PTAA BRINGS SANTACRUZAN 2026 TO THE NATION

Philippine Travel Agencies Association partners with the Department of Tourism and actress Winwyn Marquez to stage a landmark cultural tourism event this May

​MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) will hold a General Membership Meeting and Press Conference on April 28, 2026 at the Museo de Intramuros, Manila, to formally launch its flagship cultural event, Santacruzan 2026, set to take place on May 22, 2026.

​Special guests at the press conference include celebrated actress and beauty queen Winwyn Marquez and an official representative from the Department of Tourism (DOT). Their participation underscores the significance of Santacruzan 2026 not just as a cultural celebration, but as a major driver of national tourism.

​As the country’s leading organization of travel agencies, PTAA has positioned itself at the forefront of national tourism initiatives — championing events that bring both local and international visitors to experience the depth and richness of Filipino heritage. Santacruzan 2026 is the clearest expression of that mission: a world-class cultural spectacle rooted in faith, tradition, and national identity.

​The partnership with the Department of Tourism reflects a shared commitment to making cultural tourism a cornerstone of the Philippines’ visitor economy. Together, PTAA and the DOT aim to elevate Santacruzan 2026 as a signature event on the national tourism calendar, drawing travelers from across the country and around the world.

​Santacruzan 2026 is made possible in partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), one of the country’s most trusted financial institutions. The partnership with BPI reflects a growing alignment between the business sector and the cultural tourism agenda — recognizing that investing in heritage events is investing in the Filipino nation.

​In support of local tourism professionals, PTAA will also partner with DOT-accredited tour guide and guide associations to provide curated guided tours of Intramuros in conjunction with the Santacruzan celebrations. This initiative puts local guides — whose livelihoods are deeply tied to cultural and heritage tourism — front and center during one of the year’s most significant events, ensuring they are supported and uplifted alongside the celebration.

Beyond Santacruzan 2026, PTAA is placing a deliberate focus on fiestas and religious events as key pillars of Filipino local travel. These celebrations — deeply woven into the spiritual andcommunal fabric of Philippine life — are among the country’s most compelling and authentic tourism draws. PTAA is actively working to package and promote these events to encourage Filipinos to discover their own heritage, while supporting local communities and economies across the archipelago.

Winwyn Marquez’s involvement brings both visibility and cultural resonance to the event. A celebrated figure in Philippine entertainment known for her advocacy for Filipino arts and culture, Marquez embodies the spirit of the Santacruzan — grace, heritage, and national pride.

Complementing these initiatives is Lakbay, PTAA’s dedicated business-to-business (B2B) platform connecting travel agencies with local tourism suppliers from across the Philippines. Lakbay serves as a vital marketplace where local suppliers — from provincial tour operators and homestay providers to regional festival and cultural experience organizers — can forge direct partnerships with travel agencies nationwide. The platform reinforces PTAA’s commitment to strengthening the entire local tourism supply chain, ensuring that the benefits of cultural tourism reach communities at every level of the archipelago.

Members of the media, industry stakeholders, and the public are invited to attend the April 28 press conference at Museo de Intramuros to learn more about Santacruzan 2026 and PTAA’s broader agenda for Philippine tourism this year.

TIEZA’s 16-Year Legacy of Transforming the Travel Tax Into Tourism Development

18 November 2025, Pasay City, Philippines — Since its establishment in 2009, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has emerged as a key driver of tourism-led growth, harnessing the power of the Philippine Travel Tax to fund sustainable infrastructure, attract private investments, and uplift local communities across the country.

Over the past 16 years, TIEZA has redefined how tourism development contributes to nation-building and how every traveler’s contribution can transform into lasting impact through projects that enhance accessibility, preserve heritage, and promote inclusive growth.

Building the Foundations of Tourism

Between 2021 and 2025, TIEZA implemented over 200 tourism infrastructure projects nationwide, improving access, safety, and sustainability in key and emerging destinations. Among its flagship accomplishments is the rollout of 34 Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) across major travel corridors  — modern facilities designed to enhance traveler comfort through clean restrooms, tourism information centers, and spaces that promote local products. This initiative earned international recognition as the TRAs were named “Infrastructure Project of the Year (Tourism Category)” at the GovMedia Awards 2024 in Singapore.

