Travel Xchange The B2B Event: Exploring, Experiencing, and Exchanging the Best of Tourist Destinations

Travel Xchange The B2B Event organized by Selrahco, an event management company in partnership with the Department of Tourism Region 10 office, Cebu Pacific Air, Quest Hotel successfully held last February 21-22, 2018 at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City gathering stakeholders of the travel and tourism industry in Visayas and Mindanao, representatives from the hotel and resort sectors, local tourism offices, tour operators, and the likes.

The two-day event with the theme "EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE, and EXCHANGE" was opened with an invocation, followed by the national anthem, and hosted by Mr Celso "Toots" Jimenez Jr from Western Visayas which was then followed by a welcome remarks by Mr Decius "Yoyong" Esmedalla, Tourism Regional Officer of Region 10.

Delegates, and participants from different sectors were delighted and acquainted by the presentations of different regions from the Visayas, and Mindanao. Mr Toots Jimenez Jr, the emcee himself shared the wonders of Western Visayas through an Audio and Visual Presentation showcasing the beauty of the cities, and provinces under Region VI. These includes the land of sand, sound, and fiber where the famous White sands of Boracay Island can be found, and the Ati-atihan festival can be witnessed- Aklan, the Heart of the Philippines and considered to be the gastronomical haven- Ilo-ilo, the Island that fits your taste and dubbed as the "Mango Country"- Guimaras, the famous Chicken Inasal marinated in vinegar with a drop of soy sauce and spices and grilled to golden perfection which can be found in Negros Occidental which the famous Masskara Festival of Bacolod City can be experienced, and Antique- where the mountains meet the sea; either you discover the biggest flower in the world, the Rafflesia, on top of Mt. Porras in Sibalom and in the mountains of San Remegio, Culasi, and Barbazea or go rafting or kayaking in the rivers of Tibiao or kite boarding and meet the rough winds of Seco Island. 

Mr Celso "Toots" Jimenez Jr of Western Visayas

A Tourism representative from Region VII was then followed showcasing the Tourism updates, and marketing opportunities of Central Visayas through a presentation. This includes the visual presentation of the Bohol province as an Eco-cultural destination with top historical sites to visit such as the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Blood Compact Commemorative Shrine, Loboc Church, top natural wonders to visit such as the famous and world-renowned Chocolate Hills, Bohol Tarsier, Abatan River, and Panglao Island, and Eco-tourism destinations such as Danao Adventure Park, and Bohol Bee Farm. The province of Negros Oriental known as the Bounty of the Oriental Seas was also presented which showcased the historical sites to visit in Negros Oriental such as the Dumaguete Cathedral, and Campanario de Dumaguete, top natural wonders to visit such as Apo Island, White sand bar, Casaroro Falls, and Mabinay Caverns. Additionally, the Mystic Island of Siquijor was showcased together with the Resort and Heritage Destination- Cebu.

A tourist representative from Central Visayas

The next presentor, a tourism representative came from the Region IX of the Zamboanga Peninsula as he shared the region as the Diadem of the Philippine South. This includes the historical city of Dapitan City, and the famous pink sand of the Great Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga.

A tourism representative from Zamboanga Peninsula

This was then followed by a presentation by Mr Decius Esmedalla for the Region 10 also known as Northern Mindanao which includes the province of Misamis Occidental where the Christmas Symbols Festival can be found in Tangub City, Cotta Fort in Ozamis City, and the Caluya Shrine (Christ the Redeemer) in Sapang Dalaga, the Island of Camiguin- a world-renowned destination famous for its relaxing beaches, the province of Lanao del Norte with its many majestic waterfalls and blanketed by pristine tropical rainforests and is considered among the best preserved in the country, the City of Cagayan de Oro- the regional center of Northern Mindanao, one of the largest regional economies in the island of Mindanao, and the Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Philippines, the province of Misamis Oriental- the home to the Philippine Sailfin Lizan and Hawksbill Turtle, and lastly the province of Bukidnon labeled as the highland paradise in the heart of Mindanao. Bukidnon is blessed with an array of vast flora and fauna in the mountain ranges of Mt. Kitanglad, an identified ASEAN Heritage Park.

Mr Decius Esmedalla of DOT- Region 10

A representative from Quest Hotel shared the hotel's facilities, and amenities, mission, and vision, and announced special giveaways to be given away within the event period. This was then followed by a representative from Cebu Pacific Air also showcased their plans in the country, especially in Visayas and Mindanao where strengthening the ties for tourism development is included. Business sessions, and selling were conducted after lunch. 

A representative from Quest Hotel

A representative from Cebu Pacific Air

Giveaways were also given to the participants.

The TravelXchange The B2B Event sellers/delegates are as follows:

* Belleve Resort Bohol (Bohol)

* Lite Shipping (Cebu)

* Asiatic Adventure Tours and Services (Bohol)

* Almont Hotel (Butuan)

* San Remigio Beach Club (Cebu)

* Belmont Hotel (Manila)

* Savoy Hotels (Manila)

* Marco Polo Davao (Davao)

* Enchanted Kingdom (Pampanga)

* 4 Bros and I Events and Travel (Zamboanga)

* iTravel Tourist Lane (Zamboanga CIty)

* Dakak Resort and Properties (Dapitan City)

* Be Resorts (Cebu, Bohol)

* Bohol Beach Club (Bohol)

* Seda Hotel (Cagayan de Oro)

* Bai Hotel (Cebu)

* Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (Manila)

* Asia Travel (Pasig)

* Radisson Blue

* Park Inn

* San Remegio Beach Club

* Quest Hotel

* Limketkai Luxe Hotel

* Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort

Bloggers with Mr Decius Esmedalla, of DOT Region 10

TravelX-The B2B Event is supported by the Department of Tourism regional offices of Regions 7,9,10, and 11 with Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cebu Pacific, Quest Hotel, and Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort. With media partners, Business Week Mindanao, CDO Bloggers, KBP Cagayan de Oro Chapter, and CDO Dev.com.

More photos at www.facebook.com/BestSpotsPH

Mr Apollo Santos, and Mr Charles Lim of Selrahco

Hon Oscar "Oca" Morena, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor with the delegates

Hon Oscar Moreno welcoming the delegates of the Travel Xchange The B2B Event