21 January 2016 – The beauty and magnificence of the Philippines and the unique experience that comes with travelling to the country was on full display at the recently held New York Times Travel Show last January 08 to 10 at the Jacob K. Javits Center, New York. The convention was attended by Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., together with Madam Eleanor De Leon, Philippine Department of Tourism New York (PDOT-NY) Representative Michelle Cristalle Dy-Vera, as well as Consul Felipe Carino III, who welcomed prospective travelers visiting the Philippine booth to learn about the latest tourism packages. Also in attendance were Ms. Zeny Pallugna and Mr. Joey Chanco of PDOT-NY and Ms. Daniella Usmanova, representing Philippine Airlines.

The New York Times Travel Show is a three-day event featuring nearly 500 exhibitors representing over 150 countries. By far, it is the biggest travel, trade and consumer show in North America, counting visitors from all over the world.  It is also one of the most popular attractions in New York every winter, with thousands of visitors flooding the Jacob K. Javits Center to learn more about destinations and new opportunities in travel. The event showcases products like exploring domestic and international hot spots, familiar favorites and under-the radar crowd-free escapades.

Consul General Mario De Leon lauded the efforts of the Philippine Department of Tourism and PDOT-New York, which actively promoted attractive travel packages to mainstream travelers as well as Filipino-Americans in cooperation with US travel operators and international air carriers. The Consul General noted that there were several outstanding travel packages to off-the-beaten-path destinations in the Philippines widely popular among American retirees and younger generation Filipino-Americans that can be marketed extensively.

PDOT-New York’s Ms. Michelle Dy-Vera is upbeat for the tourism and travel industry in the Philippines this year.  She said that her office is aiming to expand partnerships and develop cooperation with US travel operators and agents, mainstream organizations, including air carriers, to include travel packages to the Philippines in their promotional efforts and publications, as well as encourage a side-trip to the Philippines for American travelers to Asia. She found this year’s attendees to the Travel Show to have an increased interest on the Philippine tourism destinations. END