PCCI links up with Phil Travel Mart

Vast business opportunities are seen looming for the country’s tourism sector as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry (PCCI) links up with the Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) to facilitate the inflow of foreign investments and mobilize domestic capital.

This was revealed by PTM deputy secretary general Yvonne Pascual, citing an investment briefing to be conducted by the PCCI during the tourism expo.

"The investment seminar will be done by Samie Lim, the PCCI vice president for tourism," Pascual said, adding that two tourism estates in Aklan and Bohol would be initially presented to potential investors.

The tourism estate in Aklan will be presented by former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Lim.

"Inquiries from investors on various areas of investment will b entertained by resource persons during the session," Pascual explained.

It will be conducted from 1 to 5 p.m. of Sept. 3 at the conference room adjacent to the Megatrade Halls 1 and 2 of MS Megamall, where the PTM will be staged up to Sept. 5.

This will be the fifteenth PTM since 1989, making it the country’s longest-running annual international tourism expo. It will present the Philippines’ finest tourism destinations, travel packages, products and services to the global market through the visiting foreign buyers from at least 15 countries worldwide.

Also making up the PTM this year is the back-to-back holding of its Travel Exchange (Travex) with the Philippine Travel Exchange (Phitex) of the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp., the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism.

"To be held the whole day of Sept. 4 at the nearby Holiday Inn Galleria Suites, the twin business events (Travex/Phitex) will serve as a venue for local sellers (of tourism packages) to meet directly and transact business with foreign buyers," said PTM deputy secretary general for business prospects Brenda Consul.

"Before that one-on-one meeting, though, the foreign buyers shall have viewed the exhibits at the PTM in SM Megamall and made their pick," Consul stressed.

"All these tourism activities are geared to generate income, create jobs across the archipelago, reinforce tourism as a major growth sector, and help boost the economy," Consul added.

More information on the PTM can be obtained from Sandy Pery or Jeanette Cabudoy of Global Visions Events & Marketing Network Inc. (tel/fax. 6350350, 6371257, or email [email protected]).

Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Tourism Authority, Philippine Airlines, WG&A, and Air Philippines, the 15th PTM is supported by the DoT and the PCVC, and organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association.