DOT-3 launches CL tourism exchange

• Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/29159/Volume-11-No-48/Feature-Article/DOT-3-launches-CL-tourism-exchange
• Monday, March 19, 2018

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – In an effort to continue the marketing and promotional efforts on the different destinations in the region, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 has launched the Central Luzon Tourism Exchange (CLTE) program.

In this regard, DOT officers and stakeholders such as travel agents and hotel representatives from Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Iloilo, Aklan and especially in this freeport gathered on Tuesday at the Midori Hotel and Casino here and presented the various tourism destinations in the region.

DOT-3 acting regional director Caroline Uy delivered the keynote address stressing the importance of knowing the legitimate tourism stakeholders to lessen or stop fake suppliers, travel agents and others.

“This event is beneficial to all stakeholders, a venue to promote the tourism industry in the region and support the flights in Clark airport. Although we have online directory and information, B2B is as important because it’s a personal approach in promoting company products and services as well as justify the legitimacy and credibility of the suppliers,” she said.

“Due to the success of last year’s Tourism Exchange with Cebu and Davao, we are now continuing our marketing and promotional efforts on the different destinations in the country,” she added.

Mabalacat City Councilor Krizzanel “Win-win” Garbo, in her speech, underscored the importance of the event “because it will promote various tourism destinations…”

Garbo said Mabalacat City is now promoting Haduan Falls as well as the Kamikaze Shrine as among the places where tourists can visit.

Audio-video presentations

Philippines AirAsia showed an audio-visual presentation during the event as well as Christina Enriquez, Bataan provincial tourism officer, where tourism trends in historical, cultural, product, people, sports and educational values in the province were highlighted.

Clark attractions

The biggest water theme park in Southeast Asia was also presented as part of the tourism destinations in the freeport.

Aqua Planet, a P2.5-billion project situated on a 10-hectare property in the northwest section of this freeport, was formally opened to the public on February 24.

It has 25 state-of-the-art water attraction facilities that are suited for both children and adults.

The New Clark City (NCC) was also presented by Josephine Poyaoan, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) tourism officer.

B2B

The highlight of the event was the “Business to Business (B2B)” discussions of Central Luzon/Clark - Iloilo/ Aklan stakeholders.

According to Chriselle S. Yambao, DOT 3 supervising tourism operations officer, this is the fi rst B2B event organized by DOT 3 in 2018.

“We are hoping to create more tourism exchange events in the future. The last time we were in Iloilo, the DOT Western Visayas and their stakeholders hosted a very successful B2B and familiarization tour,” she said.

“Now we are trying to give back the same hospitality and showcase what we have here in Central Luzon,” she added.

The CLTE is a program initiated by DOT 3 with the support of the local private tourism stakeholders.

The program consists of familiarization tours in Central Luzon and B2B sessions with tour operators from the different regions.