Dreaming of a sun-kissed, white beach getaway to Boracay this summer? Or a fun-filled adrenalin pumping adventure with the entire craziest theme rides? How about a perfect candle-lit dinner aboard a cruise ship with the sunset backdrop?

But wait, you can’t have all these luxuries all at the same time without breaking your bank account. Or perhaps you just want to snag the cheapest yet good quality service package, but don’t have any idea to get it.

These are exactly the concerns that made the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) hold the 19th Travel Tour Expo (TTE) slated on Feb. 17 to 19 at Halls 1 to 4 of the SMX Convention Center. Co-organized with the Department of Tourism, this year’s Travel Tour expo will feature 237 tourism-related companies from the Philippines, Asia, middle east, North and South America, Africa, South Africa, Australia, Eastern Europe and Europe. It will also serve as the launch pad of DoT’s “More Fun in the Philippines” slogan.

“it’s always more and more value for your money It’s a whole gamut of things and entire experience, “beams Aileen Clemente, president of PTAA.

We want to showcase the range and destinations. There are more touring, plane or the type of airline you use either low-cost carrier or full-assuring guests of an immersive experience with this year’s theme, “One Stop Shop to the World.”

For the three-day affair, guests can avail of substantial discounts on travel packages, products and services from the 237 companies occupying a total of 477 booths. Participating exhibitors include airline companies, cruise operator, domestic tour operators, government agencies, hotels and resorts, embassies, national tourism organizations, international tour operators and travel shops.

But it’s not all fun in the sun or at the spa for this edition of the TTE. Aware of the need to boost the country’s arts and culture scene, Clemente gladly shares that they have partnered with the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM).

The PTAA’s advocacy is to promote tourism. We feel resorts, beaches and the local government are well-equipped to promote themselves. We want to be able to have the same for our culture and arts.

Basically they’re (OPM) the beneficiary, but also they’re going to have some performances ion stage for the members of OPM, “informs Clemente.

Why is more fun in the Philippines? “Because we make it fun.” Conclude Clemente.

The exhibition is open to public for a minimal fee of P50 and P20 for senior citizens. Follow  the Travel tour Expo in twitter (twitter.com/traveltourexpo) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/traveltour.expo). For more information, call Fairs & More (Event manager) at 845-1324 or 759-6680, or the PTAA Secretariat at 552-0026.

Source: The Daily Tribune; Life; 16 Feb 2012