Major travel suppliers to converge in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — More than a hundred ‘travel and get-away’ suppliers will converge in Cebu next month in a three-day regional travel fair.

Organized by the MyEventology Co., the 5th International Travel Fair (ITF 2018) carries the theme "It’s All Here" will bring major travel and vacation suppliers all over the country such as hotels, resorts, airlines, travel specialists, among others to provide a venue for the travel savvy market to book their travel plans at cheaper rates.

To be held on July 13-15, 2018 at the Ayala Center Cebu, the ITF 2018 supports the active interest of the local market to invest on travel either in local and international destinations, said MyEventology Co., managing director Stephanie Villahermosa.

She noticed that the local traveling market is getting younger as friends or "barkadas" are spending their money on memorable travel escapades. Family bookings have also increased in number, while Japan, Korea and Hong Kong topped the destination choices among Filipinos.

Last year's ITF, Villahermosa said she saw an overwhelming interest of families traveling to Korea, Japan and also Europe.

The participating airlines' attractive airfare packages and accommodation offers from outbound travel specialists have encouraged families and friends to avail of packages, she added.

Philippine Airlines' senior assistant vice president for Visayas and Mindanao sales and services Harry Inoferio confirmed that younger batch of travelers is more active now, especially those who are working in BPOs who are spending weekend getaways in other domestic destinations.

In lieu of Boracay (which is still under rehabilitation) popular leisure escapes are Siargao, Legazpi, Albay, and Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Inoferio added that aside from Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, Thailand is also becoming a popular destination for Filipino families, and groups of younger friends.

In the first quarter of 2018, a strong surge of outbound travel was noted in Cebu, with approximately half a million passengers.