Isla Events Center organized its first-ever Travel and Tour Expo to further boost tourism in the province
“Tourism management is geared towards developing students in formulating policies that will make tourist destination sustainable,”
With Cavite being near to Manila and a preferred venue of families and friends for their weekend getaways, Isla Events Center recently organized the first Cavite Travel and Tour Expo (CTTE) to boost the province’s tourism offering.
The event also attracted exhibitors from popular destinations in the country that offer travel and tour packages. Department of Tourism (DOT) IV-A CALABARZON Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Marites Castro led the ribbon-cutting ceremony that formally opened the 3-day expo at Isla Events Center located at Tamsui Avenue, Bayang Luma II, Imus City. She was joined by Cavite Tourism and Cultural Affairs officer-in-charge Rozelle Sangalang and CTTE Project Director and Isla Events Marketing and Sales Consultant Jonalyn Agrazada.
Castro said that Cavite has so much to offer in terms of tourism promotion. “We are positioning Cavite as a cultural and historical destination, so we need to capitalize on its rich history and many historical sites. We just need to fix it so we can shout to the world, ano ba meron sa Cavite?” shared Castro during the opening.
She added that Cavite, a hub for culinary tours, adventure and amusement, festivals, and shopping activities, should be tourist ready, complemented by a road network leading to these tourist sites. “That’s why we have convergence with DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways).”
Castro also highlighted the need to create a “sustainable and responsible culture of tourism” to attain inclusive growth. She expressed commitment to support product development, including improvement and enhancement of manpower through training, and creating affordable tour packages to entice more visitors. She likewise told tourism stakeholders to upgrade on new technology and use social media in their promotions.
Dean Margareth Fernandez of the International School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (ISHRM), the largest and leading school for HRM in Region IV with campuses in Bacoor and Dasmariñas, also noted that tourism management is geared towards developing students in formulating policies that will make tourist destinations sustainable. “It’s not just about Cavite because it is also about national and global issues. Since we are in Cavite, we are committed to teach our students to look into how they can help develop tourism in Cavite.”
One of the exhibitors, The Bayleaf Cavite, is a 4-star hotel and the second branch of Bayleaf (the first located in Intramuros, Manila). Now on its third year, The Bayleaf Cavite, represented by Wilma Esquejo, Director of Sales, shared that they achieved 62-percent growth since they opened in General Trias, Cavite.
The hotel has four F & B outlets—The Atrium, Bar on the 8th, PoolBar, and Fields, an all-day dining café—and has 148 rooms and suites that can accommodate families and groups. “Our rooms are a good mix of sheer elegance and lasting comfort,” she said. Frequent guests are golfers, students, local and European travelers traveling for both business and leisure.
Launched on December 2018, the Isla Events Center is being positioned as an events venue with “endless events possibilities.” Agrazada said the project comes as a pioneering venture “to make the public know that Isla also offers ‘other’ uses of the venue, not just for banquets and socials.,”
The Isla Management team is also tapping the “travel, trade and Manila-based clients by offering exclusive activities that are appealing to the buying public.” The center can accommodate up to 150 people in a banquet-style set up, and with a 30-vehicle guest parking area. Seminars and conferences can also be held at the Isla Events Hall, which can fit approximately 250 people in a theater style set-up.
For more information on Isla Events, check and like its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EventsIsla or visit www.islaevents.net.
By Ruby Asoy-Lebajo
Photos By Obet Constante
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