Islands Banca Cruises eyes foreign clientele

CEBU, Philippines - Although it has successfully carved its name in the domestic market as the premier Island Hopping transport facility, Islands Banca Cruises (IBC) refuses to sit on its laurels as it tries to expand reach to the world market.

The interest of the foreign tourists started to heighten during the recently concluded Sinulog Festival, where a number of foreign visitors, including “balikbayans” showing interest to experience the “modernized” Island Hopping activity in Cebu.

“We were fully-booked during Sinulog week, but we had to cancel most bookings because of the weather,” said IBC president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay P. Aldeguer in an interview with The Freeman.

The company is currently negotiating close partnership with hotels, resorts, tour operators, and travel agencies to help promote the service to the foreigners.

Island’s Group head for marketing Carlo Borromeo said that the company is hoping to increase its foreign traffic availing of the sophisticated Island Hopping services by the company, including the romantic sunset cruise it offers.

Already, IBC has an ongoing partnership with the Cebu Pacific Air, to include IBC’s packages to the airlines promotional campaign, especially in the online.

Unlike the traditional pumpboat ride, Islands Banca offers beverages, light snacks, and toiletries and Spa (service) on board, with comfortable bean bags. It also offers water-sports equipment for rent.

A banca is an archetypical Philippine boat, fundamentally, a sturdy, deep-hulled outrigger canoe designed primarily for inter-island transport. Despite being very simple, almost rustic, a banca is a stable, reliable and fast vessel.

The modern Islands Banca, on the other hand, is a more streamlined, elegantly styled, and efficient version of the traditional motorized banca, fondly called a "pumpboat." It combines the versatility and speed of a classic banca, with the convenience and reliability of modern transport and travel.

After it has gained popularity in professionalizing the Island hopping leisure activity, the IBC is developing a “franchise package” offer, to accommodate the increasing inquiries from other Islands in the Philippines.

Aldeguer earlier said that the brand itself has gained interest from capitalists all over the country, including those in Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, among others.

Although, it is tempting for the company to operate its own Banca Cruise services in these areas, Aldeguer said franchising strategy is seen to be more effective in its expansion bid.

The company has set up its own franchising department, to pursue this opportunity for fast expansion and build a nationwide brand for Island Banca Cruises.

It has pioneered in professionalizing the services offered by the traditional Island hopping activity, which has been there since history.

Part of its innovation, is to offer deluxe services to island hoppers, providing comfort on board a traditional “banca”.

According to Aldeguer, the franchise package which price range is still being finalized will also include providing the branding and marketing technology effectively adopted by the company in its one-year operation.