582 fi rms from 58 countries joining Manila-hosted PTM

MANILA, Philippines - At least 810 executives of 582 companies from 58 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the international travel mart to be held in Manila by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on Sept. 25-28 at the SMX Convention Center.

The number can still increase with the expected participation of non-PATA members and other industry players from other sectors.

Many of the countries participating in the PATA Travel Mart (PTM) are both buyers and sellers of various tourism packages and services, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) and marketing arm Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

Listed in the DOT-TPB roster as buyers in the PTM 2012 are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, States and Vietnam, among others.

Also listed as sellers among them are Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the US.

Listed as purely sellers are Bhutan, Guam, Mexico, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Yap (State of the Federated States of Micronesia), and Papua New Guinea.

“That means the world’s continents will do business in the Philippines during the PTM, which effectively covers the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa),” said DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions and Philippine Host Organizing Committee chairman Daniel Corpuz.

“In effect, we will have the eyes of the global tourism market and industry on the Philippines during and after the event as members of the international press and PATA’s own media network are also coming over for the coverage of the proceedings,” Corpuz said.

He cited the PTM as an enormous opportunity Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United to provide the world with an experiential and testimonial definition of the country’s brand statement “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

Corpuz said the PTM would specifically highlight the country’s improved tourism capacity in terms of new high-end room facilities and destinations catering to meetings, incentives,

events and conventions (MICE).

“Our MICE sector will be among the major beneficiaries of this event,” Corpuz added, pointing out the holding of the PATA executive board and board of directors meetings at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel on Sept. 28-30.

Both the PTM and the PATA board meetings are supported by world-class international hotels in Manila such as Century Park, Diamond, Microtel Mall of Asia, Midas, Hyatt, Manila Hotel, Pan Pacific, Sofitel, and Traders Hotel Manila.

The PTM participants will also have a city tour of the old and new Manila on Sept. 25, and Tagaytay on Sept. 26. Constituting the Old Manila Tour are guided trips to historic Fort Santiago, Rizal Park, Intramuros, and the National Museum.

The New Manila Tour, on the other hand, consists of visits to Nayong Pilipino, the

Makati central business district, and the Ayala Museum.

For the PATA board of directors, there will be a day tour of the Pico de Loro Cove of SM Land’s Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas on Oct. 1.

Also supporting the PTM are local sponsors Philippine Airlines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Primer Group of Companies, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., Hertz Philippines, Marco Polo Hotels, Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Globe Telecom, Duty Free Philippines, Victory Liner, Ginebra San Miguel, Hyatt Hotel and Casino, TTG Asia Media, Nurture Tropical Spa, Resorts World Manila, the Pasay City government, and PATA Philippine Chapter.

For more information on the PTM, contact the PHOC Secretariat at 02-525-6110, e-mail at cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph or visit www.pata.org.