(Official Press Release)
On August 11 to 13, 2017 at Central Square, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ National Youth Council and the SSI Group, Inc. are holding the Green Wanderer Travel Fair, where traveling meets sustainability and awareness.
A project led by the National Youth Council of WWF-Philippines, Green Wanderer will be offering sustainable travel options—from products made by local artisans to ecotourism destinations with uniquely curated itineraries for the curious, green traveler.
On Sustainable Living
As the Chairperson of WWF-Philippines National Youth Council, Alexa Cancio highlights the importance of sustainable living.
“Young people, having access to various information particularly through social media, are aware of the different social and environmental issues taking place all over the world. We believe that many of these issues can be addressed on the individual level by improving the way we live, which is why our council of eight members felt sustainable living would be the most appropriate message to push not just with young people, but with the Philippine society in general.”
She adds, “Right now, there isn’t any common online platform to find all the sustainable travel options in the Philippines, which is why it is timely to organize a travel fair like Green Wanderer that will house various sustainable options for the people.”
A Travel Fair Like No Other
A travel fair like no other, Green Wanderer will have various activities, along with special promos and raffle prizes for guests including a special package and an irresistible 2-night + 1-night free offer from September 14-17, 2017 from El Nido Resorts.
Overnight stays at all The Circle Hostel branches (Zambales, La Union, and Baler) and at Palawan’s Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort are also up for grabs, as well as the chance to travel to scenic Siargao or Batanes via Skyjet Airlines.
Cebu Pacific will also be distributing GetGo cards, while existing card holders can rack up additional points, and get 5,000-10,000 GetGo points plus other goodies from GetGo Rewards. On top of these, Cebu Pacific will raffle off a roundtrip ticket to a local destination.
On Transport and Ecological Footprint
Another active green traveller and WWF-Philippines National Youth Council member, Nikki Huang believes that along with transport, accommodations have the biggest impact on our ecological footprint when traveling.
“The most interesting feature of the Green Wanderer travel fair is that it is green. Travel fairs are common, but WWF wanted to put a twist on this one. It’s as much a testament to sustainability and conservation efforts in the Philippines as it is a fun tourism experience. Travel takes on a whole other level of significance when done in a way that not only reduces harm, but is beneficial to the environment and local people and animals, and this is something that all of the organizations represented at this fair stand for,” shares Nikki.
Green Wanderer Line
Apart from the Green Wanderer merchandise, Stores Specialists, Inc. brands located at Bonifacio High Street and Central Square will provide exclusive offers to all Mastercard cardholders. Brands included are the following:
Acca Kappa • Aeropostale • Beauty Bar • Banana Republic • Brooks Brothers • Cortefiel • Charming Charlie • Diesel • Dune • Diptyque • DKNY • Eden Park • Furla • Gap • Hackett • Hamley’s • Kate Spade New York • Kenneth Cole • Kurt Geiger • Lacoste • L’Occitane • Lush • Max&Co. • Michael Kors • Muji • NARS • Nine West • Old Navy • Springfield • Stride Rite • Superga • Tommy Hilfiger • Vince Camuto • Women’secret
SSI Group, Inc. President Anton Huang says,
“It’s a privilege to be able to partner with WWF on this truly unique event. Travel has become a big part of all of our lives. Whether you’re a budget traveler or a luxury traveler, there’s always room for more awareness when it comes to how our travels impact our planet. Creating Green Wanderer is our way of practicing this advocacy here in our own backyard, and presenting Filipino travelers with options and ideas.”
Sustainable Talks and Activities
Get a glimpse of renowned photographer Scott “Gutsy” Tuason’s travel experiences focusing on underwater photography and ocean wastes through breathtaking photographs showcasing the beauty of our marine assets and the need to protect them.
Bring out the nature lover in you and get educated on basic mountaineering with Lagalag, and get the chance to win Trekker socks, Lagalag Pride shirts, and Lakambini tank tops that you can use on your future hikes.
Amp up your outdoor style as Reef PH offers Reef Caps and Reef backpacks as part of the raffle during the festivities.
Take home nice pairs of Banana Peel Earth Hour glow-in-the dark slippers for your planned beach trips.
