TIME TO TRAVEL. Travel Sale Expo chairperson Michelle Taylan, Rajah Travel Corporation president Aileen Clemente and Department of Tourism-National Capital Region Chief Tourism Operations Officer Catherine Agustin (3rd to 5th from left, seated) lead a press conference at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Wednesday (Sept. 18, 2024), along with embassy representatives and Philippine Retirement Authority general manager Bob Zozobrado (7th from left, standing). The expo will be held at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Sept. 27 to 29, featuring some 180 exhibitors. (PNA photo)
MANILA – Travelers can experience the best destinations the Philippines has to offer and even the world by snagging bargain deals during the Travel Sale Expo (TSE) at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Sept. 27 to 29.
As of last count, at least 180 exhibitors will put up 200 booths at the Megatrade Hall featuring airlines, hotels, travel agencies, cruise liners, resorts, tour packages, event planners, insurance companies, embassies and travel essentials.
There will also be performances from the Korean Cultural Office to satisfy Filipinos’ fascination for anything Korean.
“There is much to see, learn and explore in the Philippines and other countries through a simple vacation or business trip,” TSE chairperson Michelle Taylan said during a press conference at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Wednesday.
Taylan said the Philippines’ Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Brunei will likewise promote their destinations during the expo.
“For those who intend to take a vacation, the expo is the perfect event to seamlessly organize affordable travels,” Taylan said.
The Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Global Tourism Business Association, One Klik Events and Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) are supporting the TSE.
PRA general manager Bob Zozobrado, who also attended the media briefing, said they signed an agreement with the TSE to promote the Philippines as a retirement destination for foreign senior citizens.
Catherine Agustin, DOT-National Capital Region’s Chief Tourism Operations Officer, said travelers are willing to spend on comfort and if they see the value in the places they are eyeing to visit.
“Despite any amount, if one would really want to travel and see other places, it would not matter,” Agustin said.
Taylan said they expect at least 50,000 visitors during the three-day expo.
As of Sept. 5, the DOT said it is halfway through its arrival target of 7.7 million for 2024 after recording 4.08 million international visitors.
A major boost for the Philippines is the rehabilitation of main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the San Miguel Corporation-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., which took over on Sept. 14.
The public-private partnership project aims to increase passenger capacity from 43 million to 62 million annually and air traffic movements from 42 to 48 per hour.
The modernization plan includes terminal reassignments and infrastructure upgrades; functional escalators and toilets, stable power and water and improved air conditioning; and upgraded baggage handling, faster passenger processing, more seating and enhanced WiFi in three to six months.
Within three years, the new management hopes to complete improvements in the runway and commercial spaces, and the direct link from Terminal 3 in Pasay City to the Skyway system. (PNA)
