Text by Ana Valenzuela | Photos by Rhoy Cobilla | Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon.com · Saturday, September 7, 2013 · 7:12 pm
http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/10-travel-destination-deals-at-the-24th-philippine-travel-mart
http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/10-travel-destination-deals-at-the-24th-philippine-travel-mart
Visitors check out deals at a Travel agency’s booth at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center, September 6, 2013. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
The 24th Philippine Travel Mart Philippine, organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) at the SMX Convention Center, is a traveler’s paradise. Hundreds of travel deals on airfare and hotel stays are available this year at the event, which is expected to have around 40,000 visitors from opening day, September 6, through its closing day on Sunday, September 8.
Even if you’re not yet in vacation mode, you just might change your mind when you see all the affordable packages and prices of top local destinations.
This year, the yearly travel fair racks up some must-grab deals. Air Asia and Philippine Airlines, for instance, are some of the airline companies slashing off their price. Cebu Pacific is offering 50 percent off for bookings made for travel date from October 1 to December 31, 2013, and a whopping Php1 fare (certain charges not included) for travel on June 1 to December 31, 2014.
Hundreds of visitors register on the first day alone of the yearly Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center, September 6, 2013. The travel bazaar offers special deals and travel promos for airfares and hotel stays. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
Deals that you can only find in the Travel Mart, unexplored places that you will surely look forward to visiting, and more bounties worth uncovering are at the travel mart. Go ahead and make the Travel Mart your weekend part of your place this weekend. It’s ongoing till Sunday, September 8.
1. Puerto Princesa, Palawan for Php2,250 per night.
The underground river, glorious beaches, and an hour’s ride away from Manila, it is no wonder why this city is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the country. Stay in a small Pension house, resort or hotel and enjoy the sites of Puerto Princesa. The Travel Fair offers so many packages, you’d drown at how many flyers for Palawan alone you will get. You can find a good rate for as low as Php2,250 per person in a pension house accommodation with free breakfast (courtesy of Universal Planet). Package includes airport transfers city tour, and Underground River tour or Honda Bay Island Hopping with lunch.
The underground river, glorious beaches, and an hour’s ride away from Manila, it is no wonder why this city is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the country. Stay in a small Pension house, resort or hotel and enjoy the sites of Puerto Princesa. The Travel Fair offers so many packages, you’d drown at how many flyers for Palawan alone you will get. You can find a good rate for as low as Php2,250 per person in a pension house accommodation with free breakfast (courtesy of Universal Planet). Package includes airport transfers city tour, and Underground River tour or Honda Bay Island Hopping with lunch.
High-end Puerto Princesa resort, Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa offers beach villas for only Php5,850 for the Philippine Travel mart weekend only. Rooms are good until end of May next year, regular rate of the villa Php6,500.
2. Allah Valley, South Cotabato for Php2,500 per night
Dubbed as the land of Dreamweavers, journey through South Cotabato and get to see the grand view cultural emblem which is T’nalak weaving. Get to meet the T’boli people, while trekking in Lake Holon, crater of Mt. Melibingoy and explore Allah Valley more. One place to stay is at the Farm @ Carpenters hill, which offers a room for as low as Php2,500 per night. For more travel information, contact Rels Rendje, Tour Operator at (+63) 917-5378786 or (+63) 928-3443344
Dubbed as the land of Dreamweavers, journey through South Cotabato and get to see the grand view cultural emblem which is T’nalak weaving. Get to meet the T’boli people, while trekking in Lake Holon, crater of Mt. Melibingoy and explore Allah Valley more. One place to stay is at the Farm @ Carpenters hill, which offers a room for as low as Php2,500 per night. For more travel information, contact Rels Rendje, Tour Operator at (+63) 917-5378786 or (+63) 928-3443344
3. Island of Negros for Php388++ per night.
Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental are provinces that belong in two separate regions, Central and Western Visayas, respectively, and have separate identities. Oriental is known more for Silliman university and the dive site in Apo Island while Occidental gained popularity for its capital, Bacolod and the famed Masskara festival. Negros perks up the agriculture scene with organic farming and even offers seminars as well as samples of the produce in different model farms.
Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental are provinces that belong in two separate regions, Central and Western Visayas, respectively, and have separate identities. Oriental is known more for Silliman university and the dive site in Apo Island while Occidental gained popularity for its capital, Bacolod and the famed Masskara festival. Negros perks up the agriculture scene with organic farming and even offers seminars as well as samples of the produce in different model farms.
Go Hotels offers rooms for as low as P388 + vat per night, pension houses cost about Php550 per room. For tour information, contact Viaje Negrense, at(+63) 917-3000060.
4. Subic, Olangapo for Php4,000 per night.
Famed for its naval bases, Subic Bay has been turned into a crowd drawer with its duty free shops, water sports activities, and relics from the World War 2. PhilTOA got together a group of Subic Bay hotels and resorts, who slashed off prices for the Travel mart attendees. The Subic Yacht Club offers a Php4,000 gift certificate for room accommodation, usually worth Php6,500. The gift certificate includes gym use, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool use, while a two hour yacht cruise comes with additional cost. Grande Island Resort, a triple A resort in Subic, offers rooms for as low as P3,840 per night, published rate is P6,600. Have a laid-back day on the island or indulge in water sports activities like snorkelling and jet-skiing.
