DOT sets RP as Premier Wedding Destination at Hong Kong Travel Fair

The Department of Tourism continues to promote the Philippines as a premier wedding destination. Its latest move to tap the growing Asian market was during the 23^rd Hong Kong International Travel Expo (ITE) held last June 11 – 14, 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

With the theme, “Romantic Philippines”, the Philippine delegation, led by DOT Secretary Joseph 'Ace' Durano, featured the country's unique wedding getaways and exhilarating thrills, which captivated Asian couples.

“Our stunning landscapes truly make it a sought-after wedding destination. Couples would choose only the best for life’s most memorable events, and we are certain they would never run out of exciting discoveries in our many islands,” Secretary Durano said in an interview.

The Philippine booth showcased the works of leading fashion designer Renee Salud alongside with top local acts performing native dances and rendering Kundimans, or Filipino love songs.

Among the participating Philippine hotels and resorts include Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, The Manila Hotel, El Nido Resort, Boracay Grand Vista Resort and Spa, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, Le Soleil de Boracay, Hotel Seraph Boracay, Waterfront Hotels and Casino, and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

Travel operators Shroff International Travel Care, Inc., Castro Travel Solutions Agency, Le Soleil de Boracay, Happy Sun Travel and Tours, and Planet Holiday, as well as carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air were also present during the four-day event.

The 23^rd ITE, organized by TKS Exhibition Services Ltd., gathered over 650 exhibitors from 50 countries and region from Africa, America, Asia, Europe , and Middle East. The event drew over 13,000 buyers, trade, and corporate visitors.

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BiyahengPinas.com thanks the following sources for this article:
Ramos, Lily, Philippine News Agency. "Romantic Philippines" sets RP as premier wedding destination. Retrieved June 22, 2009 from
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=212232&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=ROMANTIC&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0
Reposted by Positive News Media at
http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Tourism_24/Romantic_Philippines_sets_RP_as_premier_wedding_destination.shtml

International Travel Expo Hong Kong Press Release. ITE & ITE MICE 2009 Visitors Undeterred by Swine Flu and Financial Crisis. (in PDF format) Retrieved June 22, 2009 from
http://www.itehkmice.com/doc/press_release/Post_show_17Jun09.pdf

Koumelis, Theodore, Travel Daily News International. Hong Kong’s only international travel expo open next week. Retrieved June 22, 2009 from
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/31310-Hong-Kong%E2%80%99s-only-international-travel-expo-open-next-week

9th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008

Various natural health products and beauty regiments were showcased during the 9^th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008 held last November 28-30, 2008 at the SM Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.”

With the theme “Your Health, Your Wealth”, the event aims to address the health, wellness and beauty concerns of the public and introduce new remedies, services, tools, equipment, and organic products that would help rejuvenate both mind and body. Furthermore, it seeks to increase the awareness and consciousness of healthy living and provide various options for the Filipinos to stay fit, healthy and beautiful.

During the 3-day event, participating professional health practitioners and medical doctors gave free consultations and conducted free health and wellness seminars. Also, over 60 companies offered various health and beauty products; organic, natural food and drinks, and fitness and wellness services to visitors. Others offered demonstration and product presentation of the latest organic, herbal and beauty products.

The event was organized by Fiera de Manila and sponsored by Health and Lifestyle Magazine, Aspendos International Corporation, Business Mirror, View Magazine, Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions Inc., HotOccassions.com, and HotWire.