CLARK FREEPORT -- Government officials urged travel agencies and other tourism stakeholders to sell the Philippines in the domestic and international markets to boost the country’s tourism and travel industries.

Some 100 tourism “buyers and sellers” gathered at the Grand Ballroom of the Holiday Inn at this Freeport for the first North Luzon Travel Market Exchange (Tramex) for the business meet organized by the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas) Philippines Inc.

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According to Clark Development Corporation Benigno Ricafort Jr., the move of the group to sell the country to both the local and international markets would uplift the tourism industry, particularly in Northern Luzon.

“It’s fitting that you are here at Clark for this gathering as this Freeport, with the now bustling facilities of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and big developments at Clark at your beckon. We will definitely support you with our own tourism programs here which we are conducting right now. One of these is that we just recently trained our first batch of Aeta tour guides for the region,” Ricafort said.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico corroborated Ricafort’s statements, saying the DOT is also “all out” to assist tour operators and travel agencies in their efforts to “sell the country” and lure tourists here.

Naitas Chairman Emeritus Bobby Joseph said the North Luzon leg of Tramex is meant for the stakeholders to “sell more and earn more.”

“Domestic tourism is the backbone of the industry. We would like to see more foreign tourists coming in than more Filipinos leaving for abroad,” he said, adding that a concerted move of all tourism stakeholders would mean more business locally and better opportunities for folks in tourist spots.