GPSTV season 2 launched

THE Philippines generated more than P69 million in revenues during the just concluded two-day Philippine Travel Exchange Hybrid Edition held in Subic, Tourism Promotions Board (PTB) head Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones yesterday said.

Allones shared the good news to the during the launch of the GPSTV “Go Safe, Go Travel: Walk and Talk With Us” Season Two, aimed to guide Filipinos who are planning to go on a tour for a safe and worry-free travel especially at this time of pandemic.

“Our 122 buyers from 32 countries around the world had 1258 B2B engagegements with our 166 sellers in the country. Last night nacompute namin, more than P69 million yung nagenerate nating revenue from that,” she said.

The sellers who joined physically will join post-tours schedule on Sept. 22 and 23, the TPB head said.

PHITEX 2021 offered curated post-tours in bubble arrangements to onsite participants showcasing the best of Region III’s tourism destinations such as the Batalan River, Grande Island, Pamulaklakin, El Kabayo, and Apaliin, among others.

GPSTV “Go Safe, Go Travel: Walk and Talk With Us” is a passion project of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT), TPB, and Isentia. It is a collaborative effort aimed at re-igniting the wanderlust of millions of Filipinos while always keeping in mind their health and safety.

This is also a reminder to Filipinos how beautiful the Philippines is through a pioneering television broadcast all set to stream on GPSTVofficialph on Facebook and YouTube starting September 22 and on a CNN TV special later in November this year.

“Before traveling to a new destination, I like to watch travel shows that will inspire me and my family or my friends about our upcoming trip. It’s a great way for all of us to plan ahead on what destinations to check out, what restaurants to eat in, the shops we want to visit, and activities we want to enjoy while never losing sight of the all-important fact of staying safe and healthy. This is how we envision HSMA GPSTV “Go Safe, Go Travel: Walk and Talk With Us” to be. Think of it as an appetizer of future travels to come,” said HSMA President, Benjamin Martinez.

Hosted by Kevin Lapeña, GPSTV show has put together a list of excellent travel destinations that will have armchair explorers go on gastronomic and cultural adventures, staycations, bakasyon grandes in beach and adventure destinations, and even plan for milestone events when it is finally allowed. From The Peninsula Manila’s iconic lobby and its famous halo-halo to Hotel Lucky Chinatown’s dim sum and pancit specialties, from The Bayleaf Intramuros’ Sky Deck and its incomparable views of the Manila Bay sunset to Diamond Hotel and their glorious ensaymada, from Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s table-groaning buffets in Spirals to Marriott Clark Hotel’s rooms that celebrate Pampanga’s unique heritage, from a unique Ilocos getaway in Vitalis Villas to a relaxing Acuaverde Beach Resort staycation in Batangas, from sunning in Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort while enjoying Cebu’s many delights to Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay and Discovery Shores Boracay’s famous white sand beaches, from The Bellevue Bohol’s pristine waters to immersing one’s self in the rich culture of Mindanao while staying in Dusit D2 Davao, and so much more!

Season Two of HSMA GPSTV promises to be a great travel show that will have its viewers eager to plan their dream getaways once we can all travel again!, HSMA officials said.

“Someday soon, we hope to see all of us exploring our country once more and checking into city hotels, island resorts, mountain lodges, and seaside hideaways and experiencing our famous brand of Filipino warmth and hospitality,” added HSMA Vice President Loleth So.

“And we hope watching GPSTV will have something to do with it; that it will encourage our viewers to pack up their bags and just go!”

Other than unique content and excellent travel tips, HSMA GPSTV “Go Safe, Go Travel: Walk and Talk With Us” will also be sharing the latest travel protocols with its viewers as well as first dibs on special offers from HSMA-member hotels and resorts.