Big things come in small packages: Travel Sale Expo 2023 soars high in its tourism scene debut

Travelers planning on local and foreign trips now have one more annual event to look forward to, with the successful launch of the Travel Sale Expo, organized by the Global Tourism Business Association and One Klik Events Management.

The travel fair, happening from September 29 to October 1 at the SM Megatrade Hall, featured thematic tour packages and new offerings from travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines, and other tourism groups. “This endeavor is a product started from falling in love and committed to the beauty of what I love to do, and that is promoting tourism to create a business that will bring jobs to many people that would help them to make a living,” Taylan said.

Global Tourism Business Association President Michelle Taylan opening speech at the Travel Sale Expo 2023 held at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall Septmber 29,2023.

Some 200 booths and more than 100 exhibitors participated in the three-day event with around 60,000 foot traffic. Travel Sale Expo 2023 Chairperson Michelle Taylan led the opening of the event, with the goal of providing consumers with yet another option for their travel needs.

“[We are] here at the SM Megatrade Hall for the launch of something new – a passion project of mine that has been years in the making… All great things come from small beginnings and I am ultimately eager to see this project grow and prosper further,” said Taylan, a former PTAA President and now the President of the Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA).

The Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco also supported the event and welcomed the organizers’ effort to promote travel in the Philippines, and boost tourism in general. Frasco, who was the event’s keynote speaker, said the recoup of the country’s tourism industry is attainable this year, regaining huge tourism sales made during the pre-pandemic stage in 2019, which was at 8.3 million tourists (including non-resident OFs), largely from Korea, China, the United States, Japan, and Taiwan.
These comprised 70 percent of the year’s tourist arrivals.Travel receipts reached $9.3 billion in 2019, up by 20.8 percent from the tourist receipts of $7.7 billion in 2018.

Frasco also outlined the programs and projects that are currently being implemented such as the establishment of Tourist Rest Areas across the country, the enhancement of airports and seaports, and the incorporation of the Filipino brand piloted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, as well as the provision of internet connection to at least 94 tourism destinations as part of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Tourism and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

She also relayed projects in the pipeline such as the creation of a Tourist Lifecycle App, the establishment of a Tourist Call Center, and the anticipated signing of an agreement with the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior Labor and Government recognizing the necessity of ensuring peace and security in tourist sites.

The Travel Sale Expo now joins other travel trade shows mounted by other seasoned travel and tourism groups and associations in the country.

Taylan, who is no stranger to organizing travel fairs as a longtime professional in the field, is hoping to expand operations and the activity’s reach soon.

“…the work does not stop here. We are aiming to make things bigger – bigger deals, bigger venue, and bigger travel opportunities for everyone,” she said.

The Travel Sale Expo is co-presented by UnionBank, in partnership with the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Israel Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Global Tourism Business Association.

ADVT.