The 4th GTBA-OneKlik Travel Sale Expo took place from October 2 to 4, 2026, at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, drawing 56,000 visitors and featuring approximately 200 booths. The event posted its highest sales since 2023 over the course of three days.
Government and International Support for Tourism Development
The event was officially supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with Metrobank as the Official Bank Partner. Organizers collaborated with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the local government units (LGUs) of Malay/Boracay, Aklan, Baybay Leyte, and Batanes, alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA),
and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). International involvement included embassies from Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and Israel, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), as well as Tourism Malaysia, the Taiwan Tourism Authority, and the Guam Visitors Bureau.
Dignitaries and Officials at Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony featured key government and diplomatic figures including DFA Assistant Secretary Racquel Solano, PRA Chief Operating Officer Bob Zozobrado, Malaysia Ambassador H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Vietnam Ambassador H.E. Lai Thai Binh, Cambodia Ambassador H.E. Sin Saream, Laos Ambassador H.E. Thippasone Sengsourinha, Indonesia Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Victorina Hesti Dewayani, and Israel Deputy Ambassador H.E. Ariel Seidman. TECO Deputy
Representative Minister Michael Lee, TIEZA Assistant COO Dra. Rosanna Olgado, Metrobank Head of UPACM Amabelle Nucom, DTI Halal Head Al-Mahdi Jul Ahmad, Batanes Governor Jun Aguto Jr., Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista, and Baybay Vice Mayor Atty. Ernesto Butawan were also present.
Event Activities and Visitor Engagement
Attendees had access to travel deals discounted up to 75 percent. The expo included Zumba sessions, the F4 Meteor Garden Wannabe Contest, the 3rd TSE Cosplay Competition, a TSE Jingle performance, interpretative dances, and a fashion show. Raffle draws, early-bird prizes, and grand giveaways offered visitors chances to win free round-trip tickets, hotel stays, travel essentials, and cash prizes,
enhancing visitor participation throughout the event.
Sales Record and Business Impact
The 4th GTBA-OneKlik Travel Sale Expo recorded its highest sales since the 2023 edition. This increased revenue benefited hundreds of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector, including tour operators, hoteliers, travel agencies, and other service providers, expanding their customer bases and visibility.
Leadership Statements
Michelle Taylan, Chairperson of the GTBA-OneKlik Travel Sale Expo, expressed gratitude to exhibitors, visitors, partners, and sponsors. She emphasized the event’s role in supporting local businesses and communities. Taylan said, “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 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.”
Commercial Partners
Airline partners included Philippine Airlines, Starlux Airlines, Sunlight Air, United Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. The event also involved hotel partners and various
media outlets, vloggers, and television networks supporting promotion and outreach.
Tourism Industry Collaboration and Economic Recovery
The expo functioned as a platform connecting local tourism SMEs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with national and international travel markets. Its theme, “Where Travel Dreams Come Alive,” aligned with efforts to boost economic recovery and foster collaborative growth. The event demonstrated synergy between digital booking technology and face-to-face engagement in travel planning.
Community and Inclusive Tourism
The expo reinforced messages of unity among the Philippine regions and the broader tourism community. Taylan said, “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.” The participation of multiple government units, foreign embassies, and diverse stakeholders highlighted a commitment to inclusive tourism and local business empowerment.
