MANILA, Philippines – December 6, 2025 — The 10th NAITAS Travel Expo (NTEX) has officially opened at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall, marking a major milestone in Philippine tourism as one of the country’s most anticipated holiday travel events. Co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT), this year’s NTEX welcomed thousands of travelers, exhibitors, and industry partners for two days of travel deals, destination showcases, and tourism advocacy programs.

The opening ceremony was graced by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who joined NAITAS President Florence Rivera, international and local tourism partners, and government representatives in celebrating NTEX’s 10th anniversary.

DOT Chief: “Sustainability is the only way forward.”

In her keynote message, Secretary Frasco emphasized the urgent importance of sustainability in shaping the future of travel and tourism.

“Encouraging our tourists to engage responsibly with travel is more important now than ever, especially as we approach this age of severe weather systems. And so, sustainability is and must be the only way forward,” Secretary Frasco said.

She further noted the impact of climate-related events on the industry, stressing resilience through responsible practices:

“The recent deluge of severe climate-related weather systems, which has already affected over 40,000 tourism workers, demonstrates the urgency of embracing sustainability as a way of life and as the foundation of the industry’s long-term resilience.”

Despite these challenges, she highlighted tourism’s essential role in uplifting communities:

“No matter the climate, no matter the challenges that our nation faces, tourism provides jobs, supports livelihood, and most importantly, it provides hope.”

NTEX 2025 Highlights: Travel Deals, Tourism Growth & Sustainable Initiatives

The two-day expo, themed “Eco Pasko: Celebrating Green Tourism,” showcases:

• Sustainable tourism exhibits

• Eco-friendly travel products and community-led experiences

• International and domestic travel deals

• A business-to-business networking program connecting local agencies with global partners

• Destination showcases supporting culture, community, and environmental care

   

NTEX also launched the NAITAS “Promote the Philippines” campaign, inviting international buyers and tourism stakeholders to collaborate with local operators and spotlight destinations that champion authenticity, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Secretary Frasco led the ceremonial ribbon cutting, joined by:

• Lorens Ziller, Executive Director, Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines

• Susan Santos de Cardenas, President, International Alliance of Regenerative Tourism

• Florence Rivera, President, NAITAS

   

Also present were DOT Undersecretaries Maria Rica Bueno and Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Assistant Secretary Sharlene Batin, Regional Director Lyle Fernando Uy, and PCSSD Deputy Executive Director Glorience Glen Do.

Exclusive Travel Deals & Holiday Promos

Visitors were treated to a wide selection of expo-only offerings, including:

• Discounted domestic and international tour packages

• Airfare promos and hotel deals

• Cruise packages and travel insurance bundles

• Early-bird 2026 travel offers

Special holiday season discounts

Popular destinations such as Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Japan, Korea, Dubai, Vietnam, and Hong Kong drew strong interest from attendees looking to jumpstart their 2026 travel plans.

B2B Networking for Industry Growth

The opening also set the stage for NTEX’s B2B Networking Session, bringing together travel agencies, airlines, tourism boards, hotels, resorts, and global tour operators. The networking event enables tourism partners to strengthen business ties, form new collaborations, and gain updates from major industry players.

Sustainable Tourism Forum 

As part of NTEX’s advocacy-driven programming, the Sustainable Tourism Forum is scheduled for December 6 at 2:00 PM at the Megatrade Hall.

The forum features speakers from DOT, AIM, PARTH, CORA Philippines, and other tourism and environmental sectors, focusing on responsible, inclusive, and future-ready travel practices.

Tickets Still Available

Tickets to the 10th NTEX – The Philippines’ Biggest Holiday Travel Marketplace are available online:

naitas.ph/buy-ticket

Regular ₱120 | Student ₱80

The expo runs until December 7, 2025 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall.

Event Details

The 10th NAITAS Travel Expo is your most reliable gateway to securing travel deals before the year ends.

Follow the official NAITAS channels for a preview of the deals:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/naitastravelexpo
• Instagram: @naitastravelexpo
• Email: naitasoffice@gmail.com or secretariat@naitas.ph