TIEZA also spearheaded the rehabilitation of heritage and flagship tourism assets, including the Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel in Ifugao, Mount Data Hotel in the Cordilleras, and the Gat Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-Tourism Park in Cavite. It likewise preserved historical landmarks such as the Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor and Escuela Pia in Batangas, supporting the growth of cultural and educational tourism.

“Our role as the builder of tourism infrastructure goes beyond construction, enhancement, and rehabilitation. It’s about connection. Every facility we build connects travelers to destinations and communities to new opportunities,” said TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid.

Driving Investments and Sustainability

TIEZA continues to strengthen the tourism economy by developing Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs)  — strategic areas that offer fiscal incentives to tourism-related enterprises. These incentives include Income Tax Holidays, Gross Income Tax in lieu of national taxes, and VAT and duty exemptions, which create a business-friendly environment that encourages both domestic and foreign investments.

Flagship TEZs in San Vicente (Palawan), Panglao Bay Premiere (Bohol), Rizal Park (Manila), and Corregidor Island (Cavite) are now emerging as sustainable, world-class tourism hubs designed to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

In 2024, TIEZA also signed a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Premier Islands Management Corporation (PIMC) for the management of the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center (APICC)  — a model of efficiency and innovation in government asset management.

That same year, TIEZA’s partnerships generated ₱104 million in revenue, marking a 14.29% year-on-year increase from ₱91 million in 2023. These earnings are reinvested into infrastructure development and community livelihood programs, ensuring that tourism growth remains inclusive and sustainable.

Tourism Assets That Thrive

TIEZA’s own tourism assets have shown exceptional growth, proving the agency’s effective management approach. In 2024, the Club Intramuros Golf Course in Manila generated ₱79.3 million in gross revenue, which marked a 2.98% increase from its ₱76.9 million revenue in 2023, a steady increase since the pandemic.

As one of the oldest golf courses in the country, it stands out as one of the most successful and enduring government assets under the management of TIEZA. Its status as a thriving tourism asset is deeply grounded not only in its operational strengths but also in its cultural value, accessibility, and its contribution to Manila’s tourism and economic growth.

Other flagship assets including the Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park in Zamboanga City and Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province have consistently seen significant performance improvements in recent years driven by upgraded facilities, sustainability measures, and stronger local partnerships.

Recognitions and Reforms in Public Service

TIEZA’s institutional reforms have been recognized nationally and internationally. In 2024, the agency received the Civil Service Commission’s Bronze Award (Level 2 PRIME-HRM) for organizational excellence and achieved ISO 9001:2015 recertification, reinforcing its culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

That same year, TIEZA co-presented the Philippine Tourism and Hotel Investment Summit 2024, which convened over 200 business and industry leaders to strengthen the country’s tourism investment ecosystem through infrastructure innovation and policy alignment.

A Vision for the Next Decade

Looking ahead to its 20th year and the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028, TIEZA is set to expand its portfolio of sustainable tourism projects, modernize travel facilities, and deepen collaboration with the private sector.

“Our story is one of service and sustainability,” Lapid said. “The goal is not just to welcome more tourists, but to ensure that every destination we develop empowers the Filipino communities behind them.”

By turning the Philippine Travel Tax into a force for national development, TIEZA continues to deliver on its mission of Building Tourism Together.

For more information, visit https://tieza.gov.ph or follow @TIEZAOfficial on Facebook and @tiezagovph on Instagram and X for updates on TIEZA’s services and digital initiatives.

OPPO and the Department of Tourism Forge Milestone Collaboration to Showcase the Beauty of the Philippines

Leading global smart device brand OPPO and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have officially sealed a landmark partnership to strengthen the local tourism industry by showcasing scenic Philippine destinations through the lens of OPPO’s most innovative and cutting-edge smartphone technologies.

Under the banner “OPPO Loves The Philippines,” the collaboration reflects a shared vision to inspire the world to discover countless reasons to Love the Philippines through stunning, authentic, and AI-empowered visual storytelling. 

It aims to highlight the country’s diverse and often unexplored destinations—including less-known freshwater and underwater attractions—through captivating imagery and user-generated content across digital platforms.

“OPPO Philippines believes technology should serve people and strengthen communities. This landmark partnership with the Department of Tourism allows us to fulfill our desire to uplift lives. We are here to help more people see the Philippines the way Filipinos do,” said Joanarc Sales, Associate Marketing Director of OPPO Philippines.

The partnership will leverage OPPO’s creator community and content production expertise through targeted skill-building initiatives for the DOT network—equipping tourism teams with both the tools and knowledge to champion tourism as a digital movement that celebrates the country.

