PH firms earn P722-M deals from ITB Asia

MANILA, Philippines — The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) generated nearly a billion pesos from a well-regarded tourism trade fair in Singapore.

The DOT said on Friday that 29 Filipino companies joined the TPB in the ITB Singapore fair at the Sands Expo Convention Centre from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25.

ITB Singapore is one of the Asian events of Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin, the largest tourism trade fair in the world.

The DOT said the delegation’s 29 participants generated P722 million in sales deals, which is a 378.34 percent increase in earnings gained from the same event last year.

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“ITB Asia is a key platform for strengthening the Philippines’ position as a world-class tourism destination. Our participation helps drive sustained growth and establish valuable partnerships that translate into long-term success,” TPB chief operating officer Margarita Montemayor-Nograles said in a statement.

“Whether it’s for leisure or MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), we aim to ensure that the Philippines remains a preferred and competitive choice on the global stage, driving sustained growth and transforming interest into tangible sales and partnerships,” Nograles added.

Local exhibitors included Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Dusit Thani Manila, City of Dreams Manila, Fili Hotel-Nustar Resort Cebu, Hotel101 Group, Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa, Novotel Manila Araneta City, Grand Hyatt Manila, Valero Grand Suites by Swiss-Belhotel, The Manila Hotel, Astoria Hotels and Resorts, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Henann Regency Resort and Spa, Paradise Garden Boracay Resort Hotel & Convention Center, Lihim Resorts El Nido, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark and Club Agutaya Inc.

Other tourism firms that joined the delegation were “one-of-a-kind experiences” like GI Philippines Corp. (Biyaheko) and Boracay Adventures Travel N Tours, Life Style Luxury Travel Corporation, Southeast Travel Corporation, Uni Orient Travel Inc., Quasar Travel and Tours, Shroff Int’l Travel Care Inc., Via Philippines Travel Corporation, and Luxure Holidays Inc.

The Philippine pavilion showcased a rich variety of travel options, catering to leisure getaways to MICE.