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

Established in 1996, the event hosts qualified international buyers to participate in tabletop business appointments with Philippine sellers and experience first-hand the beauty of the Philippines and warmth of its people through pre-/post-event tours with an end-goal of expanding networks, creating partnerships and increasing tourist arrivals in the country.

PHITEX has become a major annual marketing event that further strengthens the country’s brand image and encourages participants to promote affordable and competitive tourism packages.

This year, coming out of the pandemic, the first purely physical PHITEX will be held in Cebu, after its first hosting 16 years ago. Scheduled on 19-27 September 2023 in Cebu targeting 100 buyers and 100 seller companies.  The event will have a two-day face-to-face Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), PHITEX Educational Program (PEP) Talk and Pre and Post- event tours for Buyers.

DATE	ACTIVITY	VENUE
19 September 2023	Pre-Event Tours for Buyers	Cebu
	PHITEX Educational Program (PEP) Talk for Sellers	Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Cebu
20 September 2023	Opening Ceremony	Fili Hotel – NUSTAR Cebu
	TRAVEX Day 1
	Welcome Dinner Reception	Fili Hotel – NUSTAR Cebu
21 September 2023	TRAVEX Day 2	Fili Hotel – NUSTAR Cebu
	Networking Cocktails / Closing Ceremony	Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Cebu
		Manila and Rizal
22-26 September 2023		Coron, Palawan
		Cebu and Negros Oriental
		Pampanga and La Union
		Ilocos Region
22-27 September 2023		Boracay and Romblon
		Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Davao

PHITEX 2023 is open to DOT-accredited suppliers of Philippine tourism products and services and TPB members from the following sectors:

• Travel agencies/tour operators
• Accommodations
• MICE operators
• Health and wellness
• Adventure sports providers
• Travel trade associations
• Tourist Transportation
• Others (i.e theme parks, attractions, museums)

PHITEX 2023 is open to the following sectors:

• Travel agencies/tour operators
• Tour wholesalers
• MICE operators

• FOR SELLERS:
  1. Duly accomplished online registration form found in this link: (https://www.phitex.ph/registration/seller/)
  2. Valid copy of DOT Accreditation Certificate. Those undergoing renewal may submit DOT’s acknowledgment on their application.
  3. TPB member’s certificate
  4. Vaccination Card
• FOR BUYERS:
  1. Duly accomplished online registration form found in this link: (https://www.phitex.ph/registration/buyer/)

1. For this year’s PHITEX, each seller company can register up to two (2) delegates. Each seller delegate will have his/her business appointment schedule.

Below are the Participation Fees for Sellers:

STATUS	PARTICIPATION FEE
Principal Delegate	Php 10,000.00
Co-Delegate	Php   5,000.00

 

The deadline for registration is on 14 July 2023.

 

The deadline for the payment of the participation fee is five (5) days upon receipt of confirmation for participation or not later than 31 July 2023.

The delegates are expected to come in business attire for the PHITEX appointment sessions.

• For Sellers, kindly inform the Sellers Committee via email: [email protected], on or before 11 August 2023.
• For Buyers, kindly inform the Buyers Committee via email: [email protected], on or before 11 August 2023.Cancellation Policy: 
  • TPB reserves the right to withhold 50% of the Participation Fee if cancellation is made on or before 11 August 2023.
  • Cancellation made beyond 11 August 2023 gives TPB the right to withhold 100% payment of the participation fee and will be considered as no show which will affect future participation in TPB events.

Kindly click here: Guidelines on Airfare Reimbursement

No. Sellers are not entitled to any reimbursement of travel expenses.

a. Seller delegate kit which includes:
1. Access badge for the event per seller delegate;
2. Digital Directory of International Buyers and Philippine Sellers; and
3. Business Appointment Schedule.

b. Attendance to official functions (PEP Talk, Welcome Dinner and Networking Cocktails)

c. Other marketing efforts that will provide the private sector participants optimal advantage and benefit.

d. Preferential rates extended by Cebu-based accommodation partners.

Note: Travel Expenses (such as but not limited to airfare, land transfers and accommodation) are not included in the participation fees. These shall be on pax accounts.

