More than 200 buyers and over 220 sellers are set to participate in this year’s Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) – organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT) – to be held at the Marriot Grand Ballroom on 28 – 30 August 2018.

PHITEX is the country’s biggest and most significant travel trade event that aims to promote the country as the premier tourist destination among some of the world’s biggest travel and tour buyers.

“Last year, PHITEX saw an increase in the number of buyers and first time sellers with business generation computed at Php 2.3 billion. This is a big leap from 2016’s record of Php 1.7 million. This year, we aim to exceed this record,” said TPB Officer-in-Charge, Arnold T. Gonzales.

With the theme “Tourism is our Business: Guarding our Environment, Reliving our Culture”, the event will highlight the importance of conserving our natural resources. As traveling significantly impacts our world, it is crucial to curb its negative effects to ensure long-term economic growth.

Kicking off this week-long event is the pre-tour on August 28 for registered buyers covering Bataan, Laguna, Batangas, Tagaytay and Corregidor that will feature interesting Philippine culture and heritage.

The main event of PHITEX 2018 is the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), an exclusive business-to-business appointment meeting between Philippine sellers and foreign buyers. TRAVEX is expected to entice buyers to include the Philippines in their tour programs or expand their existing tour programs of the archipelago to generate maximum exposure of the Philippine destinations to key target markets and launch packages designed for niche markets.

TRAVEX 2018 will be participated in by buyers from Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, United States, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom, Middle East, Russia, India, and other European and Southeast Asian countries.

Capping PHITEX 2018 will be a 5-day post-tours to main Philippine attractions and destinations namely Banaue, Sagada, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bicol, Ilocos, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Palawan and Davao scheduled on August 31 to September 4. This will allow foreign buyers to experience first hand the beauty and warmth of the Philippines.

The tours will be preceded by a cocktail reception, which also culminates the half-day seminar for the local sellers. Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and a known Filipino environmentalist and philanthropist, Ms. Gina Lopez, and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President, Mr. Arsenio “Nick” J. Lizaso will conduct a seminar on culture and tourism and sustainable tourism respectively on August 30 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Hotel Manila.

“As we integrate the importance of guarding the environment and reliving our culture in our programs this year, I look forward to more meaningful journeys. Moreover, I am optimistic that our revitalized “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign will soar to greater heights, giving our foreign delegates a more profound experience while traveling the country through our well-curated pre and post tours,” Gonzales added.

Now on its 17th year, PHITEX has been continuously sustaining the growth that the Philippines has gained in the global tourism market.

Led by Philippine Airlines as the official flag carrier, Marriott Hotel Manila and Diamond Hotel, PHITEX 2018 is also supported by Cebu Pacific, AirSwift, Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., Grand Hyatt Manila, Seda Hotels, AG New World Manila Bay Hotel, Baron Travel, The Farm at San Benito, Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboard, Busuanga Bay Lodge, Legendary Tours, Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, Tugawe Cove Resort, Bluewater Resorts, Coco Beach Island Resort, El Nido Resorts, Radisson Blu Cebu and The Lind Boracay.

For more information about PHITEX 2018, visit www.phitex.ph.