Incredible India! (Photo by ISABEL C. DE LEON)

More exhibitors, more space and definitely more irresistible travel offers.

These are the main features of this year’s Travel Tour Expo according to Eduardo Jarque Jr., Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions.

The 17th Travel and Tour Expo started Friday, February 19, to a huge crowd wanting to get their hands on the cheapest travel deals at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay. Today is the last chance for bargain hunters to finally book their dream getaway as it closes tonight at 7 p.m.

The event is considered the biggest and grandest travel fair in the Philippines. Last year, the travel tour expo attracted a considerable 59,000 unique visitors, 215 exhibitors and about 417 booths, raking in a total of P216 million in sales.

This year’s Travel Tour Expo is slated to surpass the big numbers produced last year.

“This year is definitely much bigger in terms of space and number of exhibitors. On the first day alone, we already have a big number of attendees and we expect more people to come over the weekend,” added Jarque.

The much-anticipated event showcases low-cost travel fairs, tour packages and discounted hotel rates both locally and internationally. Eager travellers can find discounts ranging from 10 percent to 60 percent off their regular price.

“Aside from the promos and affordable packages, it’s also an event where travellers can learn more about the places they want to go and set their vacation. Exhibitors have very specific travel packages which are quite irresistible,” elaborated Jarque.

The Travel Tour Expo was conceptualized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) in 1994. It initially aimed to showcase the products and services of its members. Over the years it evolved into partnerships with the different sectors of the tourism industry including the Department of Tourism.

Since then, the travel expo has evolved into a much-awaited annual industry event and is considered the biggest gathering of travel agencies, tour operators, local and national tourism organizations, hotels, resorts, airlines and suppliers of travel-related products and services.

The event presents an exceptional atmosphere that stimulates the desire to travel among visitors especially with this year’s theme “Ready, Jet Set, Go!”

Travel Tour Expo is one of the primary reasons for the monumental growth of local tourism as well as a major contributing factor to the influx of tourists amidst the global economic crisis.

“More and more Filipinos have been inclined to travelling locally or abroad, but more importantly, events such as the Travel Tour Expo have made leisure traveling more affordable to the general public,” noted Jarque.