Wazzup Pilipinas!
Philippine Tourism Week celebration was also felt at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart held at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia Complex last September 6 to 8.
Several travel-related establishments had their own booth setup at the event allowing guests to inquire about their latest travel offerings or promotional efforts. It is also an opportunity to get discounted or special rates plus a chance to win raffle prizes or get freebies from their booth giveaways.
The event also unveiled exciting new destinations for travelers of all types. Up for grabs in the annual Sale ng Bayan are the island Getaways - joint group tours that coer destinations across various parts of the Philippines sold at up to 70% discounts.
It is such a shame.
After I interviewed the DOT Regional Director of Zamboanga regarding their Tourism efforts only a few days ago, out comes this terrible news of conflict.
Madam Mary June Bugante did mention that these conflicts were the only hindrance to their tourism promotions.
Now I don't know how to begin writing about Zamboanga. How can I invite people to go to a warzone?
Tsk tsk tsk!
Another challenge faced by the tourism sector lie in finding talent adn developing a competent workforce, says Cesar Cruz, PHILTOA President. With their youth-specific training effort and their main thrust of promoting domestic tourism, PHILTOA seeks to secure the industry's future manpower supply. PHILTOA isn organization of tourism operators and allied members that are actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism.
I interviewed two other Regional Directors of the Department of Tourism namely Miss Leticia dela Cruz from Caraga Region 13 and Mr. Martin Valera of Region 1.
They both have a positive outlook in their tourism efforts and have said that everything is all going well at their respective areas of jurisdiction. They have been with the DOT for many years already and both recognize the value and importance of online or social media influence with regards to their tourism efforts.
Mr. Valera has mentioned that he has been actively supporting bloggers as part of their online tourism promotion where he has even tapped high-profile travel bloggers and have given them a tour of their Region.
Miss Dela Cruz is also open to further promote their tourism efforts with the use of social media and blogging.
The Philippine Travel Mart was so huge and the opportunities were so vast that it was impossible to move around and explore everything in just a day. I wanted to spend the entire day there but had to attend to other necessities. I just hope that they will regularly hold events like these not just annually but even via small events respective to each and every establishment.
The Philippines is such a beautiful country that we need to give everyone easy access in giving them the ability to explore the Philippines in ways convenient and affordable for our countrymen.
There is a disturbing fact going around that it is more expensive to travel within the country and more affordable to travel outside the Philippines. It shouldn't be the case so that we can actively promote local tourism. We want our countrymen to see the beauty of the Philippines first and foremost.
More photos can be seen at the Wazzup Pilipinas Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wazzuppilipinas
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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