In keeping with its commitment to help promote tourism in Central and North Luzon regions, the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) is spearheading a two-day outdoor travel fair meant to widen public awareness on tourist destinations in those areas.

The MNTC, builder-concessionaire of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), has partnered with the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) and Pilipinas Shell to ensure success of the event, dubbed “Tara na sa Norte!”

MNTC officials said the project, NLEX’s first tourism exhibits, would feature the John Hay Manor in Baguio City; Thunderbird Resort at Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando City, La Union; and the newly opened Ilocos Norte Hotel and Convention Center, among other tourist destinations in the North.

“Tara na sa Norte!” travel fair will be open for public viewing at the covered area of NLEX Shell Balagtas (Km. 32) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 19-20.

Visitors and guests at the fair can avail themselves of discounts in hotel and resort accommodation rates, airline fares, discounts on food and beverages, and special tour packages.

Other MNTC efforts to promote tourism in the North includes participation in events like the Panagbenga in Baguio City and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Pampanga, setting up of bulletin and canopy billboards, distribution of brochures and leaflets, and publication of the Northbound magazine.

The MNTC has also waged an aggressive tourism marketing campaign labeled “NLEX- Gateway to North Philippines” and “Rediscover the North ”which were both designed to boost local and foreign tourism to Central and North Luzon regions, notably the cities and provinces touched by the 84-kilometer toll way.

Tourism promotion has been a continuing concern of the MNTC-NLEX over the past five years as evinced by the corporations’ calendars which showcased traditional and emerging tourist spots in areas north of Metro Manila.

MNTC’s 2009 calendar with the theme “All in a Day’s Journey,” recently won an Anvil Award from the prestigious Public Relations Society of the Philippines as an “outstanding informative tool in promoting Central Luzon as a tourist center.” The calendar featured accessible tourist destinations in the region that could be visited within one day.