The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2023, the premier government-organized travel trade event in the country, is set to make a triumphant return to Cebu City after a 16-year hiatus. Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, this event is designed to showcase the finest tourism attractions, establishments, services, and products of the Philippines to a global audience.
This year’s edition revolves around the theme of sustainability in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), shedding light on the country’s digitalization and sustainability initiatives to meet global demands. PHITEX also functions as an innovative knowledge-sharing platform. Through its PEPTalk module, the event offers valuable educational experiences for local stakeholders and academic members in the tourism field, providing insights into the latest advancements in IoT, data privacy, and circular economies.
Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, the Chief Operating Officer of TPB, emphasized the importance of striking a balance between tradition and modernization in the evolving digital landscape, particularly in the tourism industry.
PHITEX kicks off on September 19 with the PHITEX Educational Program (PEP) Talk. This learning opportunity features discussions centered on this year’s theme, “Tourism Sustainability in the Era of IoT.” Distinguished speakers, including experts from various fields, are set to share their insights on tourism trends and sustainability practices in the digital age.
This year’s event will bring together 100 buyers from 18 countries and 168 Philippine seller delegates representing 122 companies for business-to-business interactions. TPB, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and private sector representatives, has meticulously screened the buyers to ensure their quality and legitimacy.
The opening ceremonies of this two-day Travel Exchange will take place on September 20 at the Fili-Nustar Hotel. The event will be graced by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, alongside Nograles and other DOT officials.
PHITEX serves as a significant annual marketing event that not only facilitates meetings between qualified international buyers and Philippine sellers through tabletop business appointments but also provides participants with the opportunity to explore the beauty of Philippine tourism destinations through pre and post familiarization tours.
For more information about PHITEX, please visit https://www.phitex.ph/.