 

APPROVED HOSTED BUYER ENTITLEMENTS AND GUIDELINES

 

ACCOMMODATION

16 to 18 September 2023
Accommodation in Manila 

SEDA MANILA BAY
ASEAN Avenue cor. Abueva Road
Aseana City, Paranaque, 1701
Metro Manila, Philippines

https://manilabay.sedahotels.com/

1. Hosted overnight accommodation with breakfast in Manila for those with layovers (if there are no direct flights from international to Cebu, must fly from Manila to Cebu the next day).
2. Hosted wash-up rooms for those with layovers of six (6) hours or longer (same-day flights).
3. All rooms on Single Occupancy.
4. The hotel can waive the incidental deposit upon check-in, but any charges consumed on top of the hosted room with breakfast must be settled on a cash basis.
5. Please let the Buyers Committee know in advance should you wish to avail of the above-mentioned room entitlements if you will be passing through Manila.

 

18 to 22 September 2023
Accommodation in Cebu

FILI HOTEL – NUSTAR CEBU
NUSTAR Resort
Kawit Island, South Road Properties
Cebu City, 6000
Cebu, Philippines
www.nustar.ph/hotels/fili

1. Hosted accommodation with breakfast in Cebu for the duration of the event.
2. All rooms on Single Occupancy.
3. The hotel will collect an incidental deposit upon check-in, equivalent to PHP 3,000.00 per night (estimated to be USD 53.00 per night).
4. Charges on top of the room with breakfast package will be on a personal account of the guests.
5. Those whose arrival/departure falls outside of these dates (especially those who will not join the post-tours) may be accommodated, subject to room availability.

 

24 to 28 September 2023
Accommodation in Manila 

SEDA MANILA BAY
ASEAN Avenue cor. Abueva Road
Aseana City, Paranaque, 1701
Metro Manila, Philippines
https://manilabay.sedahotels.com/

1. Hosted overnight accommodation with breakfast in Manila after the post-tours.
2. All rooms on Single Occupancy.
3. The hotel can waive the incidental deposit upon check-in, but any charges consumed on top of the hosted room with breakfast must be settled on a cash basis.

 

AIRFARE REIMBURSEMENT
(For Fully Hosted Buyers only)

 

1. The reimbursement shall cover only Fully Hosted Buyers arriving in Manila/Clark/Cebu on 16 September 2023 and departing Manila/Clark/Cebu no later than 27 September 2023.
2. The Fully Hosted Buyers must make their own flight arrangements through the airlines or travel agents.
   1. Air ticket reimbursement shall not include personal travel insurance, excess baggage charges, and other fees imposed by airport authorities.
   2. Fully Hosted Buyers are to arrange their own insurance coverage for the entire travel period.
   3. Fully Hosted Buyers who will join the post-tours are reminded to validate their flight connections.
3. Fully Hosted Buyers shall be reimbursed the cost of their air tickets subject to the CAPPED amount or the actual air ticket cost, whichever is lower, regardless of the airline or travel agent used. Buyers who redeemed their tickets through the Frequent Flyer Program shall be reimbursed the CAPPED amount.
   1. The CAPPED amount has been pre-determined by the PHITEX 2023 Organizing Committee based on the average economy class airfare from the country of origin including the roundtrip domestic airfare for those who have a connecting flight from Manila or Clark going to Cebu. For Buyers who will join the Familiarization Tour, the domestic airfare will be computed based on 1-way fair only.
   2. The capped amount is inclusive of USD 200.00 Domestic Airfare (Manila/Clark – Cebu-Manila/Clark).
   3. Domestic air ticket is based on Roundtrip PAL Economy Flex with 20 kilos Baggage Allowance (16-27 September travel date).
   4. For those who will join the Fam Tour, the capped amount shall be recomputed based on a 1-way ticket (Manila/Clark – Cebu) upon submission of a copy of the air ticket/miles redemption.
4. The reimbursement to Fully Hosted Buyers shall be in the following currency based on the published exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) as of 12 September 2023.
   1. US Dollar; and
   2. Philippine Peso, if the balance is not available in US dollar denomination.
5. The PHITEX 2023 Airfare Reimbursement Form (PHITEX2023 ARF) has been sent to concerned buyers through the email provided in the online registration.
6. Fully Hosted Buyers are encouraged to submit the PHITEX 2023 Airfare Reimbursement Form (PHITEX2023 ARF) together with the following documents between 19-20 September 2023 to the Airfare Reimbursement Counter at the Buyers Lounge from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM to facilitate the computation of the reimbursement.
   1. Copy of passport identification page with signature
   2. Copy of the passport page with Philippine Immigration Stamp or Boarding Pass (Country of Origin should be the same as declared in the Agreement)
   3. Copy of air ticket/electronic air ticket
   4. Official Receipt or Points/Miles Redemption Letter as proof of purchase of the air ticket
7. Submission of the Appointment Sheet (with 38 concluded appointments) and Accomplished Evaluation Form is on 21 September 2023 at the Airfare Reimbursement Counter at the Buyers Lounge from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
8. The release of reimbursement to the Fully-Hosted Buyer is on the last day of TRAVEX, 21 September 2023, at the Airfare Reimbursement Counter at the Buyers Lounge, from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION AND AIRPORT ASSISTANCE

