The country’s longest-running travel trade exhibition, the Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), returns this year with more than just travel deals—it’s bringing an expanded lineup of destinations, cultural showcases, and community-driven tourism experiences aimed at inspiring travelers to explore the Philippines in new ways.
Organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), PTM has long been a platform for tourism stakeholders to connect with the traveling public. This year’s edition, which takes place on September 5 to 7, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, will once again feature the sale of affordable domestic and international tour packages, airline promotions, and discounted accommodations, alongside cultural performances and regional exhibits.
“With the theme ‘Boosting the NextGen Tourism,’ we’re bringing together technology, sustainability, and community in one dynamic space. This year, we’re not just selling travel—we’re inspiring a new way to explore,” said Arjun Shroff, PHILTOA president.
This year’s theme is built on four pillars designed to shape the future of travel. PTM 2025 will spotlight sustainability through eco-conscious destinations and responsible tourism, embrace digitization with smart tools and cashless convenience, champion inclusivity for travelers of all ages and abilities, and promote health and wellness with itineraries that encourage rest, rejuvenation, and mindful exploration.
Over 300 exhibitors representing both homegrown treasures and international destinations are expected to join the exhibit. The expo will also feature cultural performances, travel talks, raffles, and live demos, alongside a preview of how technology, sustainability, and creativity will influence the journeys of tomorrow.
Spotlight on community-based tourism
A major focus for 2025 is PTM’s continuing promotion of community-based tourism (CBT), where travelers connect directly with local residents. “It can be a weaving demonstration, a village dance, a guided walk, or even a simple chat with someone running a sari-sari store,” said PHILTOA secretary general Harold Atondo. “These encounters make a trip truly memorable.”
Emerging destinations will once again be in the spotlight. The organizers are pushing for more exposure for Mindanao’s regions, citing cultural and natural attractions that remain underexplored. Zamboanga and Camiguin will be among the featured destinations, alongside other provinces in Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
Negros will also get special attention this year. With Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental now united under one region, the island will be showcased as a single, cohesive destination for the first time at PTM. Organizers hint at its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty—plus its charming local quirks.
“Our role is to support and help realize the country’s vision for tourism,” Atondo said. “We work together as stakeholders to make that happen—and we do it because we genuinely love the Philippines.”
The 2025 edition will also feature the event’s official partners, including EastWest Bank—offering instant card issuance for attendees—and GCash as the official e-wallet partner. Philippine Airlines and other sponsors will also have a strong presence at the show.
While PHILTOA’s officers each have their own professional roles—many are hotel general managers or travel agency heads—they take on the challenge of organizing PTM as a labor of passion.
More than a venue for booking trips, PTM 2025 aims to ignite fresh curiosity about the world and the Philippines’ place in it. It’s a stage where destinations tell their stories, communities share their spirit, and travelers discover that every journey can leave a lasting mark—on the places they visit and on themselves.
