The 32nd Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) Travel Tour Expo 2025 opened with resounding optimism as industry leaders emphasized the event’s role in shaping the future of tourism.
With a shared vision of strengthening the travel sector, PTAA President Evangeline Tankiang-Manotok and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underscored the resilience, growth, and opportunities in Philippine tourism.
Delivering the welcome remarks, PTAA President Tankiang-Manotok expressed gratitude to participants, highlighting how the event goes beyond the traditional concept of a travel fair.
Tankiang-Manotok. (PHOTO FROM THE DOT)
“This isn’t just a travel fair. It’s a travel festival. Think of it like this: You can read about a five-star meal online, or would you rather taste it? You can watch a travel documentary, or you can live it. The PTAA Travel Expo is your chance to taste the world, to live the adventure before you even pack your bags,” she said.
Tankiang-Manotok emphasized that for over three decades, PTAA has played a crucial role in Philippine tourism, a legacy established by her father, Francisco Tankiang. Despite the rise of digital platforms and do-it-yourself travel planning, she asserted that PTAA continues to curate meaningful travel experiences, connect travelers with global destinations, and advocate for the industry’s growth.
“We’re not just keeping up with the times. We’re shaping the future of travel. One unforgettable experience at a time,” she declared.
Encouraging attendees to fully engage with the expo, she urged them to interact with travel experts, explore new destinations, and take advantage of exclusive offers not available online.
“It’s not just about booking a trip. It’s about experiencing travel before you even leave your house,” she added.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco reaffirmed the agency’s full support for the PTAA and the broader tourism sector, bringing with her representatives from both central and regional offices.
Frasco. (PHOTO FROM THE DOT)
“Officials and board of trustees of the PTAA, officials from local government units across the country, I have brought with me the entire central and regional offices of the Department of Tourism to emphasize our full and unwavering support for the PTAA,” she stated.
Frasco highlighted the Philippines’ strong recovery, with over 5.9 million international arrivals in 2024. While acknowledging that the country has yet to match the visitor numbers of some ASEAN neighbors, she noted a promising trend — longer stays and higher spending among tourists.
“As a result, Philippine tourism has recorded its highest-ever visitor receipts from international arrivals, totaling no less than P716 billion — a 126 percent recovery rate from the pandemic,” she announced.
The economic impact extends beyond numbers, with tourism directly and indirectly employing more than 16.4 million Filipinos.
“This is the profound effect of your work in transforming lives through tourism. Again, thank you for your dedication,” she told industry stakeholders.
Frasco detailed ongoing efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure, making travel within the Philippines more seamless and enjoyable. Among these initiatives is the Tourist Rest Areas program, which has established 32 rest stops nationwide, with 60 more in development.
“Our goal is to make traveling around the Philippines convenient, safe, and, as we like to say, full of love for our tourists,” she said.
Recognizing accessibility as a major challenge, the DOT introduced the Cruise Visa Waiver Program to streamline entry for cruise passengers, a move that contributed to the Philippines winning Best Ports of Call 2024 at the Asia Cruise Awards.
To further ensure visitor convenience, the DOT launched the Tourist Assistance Call Center — 151 TOUR, which has already handled more than 13,500 calls from travelers across 71 countries.
Frasco highlighted initiatives to diversify the country’s tourism offerings, including investments in dive tourism safety, halal and Muslim-friendly accommodations, and the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence training program.
“Since the start of the Marcos administration, we have trained more than 269,000 workers, ensuring every tourist touchpoint embodies the warmth and excellence of Filipino hospitality,” she noted.
The DOT plans to introduce Hop-On, Hop-Off layover tours for transiting travelers and launch the Philippine Golf Experience.
As the Philippines prepares to host the ASEAN Summit in 2026, the country will welcome key tourism leaders for the ASEAN Tourism Forum, further positioning itself as a global tourism player.
“These are exciting times for Philippine tourism, and I am grateful to have you all as partners in ushering in this golden era,” Frasco said.
With the success of the PTAA Travel and Tour Expo, industry leaders remain steadfast in their mission to make travel more accessible, inclusive, and transformative.
“We’re not just showcasing travel, we’re building the future of tourism, one connection at a time,” Tankiang-Manotok concluded.
