It is more fun in Ilocos Norte at 23rd Phil Travel Mart

By Carlo P. Canares

Wednesday 8th of August 2012

LAOAG CITY, Aug. 8 (PIA) -- Looking for a vacation spot or venue for your business affair? Ilocos Norte may be the place for you.

The local governments of Ilocos Norte and the City of Laoag are joining the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) to show that it is indeed more fun here.

This annual event organized by the Philippine Tour Operators in association with the Department of Tourism showcases the Philippines as a dream tourist destination. The traveler is never short of options as tour operators and exhibitors present their tour products that “It is more fun in the Philippines.”

Xavier Ruiz of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Tourism Office said the PTM is a good venue to present the province as a tourist destination.

“We hope to reach out to more people to come to Ilocos Norte and the City of Laoag,” he said.

At the PTM, there will be 4 travel agencies and 8 hotels from the province that will be selling tour products to suit every traveler.

“We will present our ‘Paoay Kumakaway’ tourism campaign at the event. We will feature Ilocos Norte as a heritage, sports, eco-adventure destination,” Ruiz said.

Ilocos Norte is among the top 10 tourist destinations in the country, favored for its pristine beaches, rich culture and heritage, glorious food, water and land sports adventure, geological wonders and geographical location which can easily be reached by land and air.

Tourism is an engine of growth for local economies as it builds commerce, trade; creates livelihood and employment.

This year, in showcasing its products, the local government will present a “very corporate look” in the aesthetic design of its pavilion.

According to Ruiz, the province, together with the City of Laoag, has won 1st place in the best booth competition in 2009 and 2010; and 2nd place last year.

The PTM will be held on August 10-12 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. (ANL/CPC-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)