TRAVELERS who are ready for an adventure, miss the adrenaline of the ocean, long for the serenity of the mountaintops, or wish to explore an ancient city can once again pack their bags and satisfy their wanderlust as Ad Asia Conventions and Exhibitions Int’l Corp.’s (Ad Asia Events) 6th World Travel Expo (WTE) is back.
Co-presented by Okada Manila, WTE, which runs from October 21 to 23 at Okada’s Crystal Corridor, will bring together destinations, tourist attractions as well as organizations and business trade relations in the fields of hotels, airlines cruises, and other means of travel around the world.
Miles Caballero, Ad Asia Events managing director, said that last March, she received a message from Carlo Baldonido, Okada destination marketing and partnership senior manager, inviting her to hold the event in Okada.
“I said to him that I will think about it first as we consider other venues,” Caballero said. “I intend to invite him to be a sponsor for our other events, not realizing that I will give in to his requested meeting.”
Caballero said they received a warm welcome fromBaldonido and the other department heads – all enthusiastic and accommodating during the meeting.
“They showed us around the facilities, especially the Crystal Corridor. I was hesitant at first because I am not familiar as to how we are going to set up in an oval area unlike the other spaces that are easy to be transformed, and the hotel is a five-star one that the price may be too expensive for our comeback physical event,” she explained.
It took her two weeks to decide as she also sought advice from friends. She likewise noted the persistence of Baldonido who patientlyanswered her questions even late at night and attended to all her requests.
Moving forward, WTE has proven to be the marketing platform for the travel industry.
Caballero said the event itself advocates championing, supporting, and promoting the best local and international travel options all year round.
“WTE has brought the ultimate deals and affordable quality prices for travelers,” she related.
In its sixth year, guests get to enjoy WTE’s products and services of roughly around 259 booths from travel agencies, hotel partners, tour operators, airlines as well as various lifestyle merchants in 5,700 plus square meters space at the Crystal Corridor exhibition hall.
In the nearly two years that international and local travel was put on hold, Baldonido, for his part, said the hotel has been busy preparing for the day when the country would reopen to the world.
“And I’m happy to say that slowly, we are getting there; and we are getting to that stage again now,” he said.
“This partnership officially marks our property as one of the premier expo or trade show destination of choice in the Philippines,” he underscored.