 

Provision of airport assistance and transportation throughout the event for all approved hosted Buyers:

1. Transportation (airport-official hotels) and airport courtesies upon arrival in Manila and/or Cebu from 16 to 19 September 2023.
2. Transportation to and from official function venues on 20 and 21 September 2023.
3. Transportation (official hotels-airport) during departure in Manila and/or Cebu from 22 to 28 September 2023.

In the preparation of the logistical requirements of the Airport and Transportation Committees, kindly submit your complete flight details by accessing the link https://cvent.me/ZKB4xa?RefId=BUYER and modifying your registration.

The deadline for submission of flight details is on
09 September 2023 (Saturday) at 11:59 PM Manila time.

 

 

MEALS

 

Provision of meals from 19 to 21 September 2023, or until 27 September 2023 if joining the post-event tours:

1. Full board meals will only be provided during the event proper on 19 September (Pre-Event Tour), 20-21 September (TRAVEX, Welcome Dinner, and Networking Cocktails), and 22-27 September 2023 (Post-Event Tours);
2. Meals before the Pre-Event Tour and after the Post-Event Tours, only breakfast will be provided along with the hosted accommodation.

 

DELEGATE’S KIT

 

Provision of Buyer’s delegate kit which includes:

1. Access badge for the event;
2. Digital Directory of the Philippine Sellers; and
3. Business Appointment Schedule for Day 1 and Day 2 of TRAVEX

 

INTERPRETERS

 

Provision of interpreters for the B2B meetings from 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM on 20-21 September 2023:

1. Mandarin
2. Korean
3. Japanese

 

OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS

Invitation to official event functions:

1. Welcome Dinner on 20 September 2023; and
2. Networking Cocktails/Closing Ceremony on 21 September 2023

 

TOURS

Invitation to join the Pre-Event Tour on 19 September 2023 and Post-Event Tours from 22-27 September 2023:

Pre-Tour:

19 September 2023

1. Cebu Countryside Tour (Suroy-Suroy)
2. Cebu City Tour with Properties Inspection

Post-Tour:

22 – 24 September 2023

1. Arts and History, in the City of the Old and the New (Manila and Rizal)

22 – 26 September 2023

1. Dine and Drive (Pampanga and La Union)
2. Wellness and Fun Dive (Coron, Palawan)
3. Culinary, Culture, and Heritage (Ilocos Region)
4. Triple F (Faith, Farm, Fun) (Cebu and Negros Oriental)

22 – 27 September 2023

1. Nature and Adventure (Davao, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro)
2. Triple C (Calm, Culture, Culinary) (Romblon and Boracay)

• All Post-Event tours will conclude in Manila.
• The PHITEX Tours Committee will be covering the domestic air tickets from Cebu to the destination and to Manila at the end of the tour.
• Provision of overnight accommodation in Manila after the tour.
• Post-Event Tour participants are encouraged to book their return flight departing from Manila a day after the end of their tour module. (e.g., If your tour module ends on 27 September 2023, book your return flight departing Manila on 28 September 2023.)
• Further details regarding the tours like itinerary, what to bring, and other reminders will be disseminated by the Tours Committee per tour module.

