Cebu to host Phitex in September: Biggest travel event returns

CEBU, Philippines — After 16 years, the biggest government-organized travel trade event in the country, the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), returns to Cebu City on September 19 to 21.

The Department of Tourism-Tourism Promotions Board (DOT-TPB) said this year’s edition is expected to bring together over a hundred invited local sellers and hosted foreign buyers to explore business opportunities in the Philippine tourism industry.

Organizers said Cebu’s hosting serves as the first purely physical staging of PHITEX after the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

The PEP is scheduled on September 19 at JPark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City while the TRAVEX will be on September 20 and 21 at Fili-Nustar at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

Established in 1996, PHITEX allows qualified buyers from all over the world to participate in tabletop business appointments with Philippine sellers and experience Philippine tourism destinations through pre/post tours.

The event, which is meant to increase tourist arrivals in the country, 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."

When Cebu hosted PHITEX in 2007, an educational seminar was included in the calendar of activities, with industry experts as resource speakers to discuss new trends in tourism marketing as well as marketing strategies in mature and emerging markets.

In 2015 and 2019, PHITEX was combined with MICECON, another major marketing activity that TPB headed. It aimed to consolidate and strengthen various sectors involved in the M.I.C.E (Meeting, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events) industry.

In 2020, PHITEX continued despite the Covid-19 pandemic, with Bohol as its host.

Because of restrictions though, the one in Panglao, Bohol was made a “hybrid” e-conference event. It was made into an online travel trade show that allowed tourism 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 hybrid e-conference environment.

The 2021 PHITEX was held in Subic while last year's was held in Manila, where international buyers were able to again physically join the event.

To be part of PHITEX, one may visit https://www.phitex.ph for the guidelines and registration, either as a seller or buyers.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Communications Office said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. expressed support for the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) recommendation to streamline visa applications for tourists and international students, as well as the adoption of online platforms to make the Philippines attractive to foreign tourists.

Among the PSAC’s new recommendations are the standardization of information application procedure, information on student visa requirements, accreditation of clinics for medical clearance, and certificate requirements for foreign students.

Online submission of student visa applications had also been recommended.

As reported, documentary requirements may be reviewed to simplify and reduce the number, while also recommending the automatic accreditation of at least Level 3 hospitals nationwide for tourists’ medical clearances.

“So, I think the easiest… is to align ourselves …. We can choose to remove it altogether, the requirement for medical certificate, or if we will continue to require medical certificate, as long as it’s a recognized clinic, and it comes out in the actual list of hospitals or something like that. I’m sure there’s a way,” the President said, when asked about the medical requirements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also cited Joint Memorandum Order (JMO) No. 01, s. 2017, which was intended to streamline regulations on the entry of foreign students. This is in support of the government's policy to promote the Philippines as a center of education in the Asia-Pacific region.

Based on the JMO, foreign students can enter the Philippines by applying for a student visa at a Foreign Service Post, and also by securing a temporary visa with the intention to convert to a student admission status.

Upon receipt of the authorization, the applicant will appear in person for an interview and comply with additional consular requirements before securing the student visa.

The DFA could also forgo in-person interviews to fast track the process, and will only require applicants to appear in person if government intelligence agencies make a recommendation to do so for security reasons.

Student visas processing takes about two months in the Philippines, the longest processing period among Southeast Asian countries.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, five million foreigners applied for student visa. This is expected to grow to 10 million by 2030.

“Predominantly, they go to English-speaking countries. There’s a large demand to learn and at the same time to learn English. For the Philippines, it’s a unique opportunity. We are an inexpensive place to get educated,” said Rene Limcaoco of Hertz Philippines.

“So, the Philippines has this unique opportunity in this segment if we can get easier visa rules,” he added.

As of August 14 this year, 3.4 million foreign visitors have entered the country. This is 71.4 percent of the 4.8 million baseline industry target for this year.

The Philippines targets to earn P2.24 billion this year, as well as employ 5.3 million Filipinos, in the tourism sector.