The GTBA-ONEKLIK 4th Travel Sale Expo took place from October 2 to 4, 2026, at the Megatrade Hall within SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The event attracted 56,000 visitors across 200 booths and recorded its highest sales figures since 2023, offering discounts of up to 75% on travel destinations.
Support From Government, LGUs, Embassies, Airlines, and Tourism Bodies
The expo operated under the theme “Where Travel Dreams Come Alive” and was supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Metrobank as the official bank partner. It was organized in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT), local government units (LGUs) of Malay/Boracay, Aklan, Baybay Leyte, and Batanes, the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).
Representatives from embassies including Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and Israel, as well as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), participated. Key tourism organizations also took part, including Tourism Malaysia, the Taiwan Tourism Authority, and the Guam Visitors Bureau. Airline partners featured Philippine Airlines, Starlux Airlines, Sunlight Air, United Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines.
Dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included DFA Assistant Secretary Racquel Solano, PRA Chief Operating Officer Bob Zozobrado, and ambassadors such as Malaysia’s H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin
Castelino, Vietnam’s H.E. Lai Thai Binh, Cambodia’s H.E. Sin Saream, Laos’ H.E. Thippasone Sengsourinha, Indonesia’s Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Victorina Hesti Dewayani, Israel’s Deputy Ambassador H.E. Ariel Seidman, and TECO Deputy Representative Minister Michael Lee. Other officials included TIEZA Assistant COO Dra. Rosanna Olgado, Metrobank Head of UPACM Ms. Amabelle Nucom, DTI Halal Head Mr. Al-Mahdi Jul Ahmad, Batanes Governor Jun Aguto Jr., Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista, and Baybay Vice Mayor Atty. Ernesto Butawan.
Activities, Discounts, and Giveaways at the Expo
The three-day event featured several activities including Zumba sessions, the F4 Meteor Garden Wannabe Contest, the 3rd TSE Cosplay Competition, a TSE Jingle performance, interpretative dance, and
a fashion show. Raffle draws, early-bird prizes, and grand giveaways were held throughout the expo.
Attendees had access to travel deals with discounts reaching up to 75%. Winners of the raffles received free round-trip airline tickets, hotel accommodations, premium travel essentials, and cash prizes, enhancing visitor engagement and excitement.
Impact on Local Businesses and the Philippine Tourism Sector
The GTBA-ONEKLIK 4th Travel Sale Expo served as a critical platform for empowering local businesses. The combination of increased visitor traffic and record-breaking sales supported revenue growth, expanded market visibility, and created new customer bases for hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector, such as hoteliers, travel
agencies, tour operators, and tourism service providers.
The event aimed to stimulate the Philippine tourism industry’s economic recovery and foster collaboration among stakeholders across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Official Statements Highlighting Event Success
Michelle Taylan, Chairperson of the Travel Sale Expo, stated, “Every visitor who walked through our doors didn’t just book a trip — they invested in a local business, a community, and a shared future. Our success is their success, and together, we are making travel dreams come alive for everyone.” She also extended gratitude to exhibitors, visitors, partners, sponsors, and supporters, emphasizing their essential role in the event’s success.
Taylan added, “Every
smile shared, every journey booked, every hand held in trust — these are the true treasures of these three days. You proved that tourism is not just about destinations — it is about people. It is about lifting one another up. It is about showing the world that together, we shine brighter.” She concluded with a message of unity across the Philippine regions, “We leave this expo not just with success — but with a renewed belief in what we can achieve when we stand as one. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao — one heart, one home, one beautiful Philippines.”
Outlook for the Next GTBA-ONEKLIK Travel Sale Expo in 2027
Following the
2026 expo’s achievements, organizers and stakeholders expressed anticipation for the 5th edition of the GTBA-ONEKLIK Travel Sale Expo in 2027. The upcoming event is expected to build on this year’s momentum with expanded partnerships and broader opportunities for the Philippine tourism sector.
