SOME 25 tourism industry suppliers are set to convene for the First Tourism Business to Business (B2B) Northern Luzon conference to be held in Baguio City.
Esgala, a travel and tour agency based in La Trinidad in Benguet, is taking a leap on its 18th anniversary with the launching of the tourism business-to-business conference to give a chance to suppliers to establish connections and form linkages on October 13 at the Cordillera Convention Hall of the Baguio Country Club.
The event will have Benguet Governor Crescencio, Pacalso as guest speaker.
Among those expected to participate are international and domestic cruise ships, airlines, hotels, resorts and inns, inbound and outbound tour operator, online systems, travel insurance, and health and wellness services providers.
Enrique Esguerra of the Esgala Travel and Tours recalled their office only started with five suppliers in 2005 through an ordinary exchange of business cards.
Esguerra tapped all sellers to sponsor the event and invited travel services providers and tour operators.
“We are encouraging all travel services and tour operator utilize their time to talk, to meet this suppliers, because it’s only once in a year. To suppliers or sellers to take the opportunity to talk this travel services and tour operator most especially to North Luzon comprising of four regions,” says Esguerra.
Esguerra cited the event as an example of the collaboration of all stakeholders in their effort to promote tourism in Benguet.
“Doing business in professional way, Esgala is going to push (for) inbound tours which is the sustainability of the Umali Kayo Ed Benguet tour and we would be giving them every year a new destination in Benguet,” he added.
Esguerra noted that the number of travel services and tour operators in the province has increased to more than 200 from the initial 10 companies.
Esgala seeks to add additional tour packages such as Atok for its cherry blossom, Philippine highway system and the cabbage rose garden.
Existing tours included in the “Umali kayo ed Banguet tour” are La Trinidad, BSU, Strawberry Field, Winaca and Mt. Costa.
The half-day tour incorporates three areas in Mt. Costa, Winaca and Bencab Museum.
Esgala Travel and Tours has received citations as Baguio’s Most Outstanding Travel and Tours Provider, Most Active Tourism Industry in Region I, Cebu Pacific Air Awardee, and Philippine Airlines Awardee.