Good news for travellers who are already planning their next vacation: the Philippine Travel Mart 2026 is returning this September with hundreds of exhibitors and travel discounts reaching as much as 50% off.
Whether you are dreaming of a relaxing beach vacation, a mountain adventure, a family trip or simply a quick weekend escape, this three-day travel fair could be a good place to compare packages and find promotions that may not be available through regular online booking platforms.
The 37th Philippine Travel Mart will happen from September 4 to 6, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila in the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The event will occupy Halls A to D and is expected to welcome travellers, tourism businesses and representatives from destinations across the Philippines.
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Philippine Travel Mart 2026 at a Glance
Here are the most important details to remember:
- Event: 37th Philippine Travel Mart
- Dates: September 4 to 6, 2026
- Venue: SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
- Location inside SMX: Halls A to D
- Organizer: Philippine Tour Operators Association, or PHILTOA
- Expected exhibitors: Around 300
- Main attraction: Event-exclusive travel promotions and discounts of up to 50%
- Theme: “Nurturing the NextGen Tourism”
- Campaign: “Discover Your Philippines”
The Philippine Travel Mart is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association, with support from the Department of Tourism. It has developed into the country’s longest-running travel exposition and one of the major annual events for travellers looking for destinations, tour packages and discounted bookings.
Around 300 Exhibitors Under One Roof
One of the biggest advantages of visiting a travel fair is the opportunity to explore many travel companies without having to visit their individual offices or websites.
The 2026 Philippine Travel Mart is expected to host around 300 confirmed exhibitors. These will include airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, resorts, transportation providers, local government units, tourism offices and other businesses connected to the travel and hospitality industry.
That means visitors can walk from one booth to another, ask questions and compare different offers in person.
For example, you might find a discounted hotel stay at one booth, an affordable tour package at another and an airline promotion nearby. Instead of booking the first deal you see online, you can look at several choices and decide which one gives you the best value.
You may also discover destinations that you have never seriously considered visiting before. This is one of the things I like about travel fairs. Sometimes, you arrive with one destination in mind but leave excited about a completely different place.
Travel Deals of Up to 50% Off
Of course, the biggest reason many people attend the Philippine Travel Mart is the possibility of finding discounted trips.
Participating exhibitors are expected to offer promotions of up to 50% off on selected travel products. These may cover tour packages, flights, hotel accommodations, resorts and other travel services.
According to PHILTOA, some of the strongest promotions are reserved specifically for the event and are not available online. Travellers may need to visit the Philippine Travel Mart personally to take advantage of these special rates.
However, remember that “up to 50% off” does not mean every product or booking will automatically be sold at half the regular price.
The actual discount will depend on the exhibitor, destination, hotel, airline, booking period and intended travel dates. There may also be restrictions involving holidays, peak seasons, weekends or minimum stays.
That is why you should never focus only on the percentage shown on the promotional sign. Always ask for the complete details before paying.
A One-Stop Marketplace for Travellers
The Philippine Travel Mart is more than a collection of booths giving away brochures. It functions as a large travel marketplace where visitors can research, compare and book their trips in one place.
Visitors can speak directly with representatives from hotels, travel agencies and tourism offices. This is helpful when you have specific questions that might be difficult to answer through an automated chat or online booking page.
You can ask about:
- Available travel dates
- Package inclusions and exclusions
- Transportation and airport transfers
- Hotel room categories
- Child rates
- Senior citizen arrangements
- Solo-traveller supplements
- Rebooking and cancellation rules
- Required deposits
- Payment methods
- Validity periods
- Holiday and weekend surcharges
You may also ask whether a package is suitable for families, senior travellers, solo travellers or people with mobility concerns.
Being able to talk directly with an actual representative can help you understand what you are purchasing before committing your money.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Philippine Tourism
The official theme for the 2026 event is “Nurturing the NextGen Tourism: Discover Your Philippines.””
The theme focuses on creating a tourism industry that is more prepared for the future. It follows four main pillars: sustainability, digitalisation, inclusivity, and health and wellness.
Sustainability
Sustainable tourism is about travelling responsibly and reducing the negative effects of tourism on destinations.
It includes supporting local communities, respecting nature, protecting cultural heritage and choosing activities that do not exploit people or damage the environment.
For travellers, this may mean booking community-based tours, following environmental rules, avoiding single-use plastics and supporting locally owned accommodations and businesses.
Digitalisation
Technology has changed almost every part of travel.
We now use mobile applications to book flights, reserve hotels, purchase attraction tickets, navigate unfamiliar places and communicate with travel providers.
Digitalisation can make travel planning faster and more convenient. It can also help smaller tourism businesses reach travellers who might not otherwise discover them.
Inclusivity
Travel should be accessible and welcoming to different types of people.
Inclusive tourism considers the needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, families with children and travellers from different backgrounds and income levels.
