The ASEAN Tourism Forum’s premier business exchange, TRAVEX 2026, has officially opened at the newly developed Mactan Expo Center in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, drawing hundreds of international buyers and regional tourism stakeholders for three days of meetings, networking and partnership building.
The event welcomed 271 buyers representing 50 countries, alongside 124 sellers and 222 exhibitors from across Southeast Asia. Hosted by the Philippines, the gathering highlights the country’s role as a regional convenor for tourism cooperation and promotion.
The opening ceremony was led by Philippine Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and attended by Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, ASEAN Tourism Association President Eddy Krismeidi, Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, as well as officials and delegates from ASEAN member states. The leaders emphasised a shared commitment to presenting Southeast Asia as a single, interconnected travel destination.
Running for three days, TRAVEX serves as the business-to-business component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum, connecting tour operators, destination marketing organisations, airlines and hospitality companies with international buyers. Participating countries include the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar, along with the region’s newest member state, Timor-Leste.
Philippine exhibitors feature a wide range of tourism stakeholders such as hotels and resorts, travel agencies, MICE venues, airlines and government tourism bodies. Their participation aims to expand international market reach, secure new contracts and encourage increased visitor arrivals to the country and the wider ASEAN region.
According to Secretary Frasco, TRAVEX demonstrates the breadth and sophistication of Southeast Asia’s tourism offerings while reinforcing cooperation among member nations. She noted that the event is not only a commercial marketplace but also a platform for building partnerships, exchanging ideas and shaping the future direction of regional tourism.
Through scheduled business appointments, networking sessions and destination presentations, TRAVEX 2026 is expected to generate concrete business opportunities and long-term collaborations, strengthening ASEAN’s position as a competitive and unified global tourism destination.
Also Read
Tamil Nadu to Host Global Tourism Summit 2026 at Mahabalipuram
Watch on Youtube
