Tourism stakeholders in the Eastern Visayas region will join the Central Philippines Tourism Expo (CPTEX), which will be held at the Iloilo Convention Center on June 16 to 18.
The expo is a collaboration among the regions of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and host Western Visayas, showcasing their respective destinations and other tourism products.
The three-day expo consists of six events, which include the parade of festivals, tourism expo, business-to-business (B2B) meeting, product presentation and cultural performances, regional launching of the DOT’s flagship program “Bisita Be My Guest” program, and will also highlight the tourism agency’s 50th anniversary celebration.
“The Eastern Visayas team aims to expand our network through the CPTEX. We have with us local government units and tour operators who will present our tourism products to the Central Philippines market through the participating tour operators from others regions,” DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said on Thursday.
From Eastern Visayas, at least eight local government units are participating in the expo, including six travel and tour agencies, covering six booths.
The travel and tour agencies include Lorraine Travel and Tours, SMR Travel and Tours, Viaje Holidays Travel Services, Marsdenisse Travel and Tours, HIS Travel and Tours, and IM Travel Corporation.
Participating local governments include Southern Leyte popular for its twin islands of San Pedro and San Pablo in Hinunangan town, the historical town of Limasawa Island, and the world-class diving sites along Sogod Bay; Samar province known for Sohoton Cave, the Olot Torpedo Extreme Adventure River Cruise, the Marabut Rock Formations, and various waterfalls like the Lulugayan in Calbiga town and Tarangban Falls in Calbayog City; and Burauen town in Leyte province that promotes the Tanguile Trail Tour Package within the Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park.
Also joining them are the towns in the fourth district of Leyte that belong to a tourism alliance -Palompon which is popular for Kalanggaman Island, Matag-ob known for Bondari Peak, Isabel town that is promoting educational tourism, Merida town, popular for its beaches and resorts, and Albuera, known for mountain resort.
The Buraburon Festival of Burauen town in Leyte, one of the most awarded festivals in Eastern Visayas, will perform during the festival parade during the tourism expo. (PNA)