City tourism attractions featured at travel mart

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Government has showcased the different tourism attractions of this city in the three-day 23rd Philippine Travel Mart in a bid to boost the local tourism industry.

The travel mart, which opened Thursday and ends Sunday, is being held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The City Tourism Office said that giveaways like gift certificates were also distributed to extensively promote this city’s tourism industry.

Also showcased during the travel mart is the soon-to-be developed Great Sta. Cruz Island, 1.9 nautical miles south of the city.

The City Government has allocated an initial P20 million funding to jump start the development of P50 million Eco-tourism Park at the Great Sta. Cruz Island.

Also part of the tourism promotion was the hosting of lunch by the City Government for tour operators, media personalities, tourism attachés of the different embassies, consulate offices in Manila and other dignitaries.

The three-day event at the Mall of Asia is the biggest and longest running travel trade exhibition dedicated to the promotion and marketing of inbound and domestic tourism.

This year’s event is anchored on Department of Tourism’s campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

It also features heavily discounted tour packages that will be promoted and marketed during the three-day exhibition, which was organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association.

Not to be missed during the Philippine Travel Mart are the yearly Special Events and Competitions open to students - Cultural Dance Competition, Tourism Quiz Bee, Bituin ng Kasuotang Pilipino, Eco-chorale, and Biyahe Info seminars. (Bong Garcia)