“The ceremonial signing between the Department of Tourism and OPPO honors and symbolizes our united commitment to pursue tourism advocacies that ultimately contribute to nation-building. This partnership is anchored on the DOT’s advocacies of sustainability, responsible tourism, inclusiveness in our tourism promotion and development, and effective communications,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

As part of this initiative, OPPO will equip the DOT’s Tourist Rest Areas with advanced technologies to enhance convenience, safety, and the overall traveler experience. Tourism Information Desks will become one-stop hubs offering real-time updates and assistance through OPPO’s IoT solutions, while Hop-On Hop-Off Tours will benefit from smarter, more seamless mobility innovations powered by OPPO’s smart ecosystem.

For OPPO, the partnership reinforces its broader commitment to nation-building and cultural appreciation. By enabling local content creators, tourism workers, and communities to produce compelling digital narratives, OPPO aims to spark renewed pride in the Philippines’ rich natural and cultural heritage.

This collaboration marks a new chapter where innovation meets passion for place—where every photo, every story, and every shared moment helps the world deepen its appreciation for the wonders of the Philippines.

For more updates, visit www.oppo.com/ph/ or follow OPPO Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Solaire Resort North Shines Bright with Hyun Bin for the Yuletide Season

Merriment and magic begin at Solaire Resort North marked by the brilliant lights that shone during its recent Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Laughter and cheer echoed through the Atrium Lobby as residents of Quezon City and beyond gathered for this special celebration.

Guests of honor who graced the event were Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, Department of Tourism – National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director Ivan Agote, Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Vice Chairman for Construction and Regulatory Affairs Donato Almeda, and Solaire Resort North’s very own Chief Operating Officer Damian Quayle.

Hosted by Carla Guevara Laforteza, the ceremony encapsulated the true meaning of Christmas with performances by the country’s premiere dance company, Ballet Philippines, as well as the breathtaking croons and serenades of the Ambassadors for Christ Chamber Singers. The presence of patrons and passersby amplified the reveling as the Christmas Tree lit the lobby up alongside the elegant Mangrove of Solaire Resort North.

During the ceremony, the Department of Tourism (DOT) awarded Solaire Resort North with a plaque officiating its status as a 5-star property. The Quezon City-based integrated resort earned its title from the DOT last July 2025, solidifying its reputation as the premiere luxury destination in Northern Metro Manila. With a commitment to exceptional service, refined elegance, and globally competitive standards, each holiday celebration at Solaire Resort North is made special. 

For the festive season, Solaire shines even brighter alongside South Korean actor Hyun Bin as its newest brand ambassador. From exclusive holiday dining options, festive activities for the whole family, and luxurious staycations, the next Christmas celebration is guaranteed to be full of joy and fulfillment for everyone.

Continue the most jubilant time of the year with Solaire Resort North as festivities run throughout the season. Feel the warmth from the captivating choir performances at the Atrium beginning November 15, every weekend until Christmas Day. Make a wish with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as he roams the halls with his holly jolly laugh for all.

This season, experience the magic of making holiday wishes come true for the next holiday celebration, from feasts with loved ones to well-deserved escapes, all at Solaire Resort North. For reservations and inquiries, visit sn.solaireresort.com/all-i-want-for-christmas or call +632 8888 8888 to join in creating more magical memories at Solaire.

The Manila Hotel Receives Tourism Pillar Excellence Award at the 1st Philippine Tourism Awards

The Manila Hotel has been honored with the Tourism Pillar Excellence Award at the first-ever Philippine Tourism Awards, organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) under the leadership of Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. The recognition highlights outstanding contributions to the tourism industry, with a focus on excellence, sustainability, and innovation.

A landmark in Philippine history, The Manila Hotel was cited for its enduring legacy and its pivotal role in shaping the country’s tourism landscape. The accolade underscores the hotel’s commitment to preserving its storied heritage while evolving to meet the needs of the modern traveler.

“It is with immense pride and gratitude that we accept this award from the Department of Tourism,” said Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel. “This recognition reaffirms our belief that true hospitality lies in creating unforgettable experiences, from a warm welcome at the door, to impeccable service at every touchpoint, to the genuine attention extended to every guest. This award belongs not only to The Manila Hotel, but to the legacy of Filipino hospitality we strive to share with the world.”

