AFFORDABLE airline fares and tour packages will be at stake in this year’s Davao Mega Travel Sale (DMTS): Travel. Set. Go! on February 17 to 19 at Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City.
DMTS, biggest travel sale in Mindanao, will have 36 exhibitors composed of local and foreign airlines, cruise lines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, resorts and destination promotions agencies to give Mindanaoans discounted (40 percent off and up) deals for this year.
The three-day event is spearheaded by Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA), in partnership with BPI, Cebu Pacific, Silk Air, Sun.Star Davao and Amadeus.
DTAA external vice president and PAR Travel and Tours general manager Pia Lourdes Partoza said in an interview with SunStar Davao last Monday that the event will serve as a venue for gathering major industry players to launch new services or products and establish new marketing connections.
“With DMTS, people especially those into travelling are given more opportunities to travel this 2017. We promise that more affordable fares and tour packages that are within reach are up for grabs,” she said.
On its eighth year, the event will be more special as it coincides with Silk Air’s 20th anniversary in Davao City. Special rates on its foreign fares including Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and other Southeast Asia and Europe rates.
Partoza said that last year’s expo was a big success as they met their target of P70 million in gross revenues last year. The three-day travel expo generated some P50 million in gross revenues in 2015.
“We are eyeing an increase of 50 to 50 percent in gross revenues this year and we are but positive to achieve it as tourism industry in the region and Mindanao as a whole is booming,” she said.
Partoza also said that BPI reported that they met its target last year in terms of booking tour packages and airfares through swipe/credit card transactions.
She added that tourists and travelers have been preparing and waiting for the event to avail discounts as people are now more aware of the travel sale.
The expo will also feature anew the interschool dance competition to be participated by Davao schools offering tourism courses.
PH's emerging destinations
Partoza cited that Mati City in Davao Oriental and Surigao City in Surigaodel Norte are emerging tourist destinations in Mindanao.
“More bookings are set in these destinations as both are known for its pristine, white beaches, surfing and other ecotourism offerings,” she said.
In Visayas, Cebu, Siquijor and Guimaras are popular while in Luzon, Vigan remains a most-visited destination.
Partoza underscored that several international events hosted by Davao City catapulted the city to the center of interest and attraction for both domestic and foreign visitors.