PTAA mounts successful expo amid revenge travel boost

Philippine tourism players are banking on ‘revenge travel’ to help revive revenue as thousands spend on travel deals during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s (PTAA) annual Travel Tour Expo held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from June 24-26.   

According to PTAA, foot traffic for the three-day event is estimated at around 39,000. Participants were able to score the best and lowest deals in airfare, tours, and accommodation from less than 200 exhibitors. Aside from big discounts, prizes were also up for grabs.   

“The TTE has always been a platform for our travelers, especially for those who want to score the best travel deals. After the pandemic, we expect that people will want to make the best out of their budget, so we’re helping them out with that, “PTAA President Michelle Taylan said.   

The PTAA also expects to draw more exhibitors for the expo next year, as COVID-19 travel restrictions further loosen up. Taylan also said on the sidelines of the event that several exhibitors expressed intention to secure bigger booths in the TTE next year.  

From left to right – Mr. Rhoal Mica Esteban Country Assistant Media Manager UNILEVER PHILIPPINES, INC., Ms. Eds Faustino Cluster Head for GMM Small and Micro Business PLDT Enterprise, Mr. Erhan Balaban Country Manager Turkish Airlines, Mr. Vishal Kadian Director Cards & Loans Head Citibank, Usec. Myra Paz V. Abubakar Undersecretary Department of Tourism , Ms. Michelle Taylan PTAA President, Atty. Charles Aames M. Bautista Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Marketing and Promotions Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Ms. Evangeline T. Manotok PTAA Executive Vice President, Mr. Stanley Ng President Philippine Airlines, Ms. Arlene C. Tena Director- Passenger Sales Cebu Pacific Air

“This year’s TTE was a huge success. People are really excited to travel. Next year, it’s going to be bigger as we reel in more companies to offer back their best deals,” Taylan said.   “We truly appreciate the generosity of our partners and sponsors Tourism Promotions Board, Citibank, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Cebu Pacific, PLDT, Unilever, Philippine Star and Travel Update for helping us make the event possible and even more exciting,” she added.   

DOT Usec Woodrow Maquiling, Jr. also welcomed the influx of participants in this year’s expo, which he said is proof of the successful joint effort from both the public and private sector in dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.   “What we see now is a tourism industry that is recovering… and where we are now is a result of hard work,” Maquiling said.   “It is time we go further, to make this wave of renewed self-confidence a real turning point for Philippine tourism. But make no mistake about it, the more we say it, the harder our work becomes,” he added.