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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tourism industry is back

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The tourism industry was the hardest hit by the pandemic, with so many businesses folding up and many more of our colleagues losing their means of livelihood. However, in the face of helplessness and desperation, those of us in the industry continued to struggle and find ways to earn a living. Giving up was never an option.

Two years after this pandemic caught us off guard and wiped out whatever financial resources we had, the dark clouds have disappeared and a sunshiny bright environment has made it possible for us to, finally, start our engines running once again, towards ultimately getting back on track to profitability.

A few weeks ago, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) finally pushed through with the 28th Travel Tour Expo (TTE) and its 6th International Travel Trade Expo (ITTE).   

DOT-NCR Regional Director Woodrow Maquiling, Jr. was TTE’s Keynote Speaker.

Since quarantine alert levels have been downgraded in the National Capital Region and in many parts of the country, PTAA felt the need to trumpet the “re-birth” of the Industry through these two popular annual events.

The three-day TTE had about 35 exhibitors occupying a portion of the massive Exhibition Hall of SM Megamall.   Though much less than the usual participants in this annual event, still it felt great seeing all those colorfully decorated booths offering holiday packages to potential tourists and business travelers in the domestic market.   For the ITTE, travel and tour companies from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Taiwan, and Turkey also laid out their offers for incredible holiday experiences in their respective countries.

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PTAA President Michelle Thyland officially opened the event with her now-famous  declaration, ‘We’re back!’

I couldn’t help getting teary-eyed when I watched PTAA President Michelle Thyland officially declare the opening of the event by saying, “We’re back!”   These words rang loud and clear through the inner recesses of my body, making me shiver with delight, albeit overcome with emotion, because it was an affirmation that our Industry, after hibernating for two years, is finally back on its feet once again.   Even Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Woodrow Maquiling, Jr., who was the event’s keynote speaker, confided to me that he felt the same way.    

Not to be outdone, the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) opened, two weeks later, their longest-running tourism event in the country, the 38th edition of their Philippines Travel Mart (PTM). This further emphasized and bannered the good news that the the tourism industry is alive and kicking once again,    

Although just like in the TTE, the exhibitors were much less than the usual overflow numbers pre-pandemic, PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz was bold enough to book it at the much bigger SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia complex. It was his way of shouting out loud, in glee, that our industry is, definitely, now out of the woods and is now bouncing back.

Authentic Igorots from the Cordilleras were on hand to welcome guests to the PHLILTOA PTM.  

This popular travel exhibition is strongly committed to the promotion of domestic and inbound tourism, as it always showcases Philippine destinations and updates tour product offerings for domestic and foreign visitors in the country, yet, ensuring inclusive and sustainable tourism.  

Approximately 60 exhibitors transformed the humongous SMX hall into a colorful cornucopia of delightful tour packages, luxury hotel services, and interesting travel destinations.  

Naturally, when PTM President Cesar Cruz declared the event officially open, everybody in the hall got goosebumps, knowing that this pandemic, which has stretched out to two excruciating years, has just been one of the many challenges that have clobbered our industry on countless occasions.    

TPB COO Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones and PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz led the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, assisted by the other PHILTOA officers.

But the name of our game is being resilient and always ready to pick up the pieces and start all over again.   And these, our tourism stakeholders will continue to do, especially now that Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones, who was the PTM’s keynote speaker, shared with us a Japanese proverb, “Fall 7 times, get up 8.”    

So, ring all the bells, blow all the trumpets, our tourism industry is back!

YOUR weekend CHUCKLE

Sleeping comes so naturally to me. I could even do it with my eyes closed!

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

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