The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) is the biggest government organized travel trade event in the country.

 

This year, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have caused significant challenges for the tourism industry but this only opened an opportunity to harness the digital platform. For the first time, TPB will be hosting the PHITEX 2020 Virtual Edition. This online travel trade show allows tourism market stakeholders from all over the world to explore new opportunities and markets as well as update global buyers with the latest Philippine tourism offerings in one virtual e-conference environment.

 

First held in 1996. Patterned after the ASEAN Tourism Forum, this event host qualified international buyer delegates all over the world to participate in table-top business appointments with accredited Philippine tourism suppliers. Invited foreign participants are also given a chance to experience what the country can offer as a tourism destination during pre and post tours featuring key Philippine attractions and destinations.

 

In 2007, aside from holding it in Cebu for the first time, another component was added in the activity wherein industry experts were invited as resource speakers to discuss new trends in tourism marketing as well as marketing strategies in mature and emerging markets.

 

PHITEX Participants in the last 5 years

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Buyers	194	185	201	209	188	162
No. of countries	30	30	35	34	29	28
Sellers: Companies	127	140	132	154	148	127
Delegates	197	217	196	236	235	194

 

TPB has been organizing post-tours to main attractions and destinations in the country to let foreign buyers experience first-hand the beauty and warmth of the Philippines. Meanwhile, PHITEX was held simultaneously with MICECONference 2015 and MICECONnect 2019 to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist destination for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences, and Exhibitions).