The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) hybrid edition formally opened on Wednesday at Bellevue Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol province.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat led the ceremony virtually, along with Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, and other officials from the Department of Tourism (DOT) who flew to Bohol for the largest travel exchange convention.
The event was marked by a unique vertical concert with performances from the Loboc Children’s Choir, Loboc Ambassador Band, and Kasing Sining Teatro Bol-anon Ensemble, which were viewed by the delegates from their respective balconies and through live streaming as part of the health and safety protocols.
Allones said they were originally planning on a full virtual event but the hybrid setup is part of the authentic genuine process of the tourism officials to evolve the different tourism aspects in preparation for the reopening of tourist destinations when the borders are finally open.
She said they specifically chose Bohol as the venue for the physical gathering as they were impressed with how the local leaders of the province managed to contain the cases primarily in Panglao Island, allowing it to be coronavirus-free.
“We have also instituted the appropriate policies and protocols to ensure the well-being and safety of tourism travelers,” she said.
She said the hybrid setup is also a way of pre-selling the local destinations in the country.
“So lahat ng mga business deals na magagawa natin dito, we hope to realize gains by next year and so that’s the background why we decided to not cancel PHITEX 2020 but creatively still stage it on a hybrid platform. PHITEX awaits participants with virtual activities, with business to business appointments, and there will also be, the platform allows for meetings,” she added.
Yap said they will also feature during PHITEX the contact tracing and tourism app which will be made available to tourism visitors who will be arriving in Bohol once the province finally reopens to tourists in the coming months.
The app is going to be downloaded in smartphones or if the visitors do not have a smartphone, they will be provided with QR code cards for their use.
“It’s supposed to facilitate their checking in and out of their hotels, facilitating their airport arrivals, transportation, booking their tours and day trips, and helping them make reservations and doing purchases online and facilitating also procurement of handicrafts, just being able to seamlessly allow the tourists to take in the ultimate Bohol experience,” he said.
With the theme “Business Unusual,” PHITEX runs until Sept. 24, which will also showcase leading players in the tourism industry who will share new strategies, technologies, and marketing innovations that will shape the sector during this pandemic and in the post-COVID world.
But Allones said the Bohol provincial government will provide a post-itinerary tour for sellers from Sept. 25 to 27.
The TPB chief said the event this year has, in fact, gathered more participants compared to the previous years.
This year, 350 delegates have signed up but majority are participating online. A total of 125 foreign buyers also joined the travel event from 33 countries, including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Slovenia.