Steals and Deals for Your Trip: Top 6 Travel Expos in 2023 and 2024

Traveling lets you see the beauty of the world. It offers a way to escape the demands and stresses of life, even for a little while. It’s always a wonderful experience. 

This endeavor, however, comes with a price tag. From booking flights to reserving rooms, every step requires you to open your wallet. But there's a way to save money without sacrificing the quality of your vacation: attending travel expos. 

A travel expo is an event that brings together different travel suppliers, from airlines and hotels to tour operators and even restaurants. These exhibitors usually offer special rates on their products and services, allowing you to save big on your travel expenses. Occasionally, there are some contests where attendees can win prizes like free trips. 

If you want to make your dream vacay happen this year, drop by the top travel expos this 2023 and 2024. Read on to learn more.

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Travel Expos for 2023 and 2024: Top Fairs to Attend

Ready to snag those travels and deals? Here are the top travel expos for 2023 and 2024 to watch out for:

✈️ World Travel Expo Year 7

• Date: December 8 to 10, 2023
• Location: One Ayala Trade Hall, Makati City
• Entrance fee: ₱60 for online registrants / ₱80 for walk-in registrants / free for RCBC cardholders

An exciting travel expo for 2023, World Travel Expo 7 surprises would-be tourists with its partnership with RCBC. This collaboration is expected to encourage people to travel with ease through RCBC credit cards.^[1] 

World Travel Expo has already held travel fairs across key locations in the Philippines. These include the following: Pampanga, Cebu, Davao City, Zamboanga, and Bacolod. 

✈️ World Travel Fair Regional Events  

• Date: October 27 to 29, 2023
• Location: Ayala Malls Abreeza, Davao City
• Entrance fee: Free admission at Ayala Malls Abreeza / free for RCBC cardholders

An event from the World Travel Expo, the World Travel Fair Regional Southern Mindanao will be happening from October 27 to 29 in Davao City. This convention is co-presented by RCBC, so entrance is free for RCBC cardholders. 

The World Travel Fair Regional Southern Mindanao will feature some of the biggest and most popular names in the travel industry. These include Park Inn by Radisson, Acacia Hotel Davao, Cebu Grand Hotel, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, Casino Filipino, and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, just to name a few. 

✈️ Travel Sale Fair 

• Date: October 20 to 22, 2023 
• Location: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 
• Entrance fee: ₱100 / free for UnionBank customers 

Established in 2015, the Travel Sale Fair is a convention in Manila that features, airlines, hotels, resorts, and travel agencies offering money-saving deals. Some of the hospitality and travel brands you’ll find in this SMX travel expo this 2023 are airasia, Misibis Bay, Club Balai Isabel, and Red Coconut Boracay, among others. 

Register until October 17, 2023 to get a free gift. In case you’re a UnionBank customer, you get to enjoy free admission plus additional freebies. 

UnionBank Rewards Credit Card

• 3x non-expiring rewards points when you shop and dine here and abroad
  
• 1 non-expiring rewards point for every ₱30 spend

✈️ Philippines Digital Travel Fair 2023 

• Date: Singapore leg: Until October 21, 2023 / Hong Kong leg: December 2 to 8, 2023 
• Location: Via the event’s official virtual platform

The Philippines Digital Travel Fair 2023^[2] is the fruit of the partnership between the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB) and Unique Event and Exhibition (UEE). This platform is designed to attract tourists from key locations in Asia, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. 

The said fair is happening until the end of the year. It will feature a wide range of tourism business, such as hotels, resorts airlines, tour operators, and travel agencies.  

✈️ DRT Show Philippines  

• Date: September 6 to 8, 2024
• Location: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
• Entrance fee: Ranges from ₱150 to ₱1,200 depending on membership type and inclusions

Love swimming and diving? Then head to the Diving, Resort, and Travel Show or DRT Show. This travel expo was founded to provide support for business partners and encourage more people to become passionate divers who care about marine ecology. 

If you missed this SMX travel expo in 2023, you’ll be glad to know that the DRT Show Philippines will be holding its next event from September 6 to 8, 2024. For one-day tickets, the early bird rate is ₱150 (booked before August 12, 2024).

As a large diving expo, DRT has events happening in the following locations: Malaysia, Taiwan, India, and China (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Hong Kong). It has partnerships with the Department of Tourism, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, and Greenpeace. 

✈️ PTAA TravelTour Expo 2024

• Date: February 2 to 4, 2024
• Location: SMX Convention Center, Pasay City 
• Entrance fee: Likely ₱70 based on last year’s event

With its range of participating travel suppliers and tourism brands, the PTAA TravelTour Expo 2023 was definitely a hit. 

Don’t fret in case you missed this travel expo this 2023 in the Philippines. You’re inching closer to the next one, which will be held in February 2024. The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) claims that the 31st TravelTour Expo 2024 will be the biggest and most trustworthy travel event in the country. 

In the past, the fair featured top tourism brands like Discovery Hospitality, Okada, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Pan Pacific Travel Corporation, among others. 

Read more: Prepare These Requirements for Travel Abroad Before You Fly Out

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How to Survive a Travel Fair

Excited to go to a travel expo in 2023? To manage your expectations, attending a travel fair can be tiring. Depending on your goals, you’ll be walking around a lot and talking to different people. 

To survive this event, here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

👉 Decide on Your Destination 

Before you head to a travel expo, decide on your destination or the kind of holiday you want. Doing so will narrow down your options and quickly lead you to the right supplier.

