By MARK FRANCISCO
THE umbrella organization of all travel and tour agencies in Visayas and Mindanao will hold their 31st convention here in Cagayan de Oro City from July 19 to 21 this year at the spacious Limketkai Mall atrium.
In a press conference here February 2, Philippine Travel Agencies Association public relations officer Jaison Yang said they chose Cagayan de Oro for this year’s convention because of its proximity to other regional destinations.
Cagayan de Oro Travel and Tours Association (COTTA) president Tito Mora, the de facto local co-chairperson for the convention, said the Vismin edition is the first in the 31 years the national convention was held.
Earlier on February 4, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association held the 31st Travel Tour Expo at the prestigious SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
“The firs tof its kind three-day event will showcase pavilions and exhibit booths featuring popular attractions, tourism destinations, travel-related products and services,” Yang said. “The aim is to provide attendees with access to affordable tour packages, the lowest fare options, discounted accommodations, reasonably priced travel, essentials and delectable food offerings.”
Organizers are expecting a total of 100 exhibitors for the affair and a total of 40,000 visitors in the three-day event at Limketkai Atrium.
Councilor George Goking, the chairman of the committee on commerce and trade, is bullish about the holding of national conventions here in the city.
Last week alone, Cagayan de Oro hosted the Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants national convention and the 5th Philippine Silk Summit. In January, national conventions among tertiary students of various professional fields were also held here.
The Philippine Travel Agencies Association is investing in the growth of the international travel trade expo “as we see it as one of the primary means for travel agencies in the Philippines to expand (our) networks and in further growing their respective businesses,” Yang said.
It was Limketkai Luxe Hotel general manager Jerome dela Fuente who was instrumental in bringing the convention here, convincing the local organizers to expand their activity from the original plan of two days to three days.
Dela Fuente is a staple in the local tourism sector, luring in both investors and MICE organizers to establish their presence here in Cagayan de Oro.
Stakeholders who are interested to join the convention are encouraged to call the Philippine Travel Agencies Association secretariat at +63 8997 2063.
SCHEDULES:
July 19 – opening of the travel tour (B2C) and international travel trade (B2B) expos
- special general membership meeting, Lakbay Pilipinas
July 20 – travel tour (B2C) and international travel trade (B2B)expos
-city tour for PTAA members
-gala night for trade sellers and buyers
July 21 – city tour for foreign trade sellers
-travel tour (B2C) and international travel trade (B2B)expos
IN PHOTO ..
LIMKETKAI Luxe Hotel general manager Jerome dela Fuente (extreme right) listens as the 31st Travel Tour Expo convention chairman Evangeline Manotok (third from left) leads the launch of the Vismin edition of the convention to be held July 19 to 21 at Limketkai Mall atrium. Dela Fuente is instrumental in convincing the organizers to hold the convention here. Also in photo are Councilor George Goking, the committee on commerce and trade chair (fourth from left), and officials of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association along with local organizer and co-chairperson Tito Mora (second from left). PHOTO BY MARK FRANCISCO
