The Newly Completed Mactan Expo Center Hosts TRAVEX 2026

Preparations are well underway for TRAVEX 2026, ASEAN’s flagship tourism trade exchange, set to take place in Cebu from 28 to 30 January 2026. Organized as part of the broader ASEAN Tourism Forum, TRAVEX remains the region’s most important B2B platform—bringing together tourism buyers, sellers, and industry decision-makers for focused business engagement and deal-making.

As ASEAN’s primary travel trade exchange, TRAVEX plays a critical role in connecting destinations with international markets. Over three days, it convenes hundreds of tourism enterprises, tour operators, destination marketers, and buyers from ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, creating opportunities for negotiations, partnerships, and long-term business growth. For the Philippines, hosting TRAVEX 2026 places the country at the center of regional tourism commerce—strengthening market access for Philippine sellers and reinforcing confidence in the country as a reliable tourism partner.

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Mactan EXPO Center is the venue for TRAVEX 2026 — ^{TRAVEX 2026 marks the Mactan Expo Center’s first major international event, positioning it as a new venue for ASEAN’s premier B2B tourism exchange. Photo from Mactan Expo Center.}

TRAVEX 2026 will mark a milestone for Cebu as the first major international event to be hosted at the newly completed Mactan Expo Center. Purpose-built for large-scale trade exhibitions and conferences, the venue significantly expands Cebu’s capacity to host regional and global business events. Construction of the Expo Center was carefully accelerated to align with TRAVEX 2026, following the capsule-laying ceremony held on April 27, 2024—highlighting the national importance of strengthening the country’s MICE infrastructure.

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Building on a legacy of hosting excellence

The Philippines’ hosting of TRAVEX 2026 builds on a long-standing track record as a reliable and experienced ASEAN Tourism Forum host, having convened the regional gathering multiple times over the years, most recently in 2016. This history reflects the country’s sustained role in supporting ASEAN tourism dialogue and trade engagement.
Across previous editions, successful delivery has consistently been driven by close government coordination, strong private sector participation, and active involvement from host communities—factors that have enabled the Philippines to meet complex logistical requirements while maintaining a high level of industry engagement.

Sinulog Festival in Cebu — ^{Cebu, the Queen City of the South, will welcome the ASEAN Tourism Forum and TRAVEX as part of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship year. Photo by Hannah Reyes.}

That experience continues to inform how the Philippines approaches major regional tourism events today—grounded in coordination, adaptability, and partnership. In addition, Philippine delegations have consistently participated in TRAVEX across ASEAN, where the country is often recognized for well-curated presentations that showcase the country’s tourism offerings and engage visitors with memorable cultural elements.

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For TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, TRAVEX 2026 reflects both continuity and progress.

“TRAVEX has always been about business relationships—between destinations, buyers, and sellers,” Nograles said. “What we are building in Cebu draws from the Philippines’ long experience in hosting regional exchanges, while responding to how the industry has evolved. This is a collective effort across agencies, local governments, and the private sector, all working toward a forum that is productive, well-organized, and grounded in the Filipino brand of service.”

With Cebu set to host delegates from across the region, TPB sees TRAVEX 2026 as a platform to translate visibility into meaningful business outcomes—ensuring that connections made on the trade floor lead to sustained partnerships, bookings, and growth for Philippine tourism long after the exchange concludes.

^{*This is a press release issued by Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.}