Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) in the Philippines yielded over P296 million in negotiated sales during its two-day tabletop meetings between international buyers and local stakeholders in Cebu.
The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2023 held last Sept. 20-21 at the Fili-NuStar Hotel, Cebu, was organized by the TPB to showcase the Philippines' finest tourism attractions, establishments, services, and products to a global audience.
This year, a total of 164 seller delegates from 119 Philippine companies and 88 buyers from 19 countries around the world gathered at the travel exchange event.
PHITEX 2023 yielded P55,171,600 on its first day and P232,964,100 on its second day, generating a total of P296,213,032 in projected income including proceeds from sponsorship and participation fees.
In her speech, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed her gratitude to the entire delegation saying “our gratitude goes to you for your continued belief in the potential of Philippine tourism and your love for the Philippines.”
Frasco further emphasized the country’s success in tourism recovery, citing the arrival record of over 3.8 million international visitors as of Sept. 19, bringing an estimated revenue of over P316.9 billion. She said that the inclusion of international buyers highlighted the Philippines as a unique destination.
“The inclusivity of this program beckons international buyers to explore the rich diversity that our country has to offer. But what truly sets us apart as a tourism destination is no other than the best asset of Philippine tourism—the Filipino people,” she said.
This year, PHITEX embraced the theme, “Tourism Sustainability in the Era of Internet of Things (IoT),” putting a spotlight on the country’s digitalization and sustainability efforts to meet global demands.
TPB Chief Operating Officer Marga Nograles highlighted TPB's efforts to extend beyond business transactions by organizing post-tours to community-based tourist sites and introducing international buyers to grassroots initiatives, local textiles, and eco-tourism activities.
"Amid this transformative surge, the tourism industry must be poised for action. We must not only embrace this digital evolution but also guide the way, ensuring that tradition coexists harmoniously with modernization," Nograles said in line with the expanding IoT that is redefining the whole industry and the tourist experience.
Apart from B2B, PHITEX also functions as an innovative knowledge-sharing platform for local stakeholders and academic members in the field of tourism through its Philippine Educational Program (PEP) Talk. (Ma. Joselie C. Garcia)