‘Revenge travel’ continues at Travel Sale Expo 2023

OneKlik's Travel Sale Expo 2023, themed "Travel Is On and It's Unstoppable," recently held its grand launch at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. Spearheaded by this year's Travel Sale Expo chairperson Michelle Taylan, the event aims to boost travel and tourism business.

Taylan, former Philippine Travel and Agencies Association president, shared her desire to inspire more people to go on transformative adventures, given the travel industry's unprecedented growth and the demand for travel-related goods and services. Her vision is to make travel effortless.

"It all started with a dream to make travel as easy as one click," she said.

Taylan also emphasized their commitment to provide unforgettable experiences and
top-notch quality service. The OneKlik's Travel Expo seeks to empower travelers by providing them many exciting options and chances to explore new vistas and alluring deals from travel agencies and companies.

This year's travel expo will be held at the Megatrade Halls of the SM Megamall in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, from 29 September to 1 October.

As part of the event, a Global Tourism Conference and Trade Fair will be launched, bringing together industry leaders, public and private sector representatives, and tourism stakeholders for a day of business networking.

"Traveling is what makes us open to new experiences, and with a unique journey that our country has to offer, what more can we say other than 'Love the Philippines,'" Taylan said.

Special guests during the launch included Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., Melany Sy, and Vishal Kadian from Union Bank; Gel Gomez, director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel 101; Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, the ambassador of Malaysia; Ahmed Shehabeldin, the ambassador of Egypt; Ilan Flus, the ambassador of Israel; Ahmed Saad N.A. Al-Homidi, the ambassador of Qatar; Miguel Utray Delgado, the ambassador of Spain; Huang Huy Chung, the ambassador of Vietnam; Balibor Micka, charge de affairs of the Czech Republic; Ivone Gomes, consul at the Embassy of Brazil; Hyung Joon Kim, director of KTO; Romy Go from Guam Visitors Bureau; Anna Oraiza Aban from Malaysia Tourism; Raj Joshua Bangi, general manager of OneKlik; Cleo Albis, Megaworld's director of sales and marketing; Bob Zozobrado, president of TCP; Myra Paz V. Abubakar, undersecretary of the Department of Tourism; James Huang, country manager of Starlux; Fely Anne Salvador from Airswift; Pam Navarro from United Airlines; Joan Marie Pagdanganan from Turkish Airlines; Angela Andrea Velez from Cebu Pacific; and Donald Morris from Cathay Pacific Airways.

"The Philippines holds things beyond final adventure," said DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz V. Abubakar. It is a powerhouse of mega biodiversity, a deep wealth of culture and history. A profound taste and flavors and gastronomy. A tapestry of indigenous people and creative communities. All of these can be encapsulated in one simple word, love."

Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino also encouraged everyone to explore Mindanao. Furthermore, Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin offered key factors to determine successful tourism, such as profiling, services and cost.

The director of the Korea Tourism Organization, Hyung Joon Kim, also gave insightful information about Korea's three international airports of entry: Jeju, Yangyang and Muan.

The Travel Sale Expo will offer a variety of thematic tour packages, honeymoon getaways, sports tourism, health and wellness retreats and travel tours to domestic and foreign destinations.

The expo will also have game shows, entertainment and cultural acts. Lucky guests will have a chance to win cash prizes and trips to local and international destinations. Visitors can take advantage of special airfares and inexpensive tour bundles during the three-day event.

The Travel Sale Expo 2023 is being organized and presented by OneKlik Events, Unionbank, the Tourism Congress of the Philippines and the Global Tourism Business Association.