AITTO goes to Negros
Traveling is not as easy as it seems to be. Imagine planning a life-long dream vacation without those dedicated traveling agents. It will be a tiring process of looking for a good accommodation, researching for possible means of transportation and booking for flights in various airline companies. Thus, the supposedly-perfect moment turns into a horrible devastating experience. Indeed, we need travel agents to help us out. But have you ever wondered how travel agents travel? Interesting, isn't it? Well, let's see.
On one Monday morning of March 3, 2006, the Association of Iloilo Travel and Tours Operators (AITTO) headed by Mr. Luis A. Leocario Jr, their president, along with Mr. Robert Ferrer of the Harbor Town Hotel sailed their way to the neighboring island of Negros Occidental. They were there to participate in the Travel Xchange 2006, a product update seminar held at the Casino Filipino Hotel, and to conduct a familiarization tour in various tourist destinations in the province.
The Travel Xchange 2006 commenced at exactly 9:00 a.m. with an invocation from Mr. Greg Flores of Filipiñana Travels Bacolod. A series of presentation of the different products then followed. Mr Holger Horn, an environmentalist and the General Manager of the Philippine Islands Divers, flashed into the screen the scenic and captivating charm of Bohol, the 10th largest island in the country. He vividly unfolded the underwater wonders of Panglao, Palikasan, and Pamilacan Islands and graciously shared the amazing Tarsier, one of the world's smallest primate, and the mystifying Loboc River Cruise. Likewise, Mr. Demy Silverio, the President of Abacus Philippines, unveiled the evolution and the distribution process of travel. The latest innovation in the world of the best-selling Celebrity Cruises and the most sought-after Trip to Disneyland USA were presented by Mr. Walter Cervantes, General Manager of Baron Travel. Skynet Travel's Maru Bayanito broke the silence with the cheap but guaranteed Pocket Tourist Tours to Hongkong and China. The seminar ended with a message of gratitude from Miss Sunshine Regalitos of the Casino Filipino Bacolod. The event was hosted by Mr. Charles Lim, Travel Xchange Director.
The Travel Xchange 2006 was made possible by the SKAL Philipppines, Coca-Cola, Robinsons Place Bacolod, Department of Tourism, Casino Filipino Hotel, Sun Star Magazine, Cebu Pacific, and Selrahco in cooperation with the travel agents from Iloilo and Bacolod, who flocked to see the event.
The delegates then briefly visited the Bacolod City Tourism Officer Miss Imogene S. Kana-an at her office before they headed to check out the Travel Exhibit booths at the Robinsons Place Bacolod.
At approximately 4:00 p.m., the members of AITTO hit the road that leads to the famous Mambukal Resort in the municipality of Murcia. An overnight stay paved way for the members to savor its breathtaking beauty as they sweat their way into the hidden treasures behind the woods. They too had the time to feel the relaxing cool breeze that engulfs the place and to plunge into the tempting swimming pools of the resort.
The following morning, at around 9:00 a.m., the AITTO members hopped into a bus that took them to another enchanting destination - Buenos Aires in Bago City. The agents, who were all dressed in green, sang the Barry Manilow ballads and grooved with the all-time favorite novelty songs as they track down the road to Barangay Ilijan of Bago City. In that very instant the used-to-be-busy individuals were lazily and patiently sitting while having fun - the kind of moment that they deserve for all those utmostly busy months.
After a dozen or two songs, the starving members finally reached the historical Buenos Aires Mountain Resort where a sumptuous meal delighted their craving tastebuds.
Soon after a few hours of strolling around and enjoying the aesthetically-designed scenery, they left for Barangay Mailum where the natural and endless elegance of the Kipot Falls was preseved.
Upon reaching the Kipot Summer Resort, they hurriedly jumped out the bus and started to take the 220 steps of stairs down the falls. Some posed for their cameras while others indulged with the exhilarating cascades. The members then experienced episodes of dyspnea and tachycardia after a limb-cramping journey as they climb up back to the entrance.
Upon arriving in the City of Bacolod, the members went to see various Negrense products that were displayed at the Showroom and paid the nearest pasalubong center a visit and purchased some of the Bacolod's mouth-watering delicasies. At 6:00 p.m., the AITTO members bid the city goodbye as they sail back to Iloilo with funfilled memories.
The Travel Xchange and Familiarization Tour 2006 participants were: Mr. Luis Leocario of L & B Travel & Tours, Aldritch A. Chua of Corinthian Travel & Tours, Cecil L. Francisco of Gidcel's Travel & Tours, AITTO Secretary Miss Judy Jeanjaquit and Cynthia Casalmir of CRJ Travel and Tours, Joy Gamala of Good News World Travel, Mrs. Grace Calingo of Reina Travel & Tours, Mr. James Chiong of Society Travel & Tours, RGA Travel & Tours, Dr. Ma. Theresa Laminero and Engr. Samson Laminero of Winkline Travel & Tours,Miss May Ladublan of Travel Talk 'n Tours, Miss Coleen Maravilla of Neschelle Travel, Miss Elna Solilapsi and Demar Solinap of Bensams Travel & Tours , Salvador Sarabia III of All Seasons Travel, Mr. Robert Ferrer of Harbor Town Hotel, Miss Betsy Ross Mijares of BRM Travel & Tours, Miss Melissa C. Jamora of CMC World Travel, Jimmy Winkee of JIS Travel & Tours, Rommel Castillo of Skylane Travel & Tours, Lily Ho of ELS Travel & Tours, Miss Yehlen Camarista (free lance Tour Guide), Miss April Joy Santiago (free lance Tour Guide), and Willy Genciana, a CPU-HRM affiliate.