Japan, Korea, and Taiwan continue to be popular travel destinations for Filipinos and those who come to the Cebu Travel Catalogue International (CTCI) 2019 can expect great deals on airfare and tour packages to these places.
But the three countries just make up a few of the international destinations on sale during the annual travel event, now on its fifth year, that will be held from Feb. 15-17, 2019 at Ayala Center Cebu, said Cebu Travel and Tours Association (CTTA) president Baby Dy.
Cebu’s top tour agencies will be offering big discounts and exciting incentives as well for travel packages to such places as Scandinavia and Russia, the Lapland, New Zealand, Eastern Europe, Spain and Morocco, Portugal and Spain for a Marian Pilgrimage, India, and South Africa. Travelers are now able to indulge on packages like the marrakech to fes desert tour luxury.
International destinations
Dy added that many Filipinos travel to Israel as part of a Holy Land pilgrimage but the Israel Tourism Ministry is joining CTCI to promote its country for other activities as well. The three-day event is jointly organized by CTTA and CATOS.
According to Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) Vice President Marget Villarica, a lot of tour packages to China will also be on offer particularly with several Chinese airlines opening new routes to Cebu from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Taiwan has also become a top travel choice after it waived the visa requirement for Filipinos, said Dy. The no visa policy for Philippine passport holders has been extended by the Taiwanese government to July 2019.
Eco-tourism products
For inbound travel, CATOS President Alice Queblatin said focus will be on eco-tourism products involving areas that are beyond the usual tourist attractions.
She added that the Cebu Provincial Government, one of CTCI 2019 exhibitors, has come up with and will heavily promote tour packages to northern and southern destinations beyond the usual go-to spots like Oslob or Moalboal.
It was also heartening to see that more destinations are joining travel events to promote themselves, Queblatin also said. The Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen and Danasan Eco Adventure Park, for example, have joined this year’s Cebu Travel Catalogue International.
Travel Catalogue participants
A new resort in Romblon that is set for soft opening in March will also be at CTCI 2019 to offer half off on published room rates. The Oceans Edge Resort in Carabao Island can cater to a variety of holiday goals, from relaxation and wellness to adventure, said PR and Communications Manager Jonice Pangilinan.
The resort, which has Caticlan as jumpoff point, will start with 51 villas. Oceans Edge is one of over a hundred participants and exhibitors to this year’s CTCI.
Czech Tourism joins the event for the first time while the Korean Tourism Organization, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Singapore Tourism Board will return to promote their respective destinations.
Airline partners
CTCI 2019 will have nine local and international airline partners, including Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, EVA Air, Korean Air, Silk Air, Tiger Air, and Turkish Air. Guests can expect promo airfares when booking through the different travel and tour agencies.
There will be daily activities throughout CTCI, with Lapu-Lapu City bringing in 200 cultural performers for the opening ceremony, said Queblatin.
Other activities include a fashion show by Rustan’s and travel auction. The Korean tourism group will reportedly bring in a surprise celebrity on the second day.
