By Vic Larato
ZAMBOANGA
CITY,
Aug. 14 (PIA) - - Zamboanga City’s display
booth, featuring photos of pink-sand Sta. Cruz Island, was adjudged first runner-up
in the just concluded 23rd Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX
Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
This was announced yesterday by jubilant City
Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez, who said the City of Gingoog’s
indigenous design was declared champion in the booth competition (city
category) followed by Zamboanga City photo booth concept as first runner-up.
Anchored on the theme, “It’s More Fun in the
Philippines,” this year’s Philippine Travel Mart from August 10-12 was
participated by local government units of the different provinces, cities and
municipalities nationwide, Department of Tourism regional offices for
destination exhibits, accommodation and resort establishments including travel
and tour operators.
Last Friday, Zamboanga City hosted lunch for several
people mostly tour operators, media personalities, tourism attaches of the
different embassies and consulate offices in Manila and other dignitaries. Also
on hand entertaining the visitors was Mayor Celso Lobregat’s son, Marco.
In joining the travel expo, the city government
aimed at extensively promoting Zamboanga’s tourism industry by setting up a
booth that featured the city’s different tourist attractions including the
soon-to-be-developed Sta. Cruz Island about 1.9 nautical miles across the
mainland. Gift certificates courtesy of
the different tourism-oriented establishments in the city were given away to
visitors.
Organized by the Philippine Tour
Operators Association (PHILTOA), the Philippine Travel Mart Expo, now on its 23rd year, is the biggest and longest running travel trade exhibition
dedicated to the promotion and marketing of inbound and domestic tourism. Heavily-discounted
tour packages were likewise promoted and marketed during the three-day
exhibition. (JPA/VL/PIA-ZBST)