TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas will host the 2025 Central Philippines Tourism Expo (CPTEx) for the first time, with more than 200 participants expected to gather for the three-day event from June 20 to 22 at Robinsons Place Marasbaras in this city.
Organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the annual expo brings together key stakeholders from Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Eastern Visayas to showcase their top destinations, tourism products, travel packages, facilities, and services.
“This will highlight the various tourism products from these regions and introduce them to the broader tourism market across the country,” said Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes in an interview on Wednesday, June 4.
Eastern Visayas follows Iloilo (2023) and Puerto Princesa (2024) as the third region to host the CPTEx, a flagship event that promotes regional tourism collaboration and business networking.
“This is our opportunity in Eastern Visayas to not only promote our destinations but also engage directly with tour operators from different parts of the country,” Tiopes said.
The event will feature a business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, where tour operators, travel agents, and tourism service providers can forge partnerships and explore offerings from across the Central Philippines.
To further boost regional exposure, a familiarization tour will be conducted for operators unfamiliar with Eastern Visayas’ tourist destinations.
All six provinces of Eastern Visayas will set up dedicated booths during the expo, each manned by tour operators ready to market and sell their respective tourism products to visiting participants.
“Tour operators will serve as frontliners at the booths to directly promote their offerings and increase visibility in the broader market,” said Tiopes.
Beyond business, CPTEx also aims to celebrate the cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions of the Central Philippines while championing sustainable tourism practices that protect the environment and preserve cultural assets.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