Elevate your culinary taste and join Clang Garcia as she gives a talk about culinary heritage through a live demonstration with food tasting using sustainable ingredients from Philippine Harvest and cookware by Tefal.
Green thumb or not, learn about the benefits of growing your own food and get the chance to win DIY garden kits from Qubo.
The 3-day fair will also showcase local products from Aging’s Food Delight and Willy Bee, Man on the Moon coffee, Tsaa Laya, Cocotos Estate Mount Apo coffee, Costales Nature Farms, Below 35: smashed and rolled ice cream, Kajuyan, 182 Casa Lontoc, CrackleChips, Ritual, Balangay’s Best, Moulinet Chocolat and more, selected by the Department of Agriculture.
A sustainability forum, which will be moderated by CNN-Philippines’s Mitzi Borromeo, will also be held on August 12, 9:00 am to 11:00 am, in one of Central Square’s theatres to shed light on the current status of our planet in relation to sustainable travel and ecotourism. Panelists include Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet and Mayor Josephine Alcantara-Cruz of Donsol, among others.
On Tourism and Jobs
According to WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma, travel and tourism contribute around 9 percent of the world’s total GDP. One out of 11 jobs are related to tourism and travel.
He notes, “The benefits from the travel industry are so vast a scale that we cannot afford this industry to fail. With climate change and wasteful consumption issues over our planet’s ability to produce, green travel is a must to save our environment. This should be a concerted effort from both the traveler and the travel industry to ensure that we leave a living planet for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.”
Exclusive TRAVEL and TOUR Packages
1). The Circle Hostel is offering a special package for a Tribes and Treks tour (visit to an indigenous tribe and reforestation) at P1,500. They are also giving away 3 overnight stays in La Union, Zambales and Baler) with surfing lessons
2). Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort is offering a 30% discount for all accommodations. They are also giving away 1 3-day/2-night stay with full meals at the resort.
3). PHILTOA through Travel Specialist is offering different packages at a special rate for the Green Wanderer fair. They are offering individual and group tours in Bohol, Cebu, Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Dumaguete, and Batanes.
• Batanes Island Tour 3D2N
August to November 2017 bookings for two at PHP 16,308 and for three at PHP 13,178
December 2017 to June 2018 bookings for two at PHP 16,748 and for three at PHP 13,488
• Batanes Island Tour 4D3N
August to November 2017 bookings for two at PHP 18,048 and for three at PHP 14,588
December 2017 to June 2018 bookings for two 18,708 and for three at PHP 14,798
• Palawan Underground River Tour 3D2N (The Legend Hotel Palawan)
Travel Period until October 30, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 5,548 and for three at PHP 5,368
• Palawan Underground River Tour 3D2N (Aziza Paradise Hotel)
July 15 to November 30, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 6,298 and for three at PHP 6,058
• Bohol Tour 3D2N (The Metro Centre – Hotel & Convention Center, Tagbilaran City)
July 15 to November 30, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 3,018 and for three at PHP 2,738
• Bohol Tour 3D2N (Mithi Resort & Spa)
July 15 to November 15, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 4,708 and for three at PHP 4,558
• Bohol Tour 3D2N (Dumaluan Beach Resort)
July 15 to November 30, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 6,738 and for three at PHP 5,998
• Cebu Tour 3D2N (Crown Regency Residences)
July 15 to November 30, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 3,888 and for three at PHP 3,678
• Puerto Princesa & El Nido Tour 5D4N (Hotel Ipil Suites Puerto Princesa & El Nido)
August to November 30, 2017 bookings for two at PHP 11,848 and for three at PHP 10,578
4). PHILTOA through Shroff Travel is offering different packages at a special rate for the Green Wanderer fair. They are offering group tours in Boracay and Baler.
• Boracay 3D2N (Fridays Boracay)
Travel period is from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
Superior Room at PHP 18,200 for 2-3 pax
Deluxe Room at PHP 25,500 for 2-3 pax
• Baler 3D2N (Kahanamoku Resort)
Travel Period is from September 1 – 3, 2017
PHP 9,200 per person
About Green Wanderer Sustainable Travel Fair