The Philippine Tourism Awards—the first of its kind—aim to honor institutions and individuals that elevate Philippine tourism on the global stage. This platform paid tribute to enterprises that laid the foundations of Philippine tourism—pioneers and establishments that have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth over the years.

For The Manila Hotel, the Tourism Pillar Excellence Award stands as both a celebration of its rich heritage and a testament to its unwavering commitment to service excellence. For over a century, The Manila Hotel has stood as a symbol of Filipino pride, service, and hospitality. Today, it continues to uphold its legacy as the true heart of the Philippines. 

DOT and BOI Finalized Incentives to Tourism Firms’ COVID-19-Proofing Investments

Responding to a request from Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the Board of Investments (BOI) has approved investment incentives for tourism and tourism-related industries that are upgrading and modernizing their facilities aimed at ensuring the health, safety and wellness of their clients in view of the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recognize that the tourism sector has been one of the worst affected of all the major sectors of the economy due to the current health crisis. By way of providing investment incentives, we hope the sector, which was a major driver of the economy’s growth pre-Covid-19, will stay afloat, continue their business operations, and recover the soonest they can,” said Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez.

Following discussions with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on the tourism stakeholders’ plea on the possible measures to ensure continuity of their business operations, the BOI crafted and approved the policy to help the tourism sector. The tax incentives to be granted by BOI are income tax holiday for a period of three years and duty-free importation of capital equipment (only VAT will be paid) for tourism projects that will renovate to enhance health and safety features and processes. The income tax holiday to be given will be pro-rated according to the amount of upgrade/renovation.

“Tourist accommodation facilities who would like to undertake improvements to make their facilities COVID-proof may consider registration of such with the BOI as modernization projects subject to qualification requirements,” Secretary Lopez said. “For existing tourism accommodation facilities in Boracay, which is currently covered by the locational restriction policy, the BOI will look into the possibility of likewise qualifying their COVID-proof improvements as modernization projects that may be entitled to a three-year income tax holiday (ITH) incentive.”

“While we currently have locational restrictions for new and expansion of tourism facilities in Boracay, we may qualify modernization of those in the area. All these, to help the tourism industry recover faster and provide comfort/safety in our tourism facilities,” he said.

Tourism enterprises that are eligible to apply for investment incentives include hotels and resorts, meetings, international conventions, and events (MICE) facilities, and tourist transport companies nationwide, including those in Boracay.

For tourist transport, these should be locally-assembled vehicles with sanitation features. The motor vehicles to be acquired or to be upgraded/modernized will have such sanitation and hygiene features including but not limited to barriers, payment portals, deionizers, seat organizers for sanitation kits, and other features that would promote physical distancing.

Examples of renovations/upgrade that can qualify for such tax incentives include renovation of guestrooms, food and beverage outlets, function/meeting rooms, recreation areas and/or other common areas; investment in new or upgrade of laundry, kitchen, housekeeping, employee facilities and other back of house facilities; building of full, partial or movable partitions; installation of built-in thermal scanners, hygiene gates, and/or booths; upgrade or improvement of ventilation, air conditioning, air filtration systems, water systems, water treatment facilities (STP); a mobile check-in system; non-touch or no contact door lock systems and non-touch control panels in elevators and other areas.

“The BOI will continue to work closely with the DOT in the review of our relevant policies to provide the necessary support to our tourism stakeholders and restore industry vigor and growth at the soonest possible time,” Secretary Lopez said.

The BOI has been supportive of the local tourism industry, implementing many initiatives to further improve the sector’s competitiveness. Just early this year, pre-COVID-19, it conducted capacity building activities on securing international certifications for particularly for the medical travel and wellness tourism sector with the aim of making the industry prepared not only for the growing needs of the Filipinos, but also for the growing opportunities in the medical tourism industry. The capacity-building initiatives support and help enable the healthcare facilities and services, especially those licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) and/or accredited by the DOT.

The capacity-building is part of the many initiatives the BOI is implementing to further develop globally competitive industries through its Industry Development Program (IDP). The Roadmap on Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism was completed in 2015 with the active participation of relevant stakeholders.

Among the recommendations in the Roadmap are the implementation of a uniform system of data collection, analysis and dissemination and the development of a brand strategy for the country. The capacity building activities seeks to ensure that the sector, prior to the brand strategy launch, will have the right healthcare facilities that are internationally recognized and accredited that can multiply the people-value the country is known for.

