Davao dazzles foreign travel agents
MANILA, Philippines - Members of the 81-man delegation of travel agents from 14 countries received a warm welcome at the Davao International Airport before the start of their tour.
They were among the 155 foreign buyers from 25 countries who participated in the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2011 held recently in Manila.
PHITEX is an annual international tourism promotional event organized by the Department of Tourism through the Tourism Promotions Board and includes the Travel Exchange where foreign buyers and local sellers of tourism and travel products and services transact business.
The foreign buyers are mostly big travel agents in their home countries where they can promote Philippine tourism to their respective clients.
Their trip to Davao thus familiarized them with the region’s tourism attractions, activities and advantages that could help them market the Philippines abroad.
They were led by DOT Assistant Secretary for International Tourism Promotions Benito Bengzon Jr. and welcomed by DOT Davao region director Arturo Boncato Jr.
“Their visit also highlighted the strong bond and active cooperation among the region’s tourism partners such as the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Samal Shores, Apo View Hotel, Ritz Garden Hotel, Royal Mandaya Hotel, Sul Orchids, Malagos Garden Resort, Philippine Eagle Center, Davao Wild Water Rafting, Rancho Palos Verdes Club House, Tribu K Cultural Village at the Crocodile Park, Holiday Tours, and Cebu Pacific,” Boncato said.
The tour was also supported by the Office of the City Mayor, Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinators and Davao City Tourism Office along with the Davao Region Tourism Council, Davao Association of Tour Operators, Davao chapter of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Inc., Davao Travel Agencies Association, GUIDE-Davao and Hotels, and Resort Sales and Marketing Association-Davao.
Security was provided by the Davao City police, Task Force Davao, Traffic Management Council and Public Safety Command Center.
“Our next steps would be to engage our marketing teams to help us follow through on the (foreign travel) agents’ visit to Davao as well as push our private sector to solicit business leads directly from the buyers,” Boncato said.
