SAN JUAN, La Union—The Province of Pangasinan, represented by its Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and coastal cities and towns, joined the 3rd North Luzon Travel Expo held at Waves Point last November 21-23, 2024.
Officially launched last 2022 in Clark, Pampanga, the North Luzon Travel Expo is a project spearheaded by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Hon. Christina Garcia Frasco to revitalize and boost domestic tourism particularly in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon. Exhibitors from the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and parts of Visayas and Mindanao also joined the event.
With this year’s NLTEx theme anchored on sustainable tourism, Hon. Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David of the Province of La Union duly emphasized in her speech: “Our natural resources are not merely assets. They are the very foundation of our identity and our future… Sustainable tourism practices are not just a trend… They are a necessity.”
DOT Undersecretary Shalimar Tamano represented Secretary Frasco at the event, extending the Tourism Secretary’s gratitude to the organizers and stakeholders present and likewise echoing her support particularly for biodiversity conservation. “This event, the North Luzon Travel Expo, is a testament to the DOT’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism development across the region… This year’s edition hosted here in San Juan, La Union not only focuses on revitalizing the tourism industry, but underscores our commitment to biodiversity conservation. Initiatives such as tree planting and pawikan conservation activities remind us that tourism is not only about promoting destinations, but also about protecting the natural and cultural treasures that make these places unique.”
The three-day travel expo was participated by local tourism officers and staff from Pangasinan’s coastal cities and towns, particularly: Agno, Alaminos City, Burgos, Infanta, and Sual.
/MCDG-U
Photos: KSS & MRTE