TPB Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Re-Accreditation

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines once again proves its commitment towards the continuous improvement of its management systems by successfully maintaining its ISO 9001:2015 certification. The audit performed by the Certification International Philippines, Inc. showed that the quality management systems in place at TPB has seen remarkable improvements and discovered no non-conformities in the organization's existing processes on design, development and provision of Philippine tourism marketing and promotions versus the ISO standards. An attached agency of the Department of Tourism, TPB exists to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination.

La Filipina Gives Hope to Filipino Athletes with its First Power Up Run

The maker of the only corned pork in the Philippines, La Filipina, starts the year 2020 by doing its first-ever Fun Run aptly titled “Power Up Run” on February 23, 2020, at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

True to its brand name, the local brand of corned pork and luncheon meat products takes you to the historical landmarks of Fort Santiago and Intramuros not only to make it more interesting to the runners but also a unique way of promoting the Philippines’ history and culture. This run is made possible in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Intramuros Administration (IA).

Coming from the brand’s tagline, “Power Up with La Filipina”, Power Up Run encourages everyone to start your day right by eating protein-rich breakfast like La Filipina’s Corned Pork or Luncheon Meat. These meals bring power to your performance whether you do a sport or any regular activity that you have for the day.

La Filipina products are protein-rich and infused with milk. Unlike other canned meat products, La Filipina products do not use any extenders and trans fats, making them healthier meal alternatives.

La Filipina understands that other than choosing a healthy meal, engaging in physical activities is vital to keep everything in balance. “The company values its consumers; thus, we give them an opportunity to be healthy in a fun way,” tells Ms. Danika Co, La Filipina’s Brand Manager

Apart from promoting tourism, history, health, and fitness, the run’s utmost goal is to extend help to aspiring Filipino athletes and teams who possess enormous potential to represent the country in different sports; however, they could not do so due to insufficient financial support.

“We like to encourage both athletes and non-athletes to help support the cause of La Filipina in supporting Filipino sports teams,” says Ms. Co.

The proceeds from this worthwhile project will aid selected sports teams to continue training for their chosen sport.

At present, La Filipina is supporting teams in various sports such as volleyball, basketball, Sepak Takraw, Dragon Boat and dance. Aside from helping La Filipina’s existing Sports Teams, they will also support the GBM Squad, a group of young athletes that focuses on running, from public schools of Manila, Valenzuela, and Quezon City.

The La Filipina Power Up Run offers various distance runs to choose from – 1.5K, 3K, 5K, and 10K. Race fees are as follows: P500.00 for 1.5K, P550.00 for 3K, P650.00 for 5K, and P760.00 for 10K. Corporate promo such as 10+1 and student discounts are also available. All runners will get singlet, racebib, finisher’s medal, and La Filipina loot bag. There are also other fun activities during the run itself like inflatables, etc.

Registration is now open. Register at La Filipina’s official Facebook page. You may also visit the official on-site registration partner, Chris Sports at their selected branches – Robinsons Place Ermita, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North-Annex, and Glorietta.

For more information about La Filipina’s Power Up Run, you may contact Ms. Nikka Ramos of Aldenver Marketing, the official PR and Marketing Partner of La Filipina Power Up Run at 0927-8484533 or 0918-8133333. You can send your queries about this run at aldenver.veronicaramos@gmail.com. For other important announcements or updates, visit La Filipina’s Facebook page.

Growing Philippine Tourism

The Philippines is once again at the forefront of the global tourism industry with its participation in the World Travel Market (WTM) 2019 in Excel, London.Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippines’ participation was able to generate more than P62 millionbased on partial sales leads gathered or a 35.73% return of investment.

With Korea, China, the US and Japan topping the country’s tourist arrivals, the Philippines’ participation in WTM strengthens the country’s presence in the international tourism and travel arena, particularly Europe and brought it close to its goal of attracting 8.2 million tourists by the end of 2019.

The WTM provided a platform for the Philippine private sector to conduct business-to-business meetings and renew linkages with theirtourism markets around the world.It also enabled TPB and DOT to generate marketing and promotions leads and stay abreast with the latest trends to support its bid to promote the Philippines as the preferred destination.

“The private sector always looks forward to joining WTM,” said DOT Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado III. “In fact, the Philippines gets very good tourists arrivals from the UK, with a 10% increase from last year. But our participation is not just about tapping the UK market. Through WTM, which is the Olympic of travel fairs, we are able to tap key travel and tourism markets in Europe and the rest of the world.”

