Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano on Wednesday said, “This year’s Phitex is envisioned as a strong avenue for tourism linkages amongst stakeholders in the industry. In a time of economic challenges, it is important to work together to find alternative solutions and creative programs to address these.”

Durano added that the DOT always encourages travel within the country to not only stimulate economic growth, but more importantly promote a sense of pride among Filipinos.

With the theme “Explore, Experience..The Philippines is made to be traveled,” Phitex highlights the country’s unique island attractions, as well as the myriad of activities which travelers can enjoy.

Travel-related companies all over the archipelago accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) may now join the annual business exchange to accommodate a larger set of participants this early.

Among the travel wholesaler invitees, more than a hundred are expected from Europe, mainly Germany, plus about 40 agents from Russia, Scandinavia and Turkey, a new potential source market.

Asian buyers are anticipated to likewise have a strong showing in the business tables with companies from China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the ASEAN countries. Rounding up the regions are buyers from the Middle East, India, North America and Australia.

Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. noted, “The country’s unique 7,107-islands are ideal for those seeking adventure, diving, history, culture, as well as dining and entertainment. This significant event features the limitless possibilities the country offers to local and foreign tourists alike.”

PHITEX ’09 kicks off on September 2, with Educational Seminars for interested Sellers.

DOT is tapping marketing representatives, top travel wholesalers and related authorities to provide delegates with vital information as well as updates on doing business with travel agents from key source and emerging markets.

Event partner Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) will be conducting a choice of new pre-event tours and activities for the Buyers.

The Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), which remains the most important component of Phitex, will feature business sessions that provide participants an opportunity to establish rapport and negotiate deals and arrangements with their counterparts.

Pre-scheduled appointments will be given each delegate for the intensive business-to-business discussions, which assure quality interaction between buyers and sellers.

“The buyers will likewise be hosted to an experiential program organized by the DOT Marketing Teams. The familiarization tour for buyers is an integral part of Phitex offering the VIP guests a chance to sample the spectacular beauty of our islands and experience first-hand the famed warmth of its people,” Jarque said.

Sponsored by Philippine Airlines, Phitex ’09 forms a considerable part of DOT’s aggressive stance to attract more travelers to our shores by directly engaging the major players and big travel firms of the country’s target markets.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Dir. Edwin Trompeta said that the tourism industry in Boracay and in the entire Western Visayas has remained to be strong despite the problems.

No Crisis in Paradise Island 

Recent report by the DOT Regional Office VI showed that from January to May 2009, a total of 337,666 tourist arrivals in the paradise-island or 5.16 percent higher than the 321,094 during the same period in 2008.

Of the these arrivals, Korea ranked first with 30,369. Korea has been consistent in topping the list because of the number of Korean students who are here to study and who take time out to visit Boracay island in Aklan province, together with their vacationing parents.

Second is China with 11,084 tourists. The direct flight from China to Kalibo has contributed much to the high number of Chinese tourists.

Tourists from Taiwan also ranked third with 7,014; United States of America, 4th with 6,155; Hong Kong, 5th with 3,201; United Kingdom, 6th, 2,835; Australia, 7th with 2,669; Germany, 8th with 2,660; Japan, 9th with 2,357; and Canada, 10th with 2,264.

There are currently 261 nominees from all over the globe, competing in 7 different categories, only 77 of which will remain after voting ends in July 7, 2009. The campaign is at its second of three stages.

The contenders have been classified into 7 groups which are: Landscapes/Ice Formations, Islands, Mountains/Volcanoes, Caves/Rock Formations/Valleys, Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves, Lakes/Rivers/Waterfalls, and Seascapes.

“It’s time we go beyond voting. Let’s all take an active part in promoting Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River to the whole world,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

“More than a popularity contest, this campaign advocates the protection and preservation of our unique natural wealth,” said Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions.

Voters anywhere in the world can take part in the poll through the internet or via the international telephone voting line, or with a personalized voting certificate.

Renowned as the world’s longest underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park also features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape. Inside its large chambers are stalactites and stalagmites formations, while at the mouth of its cave thrives a bustling ecosystem which includes monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels.

