THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is staging an international expo to showcase the best of North Philippines at SM City Clark, Clark Freeport Zone from November 13-15.

“Dubbed North Philippines (NorthPhil) Tourism and Travel Expo 2009, the event will highlight the best cultural, historical, environmental and natural attractions and destinations of Northern Luzon and the rest of the archipelago as an international showcase for the world to see,” said DOT Secretary Ace Durano.

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“Direct flights to the international airports in North Philippines from some Asia-Pacific countries are available, facilitating easy connections for both inbound and outbound traveler. Thus, the event will gather, not only the region’s major industry players, but also end-consumers and members of the global travel trade and other allied sectors,” Durano explained.

“The expo is expected to bring in thousands of corporate, government, entrepreneurial, organizational and individual local and foreign visitors as it does every year, enabling exhibitors to meet potential partners and clients and generate business and establish market linkages domestically and globally, especially since the NorthPhil Expo will be held in Clark, which is an international tourism hub itself,” Durano added.

Previously a US Air Force base in Angeles City, about an hour’s drive from northern Metro Manila, the vast Clark Freeport Zone is the international commercial and cultural gateway of Central and Northern Luzon, with its own international airport and other infrastructure being developed to become the country’s biggest and finest.

At the heart of this freeport zone is SM City Clark, the venue of the NorthPhil Expo, now known as the premier international tourism and travel marketing event in North Philippines for the entire archipelago and other countries in Asia Pacific.

The expo is supported by the Philippine Tourism Authority, Clark Development Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Manila North Tollways Corp., and the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales as sponsors, and the Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Sun Star Pampanga, Punto Central Luzon, CLTV 36 and Bayan Productions as media partners.

Among the exhibitors are Cebu Pacific Air, Zest Air, Nayong Pilipino sa Clark, Holiday Inn Clark, White Rock Waterpark and Beach Hotel, Microtel Hotels and Resorts, The Legend Palawan, Red Coconut Beach Boracay, Puerto del Sol Beach Resort, Hotel Vida, Lewis Grand Hotel, Oasis Hotel, The Lakeshore Estate, D’Vine Global Trade Corporation, Golden Suria Travel and Tours, EZ Maps, Amanda’s Marine Products, Nut’s and Else, David’s Well Crafts, Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga, Bulacan Association of Travel Agents, Bulacan Association of Resort Owners, Pampanga Association of Travel Agents, Pampanga Visitors Bureau, Likhang Novo Ecijano Manufacturers Association, and the city governments of Calapan, Puerto Princesa and Tarlac, and many others, according to the Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corporation (Petco), the event manager.

Prospective exhibitors can make inquiries or reservations through Petco (telephone 632 - 8329303 to 05; fax 632 – 8329303, 5562723; email northphilexpo@gmail.com; or visit www.northphilexpo.com), or through the DOT-Region III office in Paskuhan Village, San Fernando City, Pampanga (telephone 045 – 9612612, 4772499, 6258525; email celtour@yahoo.com; and website www.visitmyphilippines.com).

Invited to join the expo as exhibitors are agri-tourism and leisure properties, airlines and air alliances, cruise lines, global distribution systems, golf courses, hotels and resorts, medical tourism hospitals and clinics, national and local government agencies, retirement villages, spa resorts and destinations, theme parks and amusement centers, time share properties, transport and tour operators, travel agencies and associations, tourism boards, and travel insurance and publications, among others.

The invited visitors are business and trade organizations, conference and convention organizers, foreign and local buyers, educational institutions, international and domestic travelers, travel agents and tour operators, tour organizers and planners, tourism associations and offices, and the general public. (PR)