Seek inspiration from your friends’ past holidays or travel-centric groups on social media. Then discuss the plan with your travel buddies. 

👉 Bring Your Credit Card 

A lot of businesses at travel fairs partner with credit card companies to offer exclusive promos, discounts, and freebies. Bring your credit card to avail of them. Moreover, your credit card makes it easy to get a travel package or product in case you decide to book it right away. 

Just a word of caution: avoid overspending by setting a budget limit. 

👉 Come Early 

Being an early bird comes with a few benefits. For one, there’s less competition and you can roam the area without bumping into other people. Second, you’ll be able to get a parking spot easily. This may mean waking up earlier than usual, but it will be worth it. 

👉 Don’t Go In Hungry 

As much as possible, come to the travel fair on a full stomach. That way, you’ll have the energy to walk around and talk to various exhibitors. 

Nevertheless, some expos have booths where you can buy refreshments. There might even be hotel and catering suppliers who let attendees sample their offerings. 

👉 Make Sure Your Phone is Fully Charged

You’ll be using your phone a lot at a travel fair. You’ll find yourself researching on the destinations, checking the background of a company, and paying for those bookings. You may even take pictures of the brochures to send to your family and friends. 

With that, make sure that your phone is fully charged. Better yet, bring along your trusty power bank. 

👉 Wear the Right Shoes 

Travel expos are usually massive, which means you’ll be walking a lot. Take care of your feet by wearing comfortable shoes.^[3] Avoid high heels or footwear that don’t offer proper support (e.g., flat shoes and slippers). While you’re at it, wear comfortable clothes.

Read more: Book Flights, Hotels, More: Travel Websites in the Philippines

How to Choose the Right Travel Agency 

When you attend a travel expo this 2023, you may be overwhelmed by the number of tour operators and agencies offering attractive packages. But don’t just go for a travel agency that offers the cheapest services. 

Avoid traveler’s remorse by picking the right partner. Here are some tips: 

✔️ Check the Legitimacy of the Agency 

Just because the operator is part of the expo doesn’t always mean it’s legit. You can check the agency’s credibility by looking at its partnerships and affiliations, how long it has been in the industry, and reviews of past clients.

✔️ Gauge the Agency’s Problem-Solving Capabilities 

Traveling comes with many unpredictable issues, ranging from canceled flights to unavailable attractions. Ask your prospective tour operator about how it deals with such problems. Its solutions should be telling of its experience in the industry. 

✔️ Look at the Communication Channels

Your travel agency should have multiple channels, so you can contact them immediately should the need arise.  

✔️ Compare Prices 

Ask different travel agencies about their prices for the same destination and number of days. But don’t just look at the price—you should also check the inclusions and the terms. 

✔️ Check the Cancellation Policy 

Some situations may keep you from traveling on your scheduled date. Ask the travel agency about its cancellation policy. Check how many days before the scheduled departure you can still request a cancellation.

✔️ Ask Around 

You’ll know more about the travel agency by talking to people who have availed of their services. Ask them about their experience with the said agency, from the price covered to the quality of service. 

Read more: Need Help With Your Passport? These Travel Agencies Offer Assistance

Final Thoughts 

Who doesn’t want to travel and experience new things? It may be a big expense, but there are ways to save money—and finding the best deals at travel expos this 2023 is one of them. 

But don’t just go in blind. List down all your priorities and objectives. That way, you’ll be able to narrow down your options and ultimately make the best decision. 

🔎 Compare and Find the Best Travel Credit Card With Moneymax!

If you travel frequently, a convenient and practical payment method for booking your trips is using a credit card. Some cards offer great perks for travel. Looking for one? Check out some of the best options below:

Credit Card	Travel Benefits
UnionBank Rewards Card	3x non-expiring rewards points when you shop and dine here and abroad Worldwide acceptance Rewards at participating restaurants, shopping outlets, and leisure establishments nationwide
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend Points redeemable for air miles
Metrobank World Mastercard®	2x rewards points for international purchases Exclusive access to airport deals
HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate	5% rebate on travel and shopping transactions Free travel accident and travel inconvenience coverage Exclusive deals at shopping, travel, dining, and health and beauty merchants worldwide
Security Bank Platinum Mastercard	Dual currency billing 2 complimentary lounge access annually in more than 1,300 lounges in 500 airports worldwide Unlimited access to A Lounge, Marhaba Lounge,  and PAGSS Lounge Up to US$200 coverage with Mastercard E-Commerce Purchase Protection  Free travel insurance
Security Bank World Mastercard	6 complimentary lounge access annually in more than 1,300 lounges in 500 airports worldwide Free travel medical insurance worth up to US$100,000 with COVID-19 coverage Exclusive automatic cashback offers from participating stores overseas
BPI Platinum Rewards Card	2 BPI Points for every spend on foreign transactions abroad or online worth ₱20 Low forex conversion rate of just 1.85% Up to ₱10 million in travel insurance coverage 0% interest on airline installment all year round Up to 4 free lounge access annually to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
BPI Signature Card	2 BPI Points for every ₱20 spend Complimentary lounge access to PAGGS at NAIA 1 and NAIA 3 Preferential exchange rates on foreign currencies 24/7 worldwide concierge by Visa

Sources: 

• ^[1] RCBC Credit Cards 
• ^[2] To Speed Up Tourism Recovery: Tourism Players Urged to Join Virtual Travel Fair (The Freeman, 2023)
• ^[3] The Best Walking Shoes for Support and Comfort, All Day Long (Runner’s World, 2023)