After the top 77 candidates have been determined, the New7Wonders Panel of Experts, led by Prof. Dr. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, will then take over to select the 21 Finalists.

The New 7 Wonders of Nature is an ongoing campaign sponsored by the New 7 Wonders Foundation based in Switzerland. The same group initiated the New 7 Wonders of the World project in 2007.

Majority of the visitors on the N7WN website has likewise voted for Manila as the venue for the proclamation of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011.

Italco is a cement manufacturing company, while Quality Circle Forum is a group of professionals involved in quality control for both government and private entities in India.

The groups are scheduled for shopping and clubbing around Metro Manila’s cosmopolitan districts and island-hopping in Cebu’s prime beaches.

“The emerging market of India is a significant source of arrivals, specially since global tourism groups point to the remarkable growth of India’s outbound tourists which are also in the high-spending bracket,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

The tourism chief cited the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) World Travel Trends Report 2009, wherein India’s outbound travelers recorded a 13% increase in overall trip volume in 2008, surpassing initial forecasts.

According to the report, more and more destinations are setting up tourism offices in India which is a booming source of arrivals that augment slowdowns in other affected markets.

“Indians also travel in groups not only for MICE events but also with their family. And as a recession-proof segment, they will not hesitate to spend on high-end accommodations such as five-star hotels and shopping sprees at our first-rate malls,” shared Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions.

India has been billed as a star emerging market with its more than 1 billion residents and burgeoning middle class. Business trips comprise the bulk of its outgoing travels. The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) likewise predicts more Indian travelers with its forecast of 50 million outbound tourists by 2010.

As of 3:00 PM yesterday, June 25, 2009, there have been 727 reported cases of the virus, of which 536 or 74% of the total confirmed cases since May of this year have fully recovered from the symptoms. Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), a notably rapid recovery is evident. To date, 85 more patients have completely recovered from the pandemic flu and were sent home, while new cases numbering 123 are being closely monitored.

According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, “From a global perspective, the H1N1 flu is no different from the known seasonal flu; it is mild and treatable. In fact, in the US and Mexico where it all started, it is perceived and responded to just like any other seasonal flu. The state of the global economy is still the biggest challenge for the industry.”

He added, “In Australia where the most H1N1 cases in Asia Pacific are recorded, the population has already overcome the initial psychological scare that an unknown virus naturally brings. Comparing such cases with the Philippine scenario, what we have is even milder. In the country, while the occurrences of the virus are in populated areas, these are not in main tourism destinations.”

“As far as the industry is concerned, my job is to make sure this temporary concern will not distract the industry from pursuing opportunities in the near- and medium-term,” Durano further said.

The DOT likewise reported that at present, 50 foreign tour operators from France, Switzerland, China, US, Canada, as well as Asia Pacific countries are here in the Philippines for the purpose of updating themselves on the new hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism experiences in the country.

For the previous months, the DOT has echoed the statements of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), issuing no travel restrictions.

As of 9:07 AM today, June 26, 2009, the WHO also reiterated that globally, the virus is not mutating for the moment and is stable.

The DOT’s marketing departments and regional units remain on heightened alert for any case of flu-like symptoms from arriving tourists.

DOT Marketing Teams report no buyer cancellations, especially for the present Philippine International Travel Fair (PITF) in Cebu, one of the biggest travel events in the country; and MICE Mart, also an important tourism event slated for the year.

Tourism attachés reported no cancellations or deferment in East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, US and Canada. Instead of expressing anxiety, American travelers planning to go to the Philippines have inquired more on the thermal scanning procedures and the quarantine process.

Ground handlers from the European market segment have issued no cancellations resulting from the flu, and agree that since it is the off-peak season, arrivals at this time are almost negligible. For France and Switzerland, the focus now is on air safety, following the recent Air France tragedy.

The DOT strongly urges tourism stakeholders and partners such as transportation services, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other tourism establishments, to be even more vigilant and impose stricter measures on proper hygiene to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Every step is being taken to ensure the safety of everyone. Airports and all concerned establishments from the tourism sector continue with their strict monitoring of incoming travelers who show initial symptoms.