Philippines Sends Biggest Delegation Yet to the Internationale Tourismus Boerse Berlin 2023

Arnis performers clad in pintados costume flank (from left to right) DOT Undersecretary Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso, DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Barangay Health Workers Representative Cong. Angelica Natasha Co, Former Congressman Carlo Nograles, Chief Operations Officer of Philippine Tourism Board Margarita Nograles, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Deputy Speaker Vincen Franco “Duke” Frasco, Davao de Oro, 1st District Representative Maria Carmen Zamora, Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Gerardo P. Abiog,  and DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno.

BERLIN 10 March 2023 – The Philippines returned to the Internationale Tourismus Boerse Berlin 2023 (ITB Berlin 2023) - the world’s largest travel and tourism trade fair - with its biggest ITB delegation yet.  The ITB is being conducted face-to-face this year, after a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. 

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led 27 co-exhibitors from the Philippine public and private sector, with 43 delegates.  Secretary Frasco was joined by  Tourism Promotion Board COO Margarita Nograles, DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, DOT Undersecretary Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso and DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno, and a Congressional Delegation composed of Davao de Oro, 1st District Representative Maria Carmen Zamora and Barangay Health Workers Representative Cong. Angelica Natasha Co.

The Philippine stand delighted its audience with snippets of Philippine culture - an Arnis demonstration with performers wearing pintados costumes; Philippine T’nalak and Yakan weavers from Mindanao highlighting their rich weaving tradition and colorful products; and a booth offering coffee from Philippine-grown coffee beans. 

The Philippines’ participation at the ITB Berlin reinforces efforts to promote it as a premiere travel destination through partnerships with various tourism private sector players including tour operators, online travel agencies, new online distribution platforms, travel websites and communities, journalists, and influencers.  

Considered as a major event in the international tourism scene, the ITB travel and trade event expects 10,000 exhibitors and 160,000 visitors from various continents to be in attendance throughout the three-day fair. END