CTTA to host 9th Cebu Travel Catalogue Int’l show on Feb. 14-16

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Tours and Travel Alliance (CTTA) with its event partners—Department of Tourism (DOT-7), Cebu City Tourism Commission, Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATOS) and Ayala Center Cebu will host the 9th Cebu Travel Catalogue International (CTCI) 2025 exhibition show on February 14-16 at the newly renovated Ayala Center Cebu, with this year’s theme “Travel Beyond Limits!”

“Expect an extraordinary gathering of nearly 100 key industry players, including prominent airlines, renowned tourism boards, luxury hotels and adventure places, and trusted travel agencies to establish their respective booths at the exhibition area to showcase their travel/tours offerings to capture the spirit of boundless adventure, discovery and a whole new world of travel opportunities,” CTCI chair and CTTA Vice-President Angelita Dy told the media at the press conference at the City Sports Club Cebu, January 31.

Dy bared that participants to this year’s 9^th CTCI include local and international carriers, RCBC, Tourism Boards from Hongkong, Taiwan and Korea Tourism; major hotels, resorts and adventure parks; travel and tour operators and a host of other participants offering travel discounts and promos and unparalleled tour packages.

Multi-generational travel experiences and new travel trends for 2025

CATOS president, Alice Quiblatin said that the 9^th CTCI travel show hopes to promote Cebu as the hub for domestic, regional, and international travel emphasizing Cebu's central location with an international airport like MCIA, making it a crucial hub for travel within the Philippines and the region.

Quiblatin shared that multi-generational travel is now a significant trend, with families traveling to nearby regions, highlighting the importance of regional travel.  Cebuanos often travel to neighboring countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar, which can attract tourists from these regions.

“Collaboration over competition in travel must be the focus with packages designed to attract similar markets from Vietnam, Cambodia, and other regions and Cebu is positioned as a convergence point for both outbound and inbound travel, leveraging the same airlines and tour operators. Travel trends for 2025 include attracting families for multi-generational travel, with a focus on perfect accommodations and experiences,” Quiblatin said.

Quiblatin bared that another trend is the immersive travel packages that are gaining popularity, allowing tourists to experience local culture and activities deeply.   Immersive travel includes farm tours where visitors can cook and eat with local families, which has become very popular among Americans.

‘Do-it-Yourself’ (DIY) activities like painting ukuleles and visiting guitar factories are becoming popular too, offering hands-on experiences, according to Quiblatin, Cebu is also promoting local culture, such as learning the Filipino martial art Eskrima and Arnis which are now part of the Mactan tour.

“Multi-generational travel, immersive experiences, wellness packages, and culinary tours are all contributing to Cebu's new destination identity,” Quiblatin added.

Angelita Dy, CTCI chairperson explained that CTTA focuses more on outbound tourism, while their partner like CATOS handles inbound tourism.   The purpose of the Cebu travel catalog is to boost both outbound and inbound tourism, and it is created annually. 

Dy mentioned that airlines play a crucial role in supporting their efforts by providing special fares and packages and the travel catalog is in its ninth year, aims to promote Cebu and outbound travel opportunities. 

She acknowledges the role of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the local government units (LGU) and all other partners on the support, discussions on specifically carving the travel and tourism master plan for Cebu City and their respective roles in tourism promotion.

“We hope to gain from people going out and then bringing in and the good news that they come about the Philippines and Cebu as a destination.  We now expect that they will also come in, because travel is always reciprocal.   You know, people go out with to bring people in, by looking at Cebu as an accessible convergence point and as a hub, travel journeys and experiences here make good business for all of us,” Quiblatin noted.

RCBC Credit Cards, sole banking partner to make seamless travel

For seamless and financially worry- free travels, CTTA and CTCI have partnered with RCBC Credit Cards over the years which proved to be a comfortable alliance and business partnership enabling potential travelers to go for their travel dreams.

"We have partnered with CTTA because we believe that together, we can provide exceptional value to our cardholders. People travel to enjoy amazing experiences with their loved ones and friends, and CTTA helps make this possible with their impressive roster of event participants. From RCBC's side, we are committed to ensuring our cardholders have strong purchasing power, convenient payment solutions, security, and rewards to guarantee a memorable and worry-free getaway." RCBC Credit Cards FVP and Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Ma. Angela Mirasol said.

Mirasol said that RCBC Credit Cards can offer fast-track processing during the event at Ayala and New RCBC Credit Card holders will receive welcome gifts, such as Powermac gift certificates, American Tourister luggage, or Tumi bags.

RCBC will open the event for merchants interested in getting accredited to accept credit and debit card payments. "We are introducing Tap-to-Phone, an innovative feature that allows merchants to use their Android smartphones as terminals for accepting card payments.   Applications for RCBC Personal and Salary Loans will also be available during the event, Mirasol added.

Block February 14-16 on the calendar for this exciting travel extravaganza at the Ayala Center Cebu. (Photos: MBCNewman/Newsmansblog)