 

For concerns and other clarifications, you may contact the following PHITEX 2023 Committees:

 

(Business Meeting Appointments and General Concerns)
Buyers Committee – [email protected]

 

(Airfare Reimbursement Concerns)
Airfare Reimbursement Committee – [email protected]

 

(Pre-Event and Post-Event Tour Concerns)
Tours Committee – [email protected]

 

 

 

The scheduled physical B2B meetings will be done from 09:30H to 18:00H and from 09:00H to 17:00H on 20 and 21 September 2023, respectively.

Each seller will have a maximum of 44 official appointments for the two-day business sessions, 20 and 24 pre-arranged meetings, respectively, per day

Each B2B meeting runs a total of fifteen (15) minutes. Participants will be notified three (3) minutes before the end of each meeting to wrap up the discussion and move to the next appointment.

In case of NO SHOW, the Buyer/Sellers may meet with an available Seller/Buyer. 

Sellers are highly encouraged to bring their own promotional materials for the B2B sessions preferably sustainable and light materials such as digital brochures, maps, and programs. Buyers will be provided with tables, while Sellers will roam around for their appointments. Bringing of pull-up banners is prohibited.

Yes, sellers are entitled to attend the PEPTalk scheduled on 19 September 2023. The seminar is free of charge.

• Invited Academe
• Invited Local Government Units (LGUs)
• Invited Stakeholders

Note: Participation in the PEPTalk is exclusive of accommodation and travel expenses.

No, only hosted buyers are qualified to participate in the said tours.

The pre-event tour is scheduled on 19 September 2023, while the post-event tour will be on 22 – 26 September 2023. Details on the tours will be disseminated to the approved buyer delegates’ registrants via email.

 

DATE	DESTINATIONS	THEMES
Pre- Event Tours
19 September 2023	Cebu	Cebu Suroy-Suroy Countryside Tour
		Cebu Fun City Tour and Properties Inspection
Post- Event Tours
22-24 September 2023	Manila and Rizal	Arts and History, in the City of the Old and the New
22-26 September 2023	Coron, Palawan	Wellness and Fun Dive
	Cebu and Negros Oriental	Triple F (Faith, Farm, Fun)
	Pampanga and La Union
	Ilocos Region	Culinary, Culture and Heritage
22-27 September 2023	Boracay and Romblon	Triple C (Calm, Culture, Culinary)
	Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Davao	Nature and Adventure

Note: Indicative only. Detailed itinerary will be sent through a series of bulletins.

Pre-departure testing for fully-vaccinated foreign nationals is no longer required.  All participants are required to register via the eTravel portal, which replaced the One Health Pass. Registration can be done within three (3) days or 72 hours prior to the arrival in the Philippines. The e-Travel form may be accessed at https://etravel.gov.ph/

Wearing masks is no longer mandatory but not prohibited, especially for those who wish to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 or other respiratory infections*

*Department of Health Department Circular No. 2023-0324 Updated Health Protocols following Lifting of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency https://dmas.doh.gov.ph:8083/Rest/GetFile?id=757354 (23 July 2023)

Updated masking, quarantine and isolation protocols*

 

	Masking/ Quarantine / Isolation Protocols
Asymptomatic close contact exposed to confirmed COVID-19 positive individual	– No Need to quarantine; and – Wear a well-fitted face mask for 10 days
Asymptomatic but confirmed COVID-19 positive case	– Home Isolation for 5 days or until afebrile/ fever-free for at least 24 hours without using antipyretics (e.g., Paracetamol) and with improvement of respiratory symptoms, whichever is earlier; and – Wear a well-fitted face mask for 10 days   *Note: Isolation may be shorted upon the advice of your healthcare provider.
Confirmed COVID-19 positive case with mild symptoms or individuals with acute respiratory symptoms
Confirmed COVID-19 positive case with moderate to severe symptoms, or immunocompromised	– Isolation for at least 10 days from onset of signs and symptoms following advice of the attending physician, including whether to be admitted in a health care facility; and – Wear a well-fitted face mask for 10 days   *Note: For severe disease and immunocompromised, discontinue isolation only upon the advise of your healthcare provider

*Department of Health Department Circular No. 2023-0324 Updated Health Protocols following Lifting of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency https://dmas.doh.gov.ph:8083/Rest/GetFile?id=757354 (23 July 2023)