For the first time, the Philippine Travel Agencies, Inc., (PTAA) is bringing the 31st Travel Tour Expo VisMin edition here in Cagayan de Oro from July 19-21, 2024 at the Atrium, Limketkai Mall.
This was announced during a presscon held on Saturday, May 2 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel spearheaded by the PTAA Inc., led by PTAA President and TTE Chairperson, Evangeline T. Manotok, CPA, MPA, Evelyn Bondagiy TTE VisMin head, Tito Mora, TTE Vismin co-head, and Jaison Yang PRO-TTE Vismin edition.
The said event will be the first time to be held outside Manila. It aims to boost the booming tourism industry here in the city as well as other parts of the region by showcasing the many offerings of Mindanao from its delicious food, tourist destinations, and its vibrant culture and hospitality.
Manotok during her opening remarks said “For the first time the PTAA event will transcend the boundaries of Manila and cast the spotlight on the untapped potential and breathtaking beauty of Cagayan de Oro. This is the testament to the city’s growing prominence of its unique charm.”
“Let us all work hand in hand to showcase the city’s unpatrolled beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality to a global audience. Through united efforts, we can usher in a new era of tourism for Cagayan de Oro lamenting it as a must-visit destination on the world map. Together let us embrace the opportunity in the tourism narrative of Cagayan de Oro,” Manotok said.
The travel expo also provides an opportunity for local businesses participating in the said event to create a network of clients to connect international tour operators as sellers with local travel agents as buyers to foster collaborations, partnerships, and business deals.
Showcase Travel Packages and Services: Provide a platform for sellers to showcase their latest travel products, services, and destinations to all buyers. Lastly, promote Cagayan de Oro’s growing tourism industry as well as neighboring cities and municipalities in the Mindanao region by highlighting the beauty and variety of travel destinations both domestically and internationally, encouraging travel enthusiasts to explore new places here in Mindanao and enhancing competitive edge in the market.
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Acknowledging the stigma of Mindanao as a dangerous place to visit the said event aims to shed light on the matter through the expo, highlighting the best of what Mindanao has to offer underscoring the economic benefits it brings to the city and other regions in Mindanao.
“What we want to showcase is the beauty of the Philippines because when they say Mindanao some people are scared. This is our help to the government of Cagayan de Oro as well as the tourism Industry here,” Manok said.
For his part, Limketkai Luxe Hotel General Manager, Jerome De La Fuente shares his thoughts on why people should visit Cagayan de Oro despite the stereotypical belief of the northern parts of the Philippines and why the TTE plays an important role in paving the way for future development.
“I wanted to campaign that Mindanao is a safe place with the kind of travel advisory that I’ve issued out to refute what the American and Canadian Embassy came out with. As you all know I am not from this part of the world I don’t even live in the Philippines, I still live in Singapore. But I want to make sure that the Mindanao area particularly Cagayan de Oro which is the heart and soul of Mindanao – not Northern Mindanao.”
He added “This is probably one reason we we’re able to get the Philippine Airline’s 75th Philippine Golf Open, and again we are getting the first when the PTAA comes this July. I hope you will continue to support them it’s also one way of giving Mindanao a fair share of what Manila has.”
The said event was also joined by Cagayan de Oro City Councilor and chair of the city’s Committee on Trade & Commerce and Committee on Ways & Means George Goking for his part pledged his full support to PTAA and assures that the city government led by Mayor Rolando Uy will offer its help towards this event.
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