tourism chief said that the country’s tourism industry has been one of the major contributors to country’s national economy, generating billions of dollars and creating job opportunities for thousands of Filipinos.
“Our vision in DOT is not only centered in making the Philippines the premier tourist destination in the Asian region, but more importantly, to create jobs and generate revenues that will uplift the quality of life of our people, foster a sense of national pride and accomplishment, and preserve the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage that would lead to social harmony and understanding in the long run”, Gordon enthused.
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