Famed for its naval bases, Subic Bay has been turned into a crowd drawer with its duty free shops, water sports activities, and relics from the World War 2. PhilTOA got together a group of Subic Bay hotels and resorts, who slashed off prices for the Travel mart attendees. The Subic Yacht Club offers a Php4,000 gift certificate for room accommodation, usually worth Php6,500. The gift certificate includes gym use, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool use, while a two hour yacht cruise comes with additional cost. Grande Island Resort, a triple A resort in Subic, offers rooms for as low as P3,840 per night, published rate is P6,600. Have a laid-back day on the island or indulge in water sports activities like snorkelling and jet-skiing.
A mascot of this Subic beach resort adds cheer and fun at the 24th Philippine Travel Mart, September 6 to 8, 2013 at SMX Convention Center. Photo by Rhoy Cobilla, InterAksyon.com.
5. Siquijor for Php650 per night.
The mystique island, once called the Island of fire, as it was believed that fireflies lit the city at night is full of wonderful beaches, historical sites, and love potions and herbal products to boot. There are many paces to stay which offer rates as low as Php650 per night.
The mystique island, once called the Island of fire, as it was believed that fireflies lit the city at night is full of wonderful beaches, historical sites, and love potions and herbal products to boot. There are many paces to stay which offer rates as low as Php650 per night.
6. La Union for Php6,853 per night.
Tagged as the Surfing Capital of the North, La Union lets the rolling mountains come across the glorious waves of the sea. Yet, there is more to this province than its ultra fine beaches, as it presents eco-trail, botanical garden, silver craft, and many more. The Travel Mart racks up amazing prices, yet nothing can compete with Thunderbird Resorts’ deal of Php6,853 (originally Php8,900) for the weekdays, and Php7,315 (Php9500) for the weekends.
Tagged as the Surfing Capital of the North, La Union lets the rolling mountains come across the glorious waves of the sea. Yet, there is more to this province than its ultra fine beaches, as it presents eco-trail, botanical garden, silver craft, and many more. The Travel Mart racks up amazing prices, yet nothing can compete with Thunderbird Resorts’ deal of Php6,853 (originally Php8,900) for the weekdays, and Php7,315 (Php9500) for the weekends.
7. Leyte for Php5,485 per night.
Where did General Douglas MacArthur return when he vowed to do so? Nowhere else but Leyte. Apart from a monument to MacArthur and the San Juanico bridge, other visitor spots of these Visayan province includes the Lake Danao, the virgin islet of Kalanangaman, and Tabuk. Whole day trip be from Php1,865 to Php5,485 (depending on the number of persons). For more travel information contact, (+632917) 321-7966.
Where did General Douglas MacArthur return when he vowed to do so? Nowhere else but Leyte. Apart from a monument to MacArthur and the San Juanico bridge, other visitor spots of these Visayan province includes the Lake Danao, the virgin islet of Kalanangaman, and Tabuk. Whole day trip be from Php1,865 to Php5,485 (depending on the number of persons). For more travel information contact, (+632917) 321-7966.
8. Naga, Bicol for Php18,888 for three days.
An excursion of sorts is the best way to describe a trip to Naga, Bicol. Explore the heritage sites, go on a pilgrimage, or even dive into the ocean as all these can be done when in Bicol. Not enough? Then try three days at Misibis Bay for only Php18,888 net per person. Package includes breakfast and city tour.
An excursion of sorts is the best way to describe a trip to Naga, Bicol. Explore the heritage sites, go on a pilgrimage, or even dive into the ocean as all these can be done when in Bicol. Not enough? Then try three days at Misibis Bay for only Php18,888 net per person. Package includes breakfast and city tour.
9. Cebu for Php3,500 per night.
Find out more about Cebu, beyond its famous lechon and mangoes as you stay in a first-class hotel. Travel Mart offers the best prices at Waterfront Hotel Cebu, which offers a room for as low as Php3,500 (originally Php 4,000) and a double occupancy room for Php3,800 (originally Php5,000). Marco Polo Plaza Cebu also offers a room for as low as Php3,000, while Movenpick, the newest five-star hotel in Cebu, gives its guests a three-day stay in a deluxe room for only Php27,000.
Find out more about Cebu, beyond its famous lechon and mangoes as you stay in a first-class hotel. Travel Mart offers the best prices at Waterfront Hotel Cebu, which offers a room for as low as Php3,500 (originally Php 4,000) and a double occupancy room for Php3,800 (originally Php5,000). Marco Polo Plaza Cebu also offers a room for as low as Php3,000, while Movenpick, the newest five-star hotel in Cebu, gives its guests a three-day stay in a deluxe room for only Php27,000.
10. Boracay for Php2,380 per night.
A lush stretch of white sands, and as the sun comes down the island dares to party—complete, of course, with bars, clubs, and fire dancers. Boracay has taken over the title summer capital long ago, and its time to rediscover why. Travel mart offers discount rates for as low as Php 2,380 per night (courtesy of Travel Universe Cafe). If you are looking forward to world-class service while in Boracay, Fridays, a triple A resort provides great discount, book a suite or deluxe room for Php8,000 per night.
A lush stretch of white sands, and as the sun comes down the island dares to party—complete, of course, with bars, clubs, and fire dancers. Boracay has taken over the title summer capital long ago, and its time to rediscover why. Travel mart offers discount rates for as low as Php 2,380 per night (courtesy of Travel Universe Cafe). If you are looking forward to world-class service while in Boracay, Fridays, a triple A resort provides great discount, book a suite or deluxe room for Php8,000 per night.