The Philippine delegation was composed of industry partners and stakeholders including DOT-accredited tourism establishments led by Amorita Resorts, El Nido Resorts, Bohol Beach Club, Nature Wellness Village, Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, Movenpick Resort and Spa Boracay,; travel and tour operators Baron Travel Corporation, Rajah Tours, Annset Holidays, Inc.,Intas Destinations Management, Inc., Travel Experts, Inc. as well as the Clark Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, highlights of the Philippinebooth included ‘slow fashion’featuring the colorful ancestral art of weaving from the province of Kalinga in the island of Luzon, local and bright-colored banig from Basey, Samarand intricate fashion accessories made of agsamfrom the province of Surigao del Sur.

Also making a big splash were the Itogon coffee served all day by no less than top notch baristas Kiddo Cosio and Silvester Samonte of El Union Café and Raoul Peralta of the social enterprise Henry & Sons, as well coffee pairings featuring Pili Latte and Concerva. Award-winning chefs Jam Melchorand Chef Rica Buenaflor also drew huge crowds with their vegan laing, bringhe and adobo.

And proving that Filipinos are world-class entertainers, the crowd was treated to a performance byaward-winning artists of folkloric group La Lira Filipina, headlined byvocalist Princess Virtudazo and violinist and concertmaster Merjohn Lagaya.

Through active participation in global tourism industry events like WTM, TPB is more than optimistic that the Philippines will indeed be the next must-see destination in Asia.

SM Supermalls Launches Travel Adventure with DOT

As part of its Malling is More Fun in the Philippines campaign, SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), launched the Juan Fun Adventure at SM City San Lazaro. Through this initiative, mallgoers can “travel” to the country’s most popular destinations without leaving the metro through Instagram-worthy life-size displays called Travel Pods at SM. These picturesque displays will feature the Mayon Volcano in Albay, Calle Crisologo in Vigan, and the Puerto Prinsesa Underground River, among others. Aside from Travel Pods, Juan Fun Adventure will also feature booths with eco-friendly travel essentials, local delicacies and souvenirs. Juan Fun Adventure will run this October 2019 until April 2020 in SM malls nationwide. Photo shows SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan and DOT secretary Berna Romulo Puyat during the launch.

TPB Mounts Biggest International Travel Trade Event in the Philippines for 2019

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is set to boost tourism in the Philippines as it simultaneously mounts the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) and MICE Buyers Invitational (MICECONnect) 2019 on October 20 to 27 to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist destination for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibits/Events).

Now on its 18th year, PHITEX is considered to be the biggest travel trade event in the country, with close to 200 sellers and 200 buyers participating. The main highlight of the event is the one and a half day business-to-business (B2B) session between foreign buyers and local sellers to encourage tourism-related discourse among the participants, and open doors for business opportunities.

“PHITEX is mounted annually as a support for stakeholders in the travel trade industry,” says TPB COO Marie Venus Tan. “Instead of working as individual operators and sellers, we provide a platform for them to connect to hundreds of buyers from all over the world in one venue, which saves them precious time and money. The event also gives buyers a more comprehensive view of the different destinations and packages that they can sell to consumers, either as individual or bundled tours.”

Participants also took part in the PHITEX educational seminar where industry leaders discussed new trends in tourism marketing as well as marketing strategies in mature and emerging markets while keeping the theme of “Philippine Tourism: Trailblazing Responsible Travel and Inclusive Growth,” in mind.

Giving their insights were Thomas Graham, Co-Founder of Make A Difference (MAD) Travel, Carlos Mori Rodriguez, the Chief Innovation Officer of EON The Stakeholder Relations Group, and Nelly Nuezca Dillera, CESO III, the Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy, who ended the seminar on how DTI is building capabilities for halal development and certification."

Meanwhile, MICECONnect 2019, aims to accelerate the Philippine MICE industry by gathering MICE suppliers to showcase the country as a premium destination for international events and conferences.

Happening simultaneously with PHITEX, MICECONnect 2019 is the continuation of a two-year program as a comprehensive educational seminar for local MICE stakeholders to learn new and effective global trends, approaches, and methods. This year’s focus is conducting business networking opportunities to further develop the country’s MICE industry.

MICECONnect 2019 likewise features B2B sessions for Philippine and foreign MICE buyers, and include a hotel and MICE venue inspection. Moreover, MICECONnect delegates will be treated to post-event tours to highlight some of the country's premier MICE destinations including Iloilo City, Bacolod, Davao, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Tagaytay, Manila and Batangas.

