DOT to bring foreign buyers to Phitex 2009

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is organizing the Philippine Travel Exchange (Phitex) 2009 to bring in some 200 wholesale buyers from all over the world.

Specifically targeted by the DOT to join Phitex 2009 are leading travel agents from Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, the United States, Canada, Germany, Turkey, Russia, India and other countries in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Phitex 2009, according to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, is an annual marketing event designed to globally strengthen the country’s tourism brand and encourage local participants to promote affordable and competitive tourism packages.

Slated at the SMX Convention Center on Sept. 2 to 4, Phitex ’09 will kick off with educational seminars for local sellers of travel and tourism packages. 

While the seminars are ongoing, event partner Philtoa (Philippine Tour Operators Association) will conduct pre-event tours and related activities for the foreign buyers, Durano said.

Nonetheless, the most important component of Phitex is the Travel Exchange (Travex) scheduled on Sept. 3, where foreign buyers will meet local sellers in pre-scheduled appointments.

A total of 28 pre-scheduled appointments will be given each delegate for the discussions during the Travex.

“But considering the significant number of delegates, additional appointments may be set ‘unofficially’ during the breaks and various social functions throughout the event,” Durano said.

“It is these business meetings between the foreign and local industry players that generate significant tourist volume from our target countries, where the Philippine tourism brand gets promoted directly over the counter or at the POS (point of sale) to consumers globally. In effect, the foreign buyers conduct the on-site consumer marketing for us in their respective countries,” he added.

Thus, Durano is inviting members of the local tourism industry to join Phitex 2009, which is expected to be bigger and better than those of previous years.

With the theme “Explore, Experience… The Philippines is made to be traveled!” Phitex 2009 will showcase the country’s unique attractions and destinations across its 7,107 islands and the many exciting activities they offer.

The event is being organized by the DOT through its marketing arm, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC), with the support of Philippine Airlines, Philtoa, Philippine Travel Agencies’ Association, and Hotel Sales Managers’ Association.

More details can be obtained from the Phitex 2009 Secretariat of the PCVC. Call 525-7320 or 525-9318 to 27 local 263 and 258, e-mail at phitex2009@dotpcvc.gov.ph or log on to www.wowpinoy.net/phitex.