BY:JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 8 (PIA)--Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental booth emerged as some of the most favoured booths visited during the 25th Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Compound on September 5-7.
Dumaguete City tourism operations assistant Katherine Therese Aguilar said both Dumaguete and Negros Oriental booth was most frequented by viewers and potential tourists because it presented the charms and magic of blue waters through its beach resorts and beautiful coral reefs and the best dive sites in Negros Oriental.
According to Aguilar Dumaguete and Negros Oriental booth has become popular during the Travel Mart where top officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and several prominent individuals such as the Former First Lady Imelda Marcos and grandson Borgy Manotoc visited the booth and tasted the exquisite wonders and combined attractions of Dumaguete and the entire province have to offer with a free taste of the famous Sans Rival Sylvanas.
DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez led the ribbon cutting of the booth with DOT Region 7 regional director Rowena Lu Montecillo.
Thousands of local and foreign tourists visited the travel show to have a glimpse of various destinations in the country through booth exhibits.
The travel show is the biggest travel trade exhibition in the promotion and marketing of domestic and inbound tourism has been established by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).
Aside from the local government units (LGU’s), the Travel Mart also features booths from various travel agencies and airlines that offer best saving-rates for the services they offer.
City Tourism Officer and SINATO President Woodrow Maquiling Jr reiterated that this endeavor was a collaboration among most tourism stakeholders in the city and province, namely, the Sidlakang Negros Association of Tourism Officers (SINATO), the Negros Oriental Hotels, Resorts, & Restaurants Association (NOHRRA), Orientwind Travel & Tour of NOATA, Maganda Travel of ATTIN and the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NOCCI).
“Truly, we have marked our presence in the silver anniversary of the Philippine Travel Mart,” Maquiling added.
Dumaguete and Negros Oriental booth was manned by Maritoni Mascardo of the Provincial Tourism Office and Shiela Alejado and Antonette Zerna of the City Tourism Office under the auspices of Provincial Tourism Officer, Myla Mae Abellana and City Tourism Officer, Woodrow Maquiling Jr. They were joined by Miss Dumaguete 2013, Ms. Lorraine Kendrickson who was in Manila for the Miss World Philippines competition.
Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria and his First Lady Ma Isabel graced the occasion in support of the city’s tourism initiatives. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)