31 October 2013 – With a view to increasing visitor arrivals from Canada, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie B. Gatan attended the 25th International Tourism and Travel Show (ITTS), one of the biggest consumer fairs in Canada and an established launch pad for Canadian travellers and vacationers.
On October 26 at Place Bonaventure, Ambassador Gatan led Philippine Embassy officials and Department of Tourism representative Mitchelle Dy, in networking with business development and marketing managers from the Canadian travel industry while pushing the country’s It’s More Fun in the Philippines (IMFIT PH) brand as well as Team Philippines-Canada’s Winter Escapade tour package at the consumer show.
The Ambassador and his team initiated exploratory discussions with potential partner tour operators namely, Incursion Voyages, Celebritours, Groupes Vacances, and small group specialist Journeys of Discovery as well as prospective partner carriers such as Qatar Airways, Korea Air and Eva Air while ensuring the visibility of Philippine Airlines through corporate giveaways.
The Philippines was among 100 countries represented at ITTS by tourism offices, tour operators and travel agencies vying for the attention of 35,000 visitors to the event, more than 70% of whom were planning to make a travel-related purchase in the next six months.
Visitors warmly applauded the cultural presentation by the PAMANA ng LuzViMinda Philippine Folkloric Dance Company which created a positive impression of Filipino culture at the ITTS’ Place d’animation Évasion on October 27.
“ITTS is a highly-anticipated annual event affording visitors the opportunity to discover new travel destinations, including the Philippines. We are here to position the Philippines in a growing Canadian long-haul market and to expand awareness of our IMFIT PH brand,” Ambassador Gatan stated. END
