The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is bringing the 18th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) to Cotabato City for theee days at the Alnor Hotel and Convention Center. The second edition of the annual event, lasting until thia Sunday, places the spotlight on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the region enters a more intentional phase of growth, linking destination promotion directly to improved market access for local businesses and communities.
“Beyond traditional business matchmaking, the RTF serves as a platform for buyers, sellers, and travelers to discover more reasons to love the Philippines while opening opportunities for long-term partnerships,” said TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
The gathering opens with business-to-business sessions on August 14, gathering 42 buyers and 52 sellers and exhibitors to present tourism offerings, explore collaborations, and secure lasting bookings. The fair opens to the public for business-to-consumer activities on August 15 and 16, featuring special deals on domestic travel packages, airfare, and accommodations, alongside presentations and interactive features from DOT regional offices, BARMM tourism stakeholders, local government units, and industry partners.
Attending buyers, sellers, and media will also take part in guided familiarization tours across Cotabato City and nearby areas. Stops including the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque — also known as the Grand Mosque of Cotabato — the Bangsamoro Museum, Al Jamelah Weaving Center, and Illana Bay Beach Resort will highlight the region’s Islamic heritage and living traditions.
The Cotabato City run supports the implementation of the BARMM Tourism Development Plan 2025–2033, which lays out long-term strategies to grow the tourism sector and increase its contribution to local economies. Jointly organized with the DOT, the BARMM Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism, and the Cotabato City Government, the 18th RTF seeks to broaden market reach for BARMM tourism and help turn the region’s rich cultural and natural assets into sustainable economic gains.
