BENGUET/Mountain Province. Zamboanga/Basilan/Tawi-Tawi. Masbate.
These are the top three destinations or tourism circuits the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) wants us to visit, as they mount their 33rd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) on September 30 to October 2, at the SMX Convention Center.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Philtoa President Fe Abling-Yu said in a mix of Filipino and English, “During the pandemic lockdown, we were able to go to places we were not able to visit before, and see beautiful destinations we didn’t even know existed. Zamboanga is so beautiful. From there, you can go to Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan. From Masbate, you can go to other places like Ticao Island.”
During the pandemic lockdown, Philtoa assisted the Department of Tourism (DOT) in validating destinations and tourism circuits that the agency will be promoting under the National Tourism Development Plan 2022-2028.
Though the PTM, Abling-Yua said, Philtoa could hopefully bring more focus to these underrated destinations and help their stakeholders rebound from the pandemic.
She specially addressed concerns about visiting Basilan, saying she hoped whatever misimpressions about the province will be corrected. “People always say it’s dangerous to go to these places without even visiting it, when in fact, it could also not be safe within this city [Metro Manila]. People there [in Basilan] know each other and they will take care of you. The same is true in Tawi-Tawi.”
Lost jobs for irresponsible social media post
Abling-Yu also had stern words for the netizens who posted on social media, claiming they were overcharged in their food expenses at Virgin Island in Bohol. “So many people lost their jobs because of that post! They ordered so much food! Normally, before ordering, you ask how much it would cost, isn’t it,” she asked. The post claimed the tourists paid P26,000 for the food and drinks, but failed to reveal that there were 13 people in the group.
Because of the uproar caused by that social media post, the DOT formed an inter-agency task force to ensure food prices in destinations will be reasonable.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Travel Mart will gather over 270 exhibitors, which will offer discounts from 50 to 70 percent on travel packages, airfare, and hotel rates. “We will be happy if we can equal our sales, foot traffic in 2019, but we will be ecstatic if we exceed it,” said Abling-Yu. In 2019, PTM generated 53,000 foot traffic over three days. Prior to the pandemic, sales generated by PTM exhibitors reached over P60 million.
With at least 70 million Filipinos fully vaccinated and tourism outlets welcoming foreign tourists, a safer and more relaxed environment awaits eager travelers looking for memorable tropical adventures, such that this year’s PTM theme is “Safe Travels.”
Installment plan
The Philtoa chief stressed, “There are so many reasons to explore the Philippines and our Asean neighbors. We hope visitors will find amazing deals at PTM, as well as gain more knowledge about our own country. We have interactive booths highlighting Philippine regions and the biggest among them will be the Mindanao exhibition,” with four pavilions.
She noted this is the first time all regional offices of the Department of Tourism will be participating in PTM.
Affordable tour packages will also be available for Bali, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh, along with must-visit Asian destinations like Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
The travel fair is co-presented by the DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board, and supported by the BPI, Philippine AirAsia, Turkish Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air.
BPI cardholders will be able to pay for their travel vouchers on installment basis. Most of the travel vouchers, said Abling-Yu, carry no expiration dates, although there may be rules on certain so-called blackout dates like holidays and peak season dates.