Business

World Travel Expo sets 3-day exhibit in Iloilo City

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Key figures from the travel and tourism industry gather at the opening of the World Travel Expo – Western Visayas at Festive Walk Iloilo in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Photo shows (from left) Paul Martin (Festive Walk Mall), Andrea Guanco (President, Iloilo Bloggers Society), Miles Caballero (Managing Director, Ad Asia Events Group), Teuila Metcalfe (Director of Corporate Marketing, Club Wyndham Asia), Crisma Rodriguez (Regional Director, DOT-6), Edwin Raymundo (former President, Boracay Foundation), and Admiral Leonard Tirol and Yev Gelito (Board of Directors, Boracay Foundation). AJ PALCULLO PHOTO

ILOILO City – The World Travel Expo (WTE) officially opened its doors at Festive Walk Iloilo, marking its first-ever stop in Western Visayas. Running from March 14 to 16, the event brings together 25 exhibitors from across the travel and tourism industry, offering exclusive deals and showcasing top destinations.

Twenty-five exhibitors from across the travel and tourism industry offer exclusive deals and showcase top destinations. AJ PALCULLO PHOTO

The event’s opening ceremony was attended by key figures in the tourism sector, including Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 Director Crisanta P. Rodriguez, who also served as the guest speaker.

Rodriguez, in her speech, emphasized the region’s vast tourism potential, positioning Western Visayas as a must-visit destination not just for domestic travelers but also for the global market.

Ad Asia Events Managing Director Miles Caballero shared that WTE, now in its ninth year, has expanded beyond Metro Manila to reach regional markets.

“Western Visayas was always part of our expansion plans, but we had to wait for the right venue to ensure a successful event,” Caballero said. “We started our regional series in Cebu in 2023, followed by Southern Mindanao, and now we are here in Iloilo. We chose Iloilo because it has international flight connections, and we know that Ilonggos love to travel.”

Caballero noted the strong industry support for the expo, with exhibitor slots quickly filling up beyond their initial target of 18 to 20 participants.

“We were overwhelmed by the response. The demand from exhibitors and sponsors exceeded our expectations, which shows the growing enthusiasm for travel in Western Visayas,” she added.

The three-day expo gathers representatives from airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, and resorts, providing visitors with a comprehensive platform to explore travel packages and tourism opportunities. Guests can take advantage of exclusive promotions, book trips on-site, and gain insights from industry experts.

Organizers encourage travel enthusiasts from across the region to visit WTE Iloilo and make the most of the event’s special offers. The expo is open to the public from March 14 to 16, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m./PN