The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arms of the Department of Tourism (DOT), announced the opening of registration for the 20th edition of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), known as the biggest government organized travel trade event in the country.
For the second year in a row, PHITEX will be held as a hybrid event in light of the pandemic with Subic Bay as the new venue for the online business-to-business (B2B) sessions and networking scheduled to take place on September 19-23.
This year’s theme will highlight safe, smart, and sustainable tourism as part of the TPB’s strategic marketing plan for the new normal.
“Last year’s PHITEX was about pivoting as we had to face the challenges of going hybrid and leveraging on technology more than ever to conduct our business. Thankfully, it was a resounding success, so we are very much excited to pick up where we left off but with a clearer perspective this time around because we are no longing adjusting. We are about moving forward and making significant decisions that will create a better normal for the industry,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said.
PHITEX 2020 was held as a hybrid event for the first time in Panglao, Bohol being one of the first tourism destinations to reopen during the pandemic. Apart from the virtual B2B sessions, the event featured online games, quizzes, and a curated virtual tour of the City of Manila. The event also established 3,946 contacts, generated 1,205 leads, and secured 76 on-site bookings with a projected revenue of over PHP 42 million.
This year, PHITEX is targeting more than a hundred buyers and sellers. Philippine sellers who are interested to join must be DOT-accredited or a TPB member. Meanwhile, for foreign buyers, qualification includes companies that are already selling the Philippines but would want to enhance their tour programs or those not selling the Philippines but would want to include the country in their respective programs.
Participation in PHITEX 2021 is on a pre-registration and a first come, first served basis. For interested buyers and sellers, registration is free at the official website http://www.phitex.ph.
