Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Travel Madness Expo (TME) Chairperson and Travel Innovators, Inc. President Maria Paz Alberto led the official opening of the much-anticipated Travel Madness Expo 2025 at the SMX Convention Center.
Now in its 12th edition, this year’s expo embraces the theme “A Dozen Reasons to Travel the World,” showcasing an incredible array of over 250 exhibitors-from National Tourism Organizations to airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel agencies, theme parks, insurance companies, food vendors, and retail outlets-making it one of the largest travel and trade expos in the country.
In her keynote address, Frasco emphasized the power of collaboration in driving the growth of tourism in the Philippines, saying the gathering reflects a shared aspiration, not only to promote travel, but to uplift lives across the industry.
“All of us gathered here today represent a collective aspiration, not just to travel, but to contribute meaningfully-for tourism, after all, is no longer just a leisurely exercise. Rather, and especially for our country, tourism is a source of hope and livelihood for millions and millions of Filipinos,” the tourism chief said citing the Philippine Statistics Authority’s latest data indicating that tourism contributes nearly 9% to the country’s GDP and provides employment to almost 14% of the national workforce.
“Your work is part of the continuing and ever-evolving story of the building of our nation.”
“Your work is part of the continuing and ever-evolving story of the building of our nation. As you continue to support the landscape of the Philippine tourism industry, you continue to support the livelihood of our fellow Filipinos,” the tourism head added.
Alberto echoed this message of resilience and revival, expressing her belief that Filipinos will always find a reason to explore, discover, and connect through travel.
“The most important part of traveling is learning more about the culture of other countries, learning more about the beauty of our own country.”
“The most important part of traveling is learning more about the culture of other countries, learning more about the beauty of our own country. As people say, ‘wag tayong maging foreigners sa ating sariling bansa. So, it’s very important that all of us should enjoy and visit all the 7,641 islands, ” she enthused.
Joining the opening ceremony were key government and industry figures, including former Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista; Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano represented by Lesley Anne Calixto Rubiano; International Air Transport Association Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific Sheldon Hee; Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) President Arjun Shroff; NAITAS President Florence Rivera; Philippine Hotel Owners Association Executive Director Bong Benzon; SMX Convention Center Vice President and General Manager Michael Albana.
Also present were DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, Assistant Secretaries Czarina Zara-Loyola and Ronald Conopio, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Assistant COO Jetro Lozada, and other DOT officials.