It also means making sure that tourism opportunities benefit communities—not only large companies.
Health and Wellness
More travellers are now looking for experiences that allow them to rest, recharge and improve their well-being.
Wellness travel can include nature retreats, spa vacations, peaceful island trips, hiking, meditation, farm stays or simply spending time away from the stress of daily life.
The goal is not always to create a packed itinerary. Sometimes, the best trip is one that gives you enough time to slow down and breathe.
Encouraging Filipinos to “Discover Your Philippines”
It encourages Filipinos to explore more destinations within the country—not only well-known places such as Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and Bohol, but also emerging attractions and lesser-visited communities across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
The Department of Tourism is supporting the fair, with participation expected from its administrative regions, including Regions 1 to 13, the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
This nationwide participation gives visitors a chance to learn about different provinces without immediately travelling to them.
Regional tourism representatives may introduce local attractions, festivals, food, traditions, accommodations and tour activities. Travellers can ask local representatives when the best time is to visit, how to get there and which experiences should not be missed.
It can also be a great opportunity to discover places that do not receive as much attention on social media but are equally worth visiting.
More Than Just Travel Bookings
While discounted bookings are expected to be the main attraction, the Philippine Travel Mart will not be limited to sales booths.
Visitors can also expect destination presentations, tourism talks, cultural showcases and live performances throughout the event. These activities add an educational and entertaining side to the travel fair, allowing attendees to learn more about the culture and attractions of different regions.
Even when you are not yet ready to book, you can attend to collect ideas for future trips.
You can bring home brochures, save the contact details of tour operators and create a shortlist of destinations you may visit later.
How Much Is the Entrance Fee?
Regular admission for the Philippine Travel Mart 2026 has been announced at ₱120.
Discounted admission rates will also be available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Tickets are being offered through the official Philippine Travel Mart and PHILTOA channels.
Because event information can still be updated before September, travellers should check the official Philippine Travel Mart pages for the latest ticketing instructions, opening hours and visitor announcements.
Tips Before Attending the Philippine Travel Mart
Travel fairs can be exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. There may be hundreds of booths, colourful promotional signs and sales representatives inviting you to check their packages.
A little preparation can help you avoid impulse bookings.
Decide where you want to go
Prepare a shortlist of destinations before attending. You do not need to limit yourself to one place, but having three to five options will make your search more organised.
Set a realistic travel budget
Decide how much you can comfortably spend on flights, accommodations, tours and other expenses.
A discounted trip is still an expense. Do not book something simply because the percentage on the sign looks impressive.
Know your possible travel dates
Many discounted packages are valid only during selected periods.
Check your work schedule, school calendar and family commitments before booking. You should also consider whether the validity period falls during the rainy season, holidays or peak travel months.
Take photos of the offers
When permitted, take photos of promotional posters and package details. You can use them to compare one exhibitor with another.
Also get the name and contact information of the representative who assisted you.
Ask for the complete price
A package may look affordable until additional charges are included.
Ask whether the displayed price already covers taxes, service fees, transfers, environmental fees, terminal fees, breakfast and other necessary expenses.
Read the terms and conditions
Do not pay until you understand the cancellation, refund, rebooking and transfer policies.
Ask what will happen if your trip is affected by bad weather, airline schedule changes or personal emergencies.
Keep your booking documents
Save your official receipt, booking confirmation, voucher, payment slip and written terms.
It is also wise to take digital photos or screenshots of these documents in case the original copies are lost.
Is the Philippine Travel Mart Worth Visiting?
The event may be worth attending when you are actively planning a vacation and want to compare several travel providers.
It can be especially useful when:
- You are flexible with your destination or dates
- You are looking for domestic tour packages
- You prefer speaking directly with a travel representative
- You are organising a family or group trip
- You want to discover emerging Philippine destinations
- You are willing to compare offers before booking
However, do not assume that every travel-fair promotion will automatically be cheaper than everything online.
Do your own comparison when possible. Check the regular price, read reviews and calculate the complete cost of the trip. The best deal is not always the one with the biggest advertised discount. It is the one that gives you the right inclusions, reliable service and travel dates that actually work for you.
Final Thoughts
The 37th Philippine Travel Mart gives Filipino travellers another opportunity to plan future trips while supporting local destinations and tourism businesses.
With around 300 exhibitors, regional tourism participation and possible discounts reaching 50%, the event could be a useful stop for anyone preparing for a beach vacation, family getaway, cultural journey or wellness break.
The Philippine Travel Mart 2026 will run from September 4 to 6 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.
Just remember to come prepared. Set your budget, know your preferred dates, compare several offers and read every condition before booking.
You may arrive looking for an affordable vacation. But with destinations from across the country gathered in one place, you might also discover a part of the Philippines that you never knew you wanted to visit.
