PHL  debuts in prestigious Boston Globe Travel Show

As it strives to get a bigger share of the US travel market, the Philippines debuted in the Boston Globe Travel Show in Massachusetts last February 10 to 12.   In a news release, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Boston Globe Travel Show (BGTS) is New England's premier consumer travel show.   "Guests visiting the Philippine booth were given travel brochures, information materials and give-away items, including bags and Philippine-made mangorind (a blend of mango and tamarind) candies," the DFA said.

Members of the Filipino-American community from various parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire visited the Philippine Booth.   The DFA said the BGTS is touted as one of the biggest travel shows in the U.S. "The BGTS 2012 featured destinations and tour operators from around the world, seminars and presentations on the latest travel issues and trends, live cultural entertainment, culinary demonstrations, and food and wine tastings," it adds.    Last year's edition drew 18,421 consumers and 2,143 trade attendees for a three-day total  of 20,564 attendees, generating over US$5 million in on-site bookings for exhibitors. Before attending the BGTS, De Leon and Patron  met with  Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Guzzi on February 9. The two officials and some Filipino-American community leaders in Massachusetts paid a courtesy call to Boston City Mayor Thomas Menino to inform him about the Philippines' participation in the BGTS and  to highlight the Filipino community's valuable contributions to the City of Boston.  - VVP, GMA News