Travel Tour Expo

I just came back from the 14th Travel Tour Expo at the Megatrade Hall 1, 2, and 3 at the 5th Floor of Building B at SM Megamall, Philippines. This runs from February 9 till February 11, 2007, from 10am to 9pm.

Entrance fee is P50 per person, P20 for senior citizens (if am not mistaken).

This is the first time I went on the first day. When I used to work, I would usually go on a Saturday morning. I figured that since it was a regular working day, I would be better off going today. WRONG. The lines were so long and they didn't start selling tickets until about 10:30am and only started letting people in at past 11 am after the ribbon-cutting ceremonies! Things were quite disorganized from how the lines were formed; to actually getting into the venue; to those selling tickets who were asking me for exactly P50 when I was only giving them P100. When I told them that I didn't have any change, it turns out that they had change just the same. Hay naku!

I went around the place -- it was pretty much the same thing from last year except for a few new resorts or places, here and there. There were a lot of Hong Kong Disneyland and Asian travel packages -- not so much of the US and Europe.

If you book during the Travel Tour Expo, you may be able to get discounted travel rates. I wonder though if they can really pay attention to your needs and questions given that it feels much like a market place. Everyone is so excited and stressed out -- I wonder if the booth operators truly understand or pay attention to what you are saying.

I tried to inquire at the Philippine Airlines booth for rates to the US this coming April. They couldn't help me. They said they were just there to give flyers -- and that the rates were farmed out to the local travel agents who could give me better rates. Does that make sense? Here is a prospective customer asking for rates and you have no information to give?

Anyway, I guess that's what I accomplished by going there. Just get the flyers. Read through them and choose. The booking comes after.