Tacloban City (February 15) -- Tourism promotion activities like travel marts, travel shows, lifestyle shows, leisure and lifestyle expositions and conferences pave the way for interface and build relationships with customers and regional buyers.

In the case of Region 8, DOT Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that several linkages and tie ups have been forged because of the 2007 Tourism Promotions which were attended.

Today, DOT 8 and the local tour operators are now linked with several travel agencies and tour operators as a result of participation in travel marts, travel expos and travel fairs.

Among the linkages forged are that with Travel Vision in Cebu; Rajah Tours in Manila; Sharp Travel and Tours in Manila; Yellow Bird Tours in Manila; Island Caravan Tours, Inc. in Manila; Sakura Vacation, Travel and Tours in Manila; Southeast Travel Corporation in Manila; and Mango Tours in Manila.

These travel and tour operators will now include Region 8 as destination of their clients. Just the fact the Region 8 is included in the list of destinations to choose from is already a good start.

The fact remains that many tourist rely on the travel agent's recommendation as to where to go in the Philippines. With these linkages, there is a good chance that the Eastern Visayas destinations will be included.

There are many times when travel and tour operators do not want to send their clients to Eastern Visayas because nobody will receive them here. With the existence of local operators already, they can now be assured that their tourists are properly taken cared of when they are in Eastern Visayas.