01/07/09, 19:35:13 UTC

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Durano leads tourism fair at CICC

globalnation.inquirer.net

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano will lead the guests during the opening ceremonies of the 1st Philippine International Tourism Fair (PITF) at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City on September 5.

Almost 150 foreign buyers of travel packages – tour operators, travel specialists and corporate executives – and owners and executives of local resorts, hotels, medical tourism hospitals, golf courses and other tourism-oriented establishments will join the event.

More than 300 corporate buyers are expected to transact business with tour providers and foreign buyers/wholesalers.

The event will run from September 5 to September 7.

The last day of the event is open for free to the public to enable the consumers to know what travel possibilities are being offered by the tourism fair.

The PITF 2007 is the country's first international travel trade fair.

It is in line with the Department of Tourism's (DOT) Philippine Travel Exchange (Phitex), which will also be held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

It is organized by the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies and supported by the DOT, Philippine Tourism Authority, Cebu Province and the city governments of Mandaue and Cebu.

A seminar on “Building up a Vibrant and Globally Competitive Tourist Destination” will start at 3 p.m.

The speakers include Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority administrator Armand Arreza, Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, Palawan Governor Mario Joel Reyes and Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau president Jay Aldeguer.

A cocktail and a presentation on Boracay entitled “Beach Paradise Boracay” will follow at 4 p.m.

On the second day, a number of presentations will be made by several service providers.

These are the Sarrosa Hotel at 11 a.m., the University of Santo Tomas Hospital at 11:45 a.m., Bohol Divers Resort at 1:30 p.m. and the Caylabne Bay Resort at 2:15 p.m.

Following the presentations are seminars to be conducted by top-notch personalities.

These include “Philippine medical tourism – a global economic activity” by Dr. Alfonso Cenon, chief executive officer of the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital; “Business opportunities in health and wellness tourism” by Alma Rita Jimenez, president of St. Francis Cabrini Medical Center; and “Wellness tourism - Now a must for lifestyle traveler” by Marjorie Lopingco, president of the Spa Association of the Philippines. Another presentation with cocktail featuring “Blazing Bohol” will wrap up the day's events.

The last day of the event will feature seminars on “Why do we have to participate in international tourism fairs” and “Philippines' edge and competitiveness in international tourism fairs” by Patrick Gregorio, chief marketing officer of Microtel Inn & Suites.

At 4 p.m., the induction of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines-Visayas chapter will be held before the closing ceremonies at 6 p.m.

 Printable Version  | published Sep 03, 2007