TPB, DOT spearhead Philippines participation in Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ)

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, together with the Department of Tourism (DOT), brings the Philippines to the Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ), the biggest travel trade fair in Japan from 22-25 September 2022.

The country’s participation in TEJ aims to reintroduce the country’s new tourism products, sustain the presence of the country, and develop and renew business partnerships, not only with the Japanese market but also with other tourism stakeholders worldwide.

Jointly organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the four-day exhibition started off with business-to-business meetings to strengthen partnerships among tourism industry practitioners. The expo site will be officially open to the public on 24 September where visitors can see and experience tourism products from different countries.

This year’s expo carried the themes “Taking on the New Era: Restart” for trade and “Hello New Journey” for the general public, and with this, visitors of the Philippines booth will be treated to culture, adventure, and gastronomic offerings catering to the new and diverse trends of tourism and traveling. The Philippines will be highlighting its top tourism destinations such as Manila, Boracay, Cebu, and Bohol among others.

The country’s delegation was headed by DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar H. Tamano and TPB Officer-in-Charge Charles Aames M. Bautista, together with private sector partners from Attic Tours Phils. Inc., Bai Hotel Cebu, Bohol Beach Club, Cebu Air, Inc., Gladex Travel Services, Herald Suites Hotels, Hotel 101 Manila, Philippine Airlines, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and Waterfront Hotels & Casinos.

“Tourism Expo Japan opens an avenue for every national tourism organization to stimulate demand for overseas and domestic travel. The Philippines has so much to offer with our 7,641 islands. This is an opportunity to showcase that beyond our amazing beaches, we get to highlight our adventure, culinary, wellness, and MICE offerings,” said TPB OIC Bautista.

DOT Undersecretary Tamano will represent the Philippines as one of the panelists in the Ministerial Round Table Discussion to tackle on “Climate Change – Tourism Stakeholders’ Endeavors” and “Coexisting with COVID in the Post-Pandemic World – Solutions for the New Tourism Industry” with other tourism ministers and key representatives from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

TEJ is expecting to receive 150,000 visitors with 1,800 exhibitors from 154 countries and 47 prefectures. The event has become an important brand exercise for national tourism offices in Asia showcasing destination attractions and product offerings.

DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast

 The Department of Tourism (DOT) presents its first podcast, “Escape: Stories from the Road,” showcasing the best destinations in the Philippines through stories from different personalities

Escape: Stories from the Road

This five-episode podumentary, a combination of podcast and documentary, infuses an element of storytelling, veering away from the usual question-and-answer formats of podcasts. Through these stories, the DOT hopes to reach out to the various audiences and inspire them to participate in meaningful tourism through unique experiences and local interactions.

One of the special guests, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, shared stories about Baguio—his home and a UNESCO Creative City. Photo courtesy of Kidlat De Guia.

Each episode follows a theme, such as adventure, identity, fiestas, music and food. Among the notable individuals interviewed for this podcast are National Artist Kidlat Tahimik; Dr. Felicidad Prudente, who is one of the leading Filipino ethnomusicologists in the country today; and former Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Paragliding adventure in Nueva Vizcaya. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The first episode on adventure features some of the best outdoor experiences in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, and Camotes Island; while the identity episode brings the audience from Baguio to Davao to share stories of people who, in finding the path to gain their identity, found the path to greatness.

The episode on music explores the sounds of the islands, from the city to the remote forests of the Philippines, emphasizing that music not only serves to entertain but to preserve history in our soundscape. The fiesta episode discusses how Filipino festivals have evolved from honoring patron saints to highlighting the best of the towns and provinces.

For the food episode that was recorded in May, then Tourism Secretary Puyat shared her advocacy in supporting local farmers and how this led to further developing food and farm tourism in the country.

DOT’s “Escape: Stories from the Road” podcast is hosted by travel filmmaker and photographer Aaron Palabyab along with guest co-hosts, national athlete Maureen Schrijvers; designer, musician, and filmmaker Kate Torralba; and sports broadcaster and podcaster Cesca Litton. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Castro, Overcast, and Anchor.