The 2022 Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), touted as the country’s biggest government-organized business-to-business (B2B) travel trade event in the country, kicks off as a hybrid event at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts, on October 19.

Spearheaded by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), PHITEX goes hybrid with the theme “Embracing Responsible Tourism: Making better places to live in and better places to visit.”

During the opening ceremonies, TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles highlighted the significance of sustainability in the resurgence of the tourism industry, “We must go beyond the money shot and think of ways to positively contribute to the betterment of the travel industry as a whole. Most of all, let us ensure that we not only come in as advocates of sustainable tourism; we must also embrace the regenerative tourism mindset which is to leave a destination better than it was before.”

Now on its 21st year and third straight year as a hybrid event, PHITEX welcomes 132 Philippine sellers and 119 foreign buyers onsite and online who will engage in a two-day hybrid Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) to strengthen the country’s brand by showcasing a wide array of Philippine tourism packages while simultaneously forging new business connections.

Educational program highlights sustainability

This year’s instalment commenced with a PHITEX Educational Program (PEP) Talk which featured an esteemed lineup of speakers from the travel and tourism industry who advocate for sustainable tourism practices, discussing a range of topics to champion responsible tourism in the better normal.

The PEP Talk began with a round table discussion on slow tourism as a fastest growing niche market participated by Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo; Nicky Gardner, Travel Writer of Hidden Europe Magazine; and Donalito Bales Jr., Founder of the Explore Next Level.

Moreover, Carlos Libosada of Pinoytourist.com presented some of the most effective ways in which key tourism stakeholders could manage Philippine tourism that meets the needs of the destination and the community for greater destination stewardship.

Completing the roster of distinguished speakers were Arch. Felino Palafox Jr., Founder of the Palafox Associates, who shared his thoughts on creating estate living in rural areas and empowering local communities through rural estate development; Carlo Delantar of Core Capital who provided an insightful talk on how the pandemic presents an opportunity to change the economic software by shifting to a sustainable circular economy; Billie Dumaliang, Co-Founder and Managing Trustee of Masungi Georeserve Foundation, who tackled the concept of tourism social entrepreneurship and how it can deliver positive economic, social and environmental outcomes; and Sandra Carvao, Chief of Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), who elaborated on the significance of data science for the tourism industry in forging a new way forward.

PHITEX foreign buyers will also be able to sustainably explore the Philippine destinations through its hosted post-tours from October 21 to 25 in the regional destination clusters of CALABARZON, Cebu & Bohol, Davao, Ilocos Norte, Negros Oriental & Siquijor, and Manila.

2022 PHITEX is made possible with the support of Philippine Airlines as its official event partner. Whilst the Primer Group of Companies, Newport World Resorts/Holiday Inn Express Manila, Globe Business, Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc. and Hotel 101/DoubleDragon Corporation serve as official event sponsors.