Get best travel rates at tourism expo

MANILA, Philippines -  Offering Filipinos the chance to travel at a discounted rate, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) opened yesterday a three-day travel expo in Pasay City, in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and in partnership with The STAR among others.

DOT Undersecretary Kat de Castro invited Filipino travelers to visit the expo as it provides domestic and international travel packages that are mostly 50 percent cheaper than regular rates.

“You know, our countrymen love discounted rates. They should come here if they plan to visit the Philippines. This is the best time to get all the travel packages,” De Castro said.

As far as tourist arrival is concerned, De Castro said the DOT is expecting an increase of about 30 percent as it aggressively campaigns to promote Philippine tourism. It is also counting on the success of the Miss Universe pageant, increased number of travelers from China and the hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events in the country to bring in more tourists.

She added that Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo wanted to include the Philippines in the “bucket list” of every foreigner and Filipino living abroad.

De Castro is optimistic that the seven million tourists, targeted for the past two years, can be surpassed this year, even with the flak the government received for its war against illegal drugs and the killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo.

“We have a lot of options and that is a plus factor. We are an archipelago and we can promote other areas that are not affected by it,” she said.

People gather at the expo sponsored by the the Philippine Travel Agencies Association in coordination with the Department of Tourism and The Philippine STAR among others in Pasay City yesterday.

Teo said the DOT targets around nine million tourist arrivals this year, especially after gaining international attention from its recent hosting of the 65th Miss Universe pageant.

The Chinese embassy, she added, promised one million tourist arrivals after the government of China lifted its travel ban to the Philippines.

Teo said her office would focus on “underdeveloped destinations” like Surigao, Vigan, Laoag and Ilocos, and develop new routes to more destinations in Mindanao and Northern Luzon, which aren’t getting enough tourists. The new routes would include Siargao, Surigao, Siquijor, Laoag, Pagudpod and Tuguegarao.

“I would like to focus on the places that are not yet that known but are beautiful. Within the structure, we have to help them by developing roads and airports,” Teo added.

The DOT will also focus on developing its market in high-spending countries like India, Russia, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Teo added that President Duterte’s visit to Russia this year is also expected to boost the arrivals of Russian tourists.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe-Philippines Maxine Medina opened a pop-up shop at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City yesterday, the third such shop in Metro Manila after similar launches in SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall.

The store, which will be open until March 9, sells Miss Universe apparel, tour books, mugs, pillows and postcards at prices ranging from P150 to P1,300. It also sells a collection dedicated to former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.

Medina was assisted by executives of the Araneta Center and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, the official licensor of all Miss Universe merchandise in the country.

The pop-up store also accepts pre-orders for replicas of the Miss Universe crown and the queen bear, which had previously sold-out at other pop-up shops.– With Romina Cabrera