Subic hosts hybrid travel conference amid pandemic

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat (left) hands out a “Safe Travels” stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council to a representative of Acea Subic Beach Resort, which hosted the opening ceremony of the Philippine Travel Exchange 2021. (Photo courtesy of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has chosen this free port to stage its four-day Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2021, drawing 156 local sellers and 122 buyers from 33 countries, officials said Tuesday, Sept. 21.

This year’s edition of the travel conference, which was launched on Monday (Sept. 20), aims to communicate to the global market that tourism in the country is “safe and flourishing,” according to Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the DOT.

The event features hybrid (online and in-person) activities that are in strict compliance with new normal safety and health protocols and in adherence to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who led the conference’s opening at the Acea Subic Beach Resort, reiterated the need for safety to sustain tourism.

“Safety has become the number one concern of today’s travelers, and it’s something that the DOT, our partners in government, and all Philippine tourism stakeholders, have carefully taken into consideration when we began the difficult task of plotting the recovery of the industry,” Puyat said during the launch.

She said the DOT is targeting to vaccinate all tourism workers by 2022.

The free port was selected to host the conference as it met DOT requirements for holding MICE (meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition) events in wide-open spaces, Puyat said.

Wilma Eisma, chair and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, said an expanded vaccination program and “conscientious” adherence to health safety protocols would make it possible for the tourism industry in Subic to recover early.

The conference also provided curated post-tours in bubble arrangements to showcase Subic destinations, such as Grande Island, Pamulaklakin and El Kabayo, and Apaliin Trail, which are among the top tourist destinations here.

JPV