JTB Global DMC Network has now set its sights on the Philippine outbound travel market, in particular business travel and events, and is hoping to raise the profile of its members as well as grow bookings through an upcoming roadshow on July 10 in Manila.
In an email interview with TTGmice, Abrar Uppal, senior manager global inbound business with JTB Corp’s Global Business Unit Headquarters, pointed out that a recent MasterCard survey on the future of outbound travel in Asia-Pacific found that travel from the Philippines between 2016 and 2021 would surpass those from other developed countries in the region by 1.5 times.
Uppal added that his company is encouraged to groom the Philippine outbound market because “it is currently ranked eighth in the top 10 list of growing Asia-Pacific markets by international trips from 2016 to 2021, with outbound travels currently at about 3.4 million”.
“We consider that after China and Indonesia, the Philippines is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic in the Asia region,” he said.
He also noted that Philippine outbound to Japan alone is “now at its peak”, aided by Japan’s relaxation of tourist visa. Quoting national arrival figures from the Philippines, Uppal said there were 108,000 tourists in 2013, 180,000 in 2014, 270,000 in 2016 and approximately 350,000 in 2016.
While JTB Corp. has branch offices in Manila and Cebu, the company hopes to encourage travel agencies in the country to also work directly with its extensive collection of DMC partners worldwide. As such, the July roadshow will feature participation by Travel Plaza International (representing the US), Tumlare Destination Management and Europamundo Vacaciones (representing Europe), JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc. (representing Japan), and Tour East (representing Asia-Pacific).
“This will be our very first roadshow in the Philippines and our main target is to work closely with the B2B markets ( and) to focus on increasing MICE business,” he said, adding that 150 individuals representing 75 agencies will be invited for the event.
Uppal shared that the company’s regional headquarters has set a gross sales target of US$4.5 million for the Philippines this year and aims to grow that figure to US$8 million by 2019.