More importantly, both PHITEX and MICECONnect 2019 enable TPB to support and raise awareness on sustainable community-based tourism. Apart from promoting what the Philippines can offer, TPB also advocates for the protection of natural assets and expanding the benefits of tourism to communities that are directly and indirectly affected by the industry, consequently helping DOT towards achieving its goals for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

To know more about PHITEX and MICECONnect 2019, visit the following websites: https://www.phitex.ph/, https://www.micecon.ph, https://www.tpb.gov.ph/, or https://www.facebook.com/tpbphl/.

CDO to Attract more Domestic Tourists through Regional Travel Fair

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), will expand its domestic footprint with the commencement of the 5th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) in the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro.

Supported by the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Northern Mindanao, the RTF aims to promote and strengthen domestic tourism by encouraging travelers to discover more of the Philippines year-round.

Around 100 participants from different travel trade sectors, government agencies, and exhibitors, including local travel and tour agencies, hotels, resorts, and airline operators, are expected to be onboard at the Limketkai Center from August 23-24to showcase the best of the Philippines.
The RTF program includes a 2-day business-to-consumer (B2C) expo wherein exhibitors shall offer exclusive and affordable tour packages that will ultimately increase the volume of domestic travellers around the country. Additionally, a half-day travel exchange (TRAVEX) table-top session will take place for participating buyers and sellers to generate direct sales and business leads, meet new partners and renew deals.

TPB supports Get Global Exhibition in Australia

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), as part of its strategic thrust to strengthen its Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) campaign, supports Get Global – Where the World Meets, an industry exhibition in Australia at the International Convention Center (ICC) Sydney.

Launched in 2017, Get Global has become a reputable platform that connects international MICE suppliers with buyers, including corporate meeting planners, incentive houses and professional conference organizers (PCO), and has been recognized as "Exhibition of the Year" by Meetings & Events Australia for two consecutive years.

With the assistance of DOT Sydney, the Philippines was promoted to Australia's outbound MICE market with increased exposure through Get Global's digital platforms as well as through unlimited face-to-face quality meetings within the one-day event. Participation in the event also generated new leads, established relationships, and explored new networks of contacts for the expansion of the Philippine MICE market, especially among senior buyers in Australia and New Zealand.

Australia is one of the Philippines’ top tourism markets and the month of April this year saw a 13.41 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Down Under. With improved connectivity between Sydney and Manila arising from new and increasing flights, more Australian visitors are expected to keep the upward trend sustained.

TPB Gears Up for Global competitiveness

To achieve its global competitiveness goal and attract more travelers, visitors, and investors, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is conducting a series of Tourism Marketing Educational Seminars among participants from DOT Regional Offices and local government units (LGUs), which kicked off in Batangas City this June, and will go to Cebu and Butuan in August.

The seminars will focus on skills training and upgrading competency level through workshops, case studies and collaborative research projects. This intends to boost employment rate, improve income opportunities and subsequently increase tourism arrivals and receipts.

Moreover, the seminar-workshop is expected to empower LGU’s tourism officers with greater knowledge to initiate and oversee successful tourism marketing strategies that can significantly contribute to the country’s economic and social development.

TPB will also discuss relevant issues affecting the tourism industry that may impact the market and provide opportunity to enhance performance and decision-making skills.

The seminars, which anticipates approximately 60 participants per run, is part of TPB's initiative to support the National Tourism Develop
ment Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022,aiming to build and upscale the implementation of tourism programs to deliver a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.

Full Speed Ahead for PH Tourism with the Philippine Business Mission to Japan

As part of the invigorated thrust to attract bigger tourist arrivals from Japan, the Philippines recently once again concluded a series of successful Philippine Business Mission (PBM) in Sapporo, Nagoya and Tokyo. Japan ranks 4th in terms of tourist arrivals, with a growth rate of 8.15% or a total of 631,801 Japanese visitors in 2018, compared to 581,180 arrivals in 2017.

The PBM continues to be one of the most important annual projects of the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines. It provides the ideal business platform for suppliers of Philippine tourism products—hotels and resorts, tour operators and airlines—in the process of expanding trade relations with their Japanese counterparts while establishing new contacts in the travel trade industry in Japan.

