NAITAS to highlight PH top spots in travel show
By Jason B. Neola
Taking advantage of the surge in tourism as exhibited by the reopening of many island destinations and the pouring in of inquiries for travel packages for December, a travel show was organized by the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) that for the first time will reel off in Naga City.
Florence Rivera, NAITAS national president, said the event, which will be held in Robinsons Place Naga from Dec. 4-5 will showcase the best of both worlds, physical and virtual, as it will be conducted inside the mall with booths for local exhibitors.
The travel show will run while simultaneously having an online virtual expo for local and international business-to-business (B2B) sellers and buyers.
Rivera said the event responds to the call of the times, and aims to bring local tourism to the rest of the country and the world through another pioneering hybrid event, collaborating with one of the most famous Philippine destinations – the Bicol region.
E. Daniel A. de Leon, organizer of the NAITAS Travel Show 2021, said the event will highlight the many diverse and beautiful islands and destinations of the region.
“We are expecting around 600 to 800 travel and tour agents to participate in the virtual B2B meetings that is why this will be the perfect time for exhibitors to showcase their services and destinations as well as meet agents for collaboration,” Racquel Sabucido, NAITAS internal vice president and chair of NTS 2021.
The travel show is co-presented by the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Bicol Regional Tourism Council which is chaired by De Leon, the Bicol Association of Travel and Tour Operators, and NAITAS Bicol chapter.
The event is also supported by the Naga City government, Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, Naga Colleges Foundation, WRI Colleges, GNN TV 48, Converge, PLDT, Camarines Sur Watersports Complex, Tugawe Island Cove Resort, Embassy of Sri Lanka, and Philippine Airlines.
GMBM, Governor’s Night
On Dec.3 at 5:30 PM, a general membership and business meeting of the NAITAS will be conducted along with the holding of the Governor’s Night.
A welcome message will be delivered by Gov. Miguel Luis Villafuerte, which will be followed by a message of support to be tendered by Regional Director Herbie Aguas of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Bicol; message of solidarity by former DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, and inspirational message by Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte.
The 17th Bicol Regional Tourism Congress will reel off on Dec. 3, 2021 at the Robinsons Place. Among the congress subject matters include: Unleashing the power of collaboration towards synergy by DOT 5 Regional Director Herbie Aguas; the National Tourism Development Plan by Undersecretary Warner Andrada; A Showcase of MICE in Bikolandia (The Best of Bicol Presentation by BAPEO; the Exciting Bicol Virtual Tour: The Best of Bicol Destinations of the 6 Provinces by DOT V; Kulinaria Bikolandia: Cooking Demonstrations/Flairtending by Chef Billy Genterola;
Tourism and Hospitality: Collaboration Forum by Fe Buela (Government); Bong Aspe (Industry); Dr. Marilisa Ampuan (Academe); Dr. Regina Valencia as moderator and Dr. Gina Alcoriza for the closing remarks.
TOPS Summit
The 2nd Tourism Oriented Private Stakeholders (TOPS) Summit is slated on Dec. 5. Anchored on the theme: Survival. Resiliency. Transformation. New Normal, the conference highlights the presentation of the Regional/Provincial TOPS Officers, and the Confirmation and Acknowledgment of TOPS Bicol.
Aside from the talks that will be held in the activity’s morning session, the summit will also give way to the holding of the Bicol Tourism Awards.
Invited to grace the occasion in the evening of Dec. 4 is Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, who will be with the guests at the Mayor’s Gala Night in Villa Caceres Hotel, while Camarines Sur Governor Juan Miguel Villafuerte will take part in giving tribute to the events’ key players at the Governor’s Night on Dec. 3 in Camarines Sur Watersports Complex.