ALAMINOS CITY, PANGASINAN | Forty-four tourism sellers and 200+ confirmed buyers came together in Alaminos City as the 6th North Luzon Tourism Business-to-Business (B2B) event put quality connections ahead of sheer numbers organized by the Esgala Travel and Tours.
Held last October 2, 2026 at the new Proxy Plus Hotel Convention Center, the B2B brought together tourism businesses and travel trade buyers with one clear goal: create better matches through a diverse mix of sellers and tourism products.
Representatives from the Department of Tourism Region 1, Philippine Retirement Authority, Alaminos City, Bolinao and Pangasinan shared messages during the gathering. A representative of DOT Region 1 Regional Director Bingo Manahan underscored the importance of tourism industry partnerships. A representative of the Philippine Retirement Authority General Manager also shared the agency’s perspective on tourism opportunities. The Czech Republic Tourism Director in the Philippines also shared a delightful presentation about the diverse tourism experiences in his country.
Alaminos City Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste welcomed participants, while Bolinao Tourism Officer Mary de Guzman Suarez and Pangasinan Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Luisa Elduayan also addressed the gathering.
This year’s B2B approach was simple. The event was not about having the biggest number of sellers in the room. It was about having the right mix. By bringing in sellers offering different tourism products and services, buyers were given a wider selection of options while sellers gained access to potential partners suited to their markets.
But the business conversations did not end when the B2B sessions wrapped up. A dinner gathering ensued with awarding of the best dressed of event and grand raffle like Mr. Eric Culaton of Scents of Siam and Ms. Pauline Bodino of Filinvest Hospitality Corporation. Ms. Criss Porciuncula of Airport Tourama International Travel and Tours won the Grand Raffle Prize of a Round trip ticket to the USA by Starlux Airlines.
From business tables to island tours
The following day, buyers joined a familiarization trip that brought them closer to the destinations and tourism products being presented during the trade event.
The first stop was the Hundred Islands National Park, where participants explored popular attractions including Pilgrimage Island and Quezon Island. Entrance fees were hosted by the Alaminos City local government, allowing participants to experience the destination firsthand and assess its potential for future travel programs.
The group then headed to Bolinao for a cruise along the Balingasay River, hosted by the Bolinao local government.
Lunch was provided by Esgala Travel and Tours, with some dishes prepared by Punta Riviera Resort Bolinao. The itinerary continued with a quick visit to St. James the Great Parish Church, adding a heritage stop to the day’s tourism showcase.
Transportation throughout the familiarization trip was hosted by the Pangasinan provincial government.
The two-day program offered participants something a meeting table alone could not provide: firsthand experience. They could see the destinations, experience the activities and sample the tourism products they could potentially offer to their clients.
The B2B dinner was co-hosted by DOT Region 1 and LIPAD, together with ESGALA Travel and Tours, adding another opportunity for industry participants to connect beyond the formal meetings. The 6th North Luzon Tourism B2B demonstrated that tourism trade events do not have to chase numbers to create meaningful business opportunities, but the bigger story was the quality of the connections, the variety of tourism products and the partnerships that could turn these meetings into actual bookings and future travel programs.