Major components for this year’s PBM were: a Philippine Seminar that provided a comprehensive report on important Philippine travel and tourism developments; Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings wherein DOT Tokyo and DOT Osaka had a total of 400 industry players for one-on-one business discussions with Japanese travel trade and Philippines sellers; and a Philippine Reception that served as a venue for further business networking, in recognition of the strong ties between the Philippines and Japan.

TPB Intensifies Efforts to Increase Chinese Tourist Arrivals

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism, recently joined ITB China which took place in Shanghai as part of its initiative to capture a bigger chunk of 129 million Chinese tourists travelling abroad in the past two years.
In 2017, about 960,000 Chinese tourists visited the country and more than 1.2 million in 2018. TPB hopes to increase Chinese tourist arrivals through its active and consistent participation in ITB China, the largest and fastest growing source market in the travel industry. For 2019, the event had an estimated 15,000 attendees, and approximately 800 exhibitors from 84 countries and 850 buyers from the biggest Chinese travel companies.

This year, the Philippines targets hitting 1.5 million Chinese traveler arrivals and an additional increase of 19.5% by 2022 upon completion of all tourism development plans, which will highlight all the natural wonders of the country.

The travel and tourism sector remains to be one of the important drivers in the country’s economic growth. It continues to create jobs and boost real estate with the influx of foreign and domestic travelers increasing demand for new properties, specifically hotels and resorts.
Through the ITB China, TPB amplified awareness on the country’s beautiful destinations and many offerings with booth activities that put spotlight on why “It’s more fun in the Philippines!”

A country made up of more than 7,000 islands consisting of beautiful pristine beaches, home to some of the most expansive shopping centers in the world, and offering a dozen of adventure-laden activities, the Philippines is, without a doubt, more than ready to open its doors for more foreign visitors.

TPB Boosts Efforts to Attract Korean Tourists

To boost efforts in attracting Korean tourists to visit the Philippines, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism, will be participating in two major travel fairs happening in South Korea—The Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA) on 06 to 10 June 2019 and HanaTour International Travel Show on 07 to 09 June 2019.

KOTFA is the biggest international travel fair in Korea with the participation of both international and domestic tourism-related organizations. This year, KOTFA is expected to generate an attendance of approximately 500 companies and 70 countries. The Philippines reserved six (6) booth spaces to be shared with airlines, hotels and top Korean travel agents in Seoul.

Meanwhile, HanaTour is Korea’s largest tour wholesaler with 1,200 HanaTour exclusive sales offices selling 14,000 tourism products through its 7,000 partners across the globe. This year, the Philippines is the featured country, co-marketing and promoting with HanaTour from June to July 2019, with multiple online and offline activities. The Philippines will also have eight (8) booth spaces at the event to help retail agencies aggressively sell and promote Philippine tour products, and provide general information about the country to the public.

South Koreans make up a huge portion of tourists visiting the Philippines annually, sharing approximately 22.3% of 1,587,959 visitors in 2018. TPB aims to increase Korean visitor arrivals by 25.80% upon completion of all tourism development plans by 2022, which will highlight the natural wonders of the Philippines.

As the country strengthens its campaign “It’s more fun in the Philippines” Korean tourists will get to choose from many offerings such as its beautiful pristine beaches, expansive shopping centers, dozens of adventure-laden activities, and the renowned warm hospitality of the Filipinos.

4th Regional Travel Fair Pushes for Domestic Tourism

Spearheaded by the revitalized Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the 4th Regional Travel Fair in Clark, Pampanga recently concluded with a wide range of activities such as business-to-business sessions, a two-day business-to-consumer exhibit, forums and pre-event tours to further increase nationwide domestic tourist arrivals while promoting sustainable tourism in private-public initiatives and programs. The four-day travel fair highlighted two main events: business-to-consumer exposition attended by hundreds of travel enthusiasts, and participated in by the biggest tour operators and local tourism officers in the country to market their special travel deals and promos; and the business-to-business travel exchange that enabled participating buyers and sellers to network and discuss investment opportunities to generate leads and sales. Present during the opening ceremony were (L-R) DOT Region 10 director Marie Elaine Unchuan, TPB Domestic Department OIC Nerissa Juan, Philippine Airlines Luzon Station area head Christopher Lebumfacil, TPB Corporate Affairs Sector acting deputy chief operating officer Joselito Gregorio, Cebu Pacific sales director Agnes Gupalor, and TPB Domestic Promotions – Sales Division OIC Cesar Villanueva.