Travel Exchange key to ASEAN Tourism Forum

Davao City, Philippines - Dec 18, 2005

Of the various components of the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) on January next year to be in Davao City Philippines, the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) is the most significant, according to Susan Del Mundo deputy secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC).

Del Mundo, who is also a member of the ATF Philippine Host Council secretariat, said TRAVEX will expose Philippine sellers to foreign buyers during business discussions that will be held on January 18 at the NCCC Mall convention center.

"Travel exchange will be the most important and main component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum because sellers and buyers all over the world will discuss business buying tourism programs," Del Mundo said.

She further said that ASEAN sellers and foreign buyers will definitely close deals during the TRAVEX event, adding "these are guaranteed sales."

As of Thursday, the number of foreign buyers who registered with ATF 2006 secretariat reached 328 while all 458 booths for the ATF 2006 TRAVEX have been taken up while 1,000 exhibitors have committed to join TRAVEX, Del Mundo said.

Thailand will field the largest seller delegation with 133 booths followed by Malaysia with 100 booths.

Preparations are now underway for the major international tourism event.

Last week, ATF secretariat from Manila has moved base here, Del Mundo said.

She said the national government chose Davao City as venue when the Philippines was awarded the bid for this year's ATF, to give the city a chance to shine as a global destination.

"Davao is an exotic destination waiting to be discovered. We're trying to promote Davao to the rest of the world," Del Mundo said.

(PNA)

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