Golden Star fastcraft passenger load up 60%

CEBU, Philippines - As people prefer speed, convenience and quality service nowadays, fastcrafts have been a hit to the public, generating added income returns and greater number of passenger load for shipping companies.

After deploying two vessels plying the Cebu–Camotes route on March 3, 2012, Golden Star Manning and Ship Management Corporation Operations Manager Antonio Sulay II reported 60% increase of the passengers for the past two months.

With Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as lean days, he added that weekends are considered to be peak days for the company as it generates 80 – 90% booked trips.

He further said that Golden Star have received positive feedbacks from its passengers such as a convenient and faster ride, hassle-free trip and cheaper fare.

With the market-wide acceptance, Sulay stated that they have tied up with resorts in Poro namely Camotes Flying Fish Resort, Mangodlong Rock Resort and Santiago Bay Garden and Resort and travel agencies such as Discover Camotes and Samnang Tours and Travel Inc. to further expand their services while catering to the needs of local and foreign tourists.

He added that such partnership has been mutually beneficial for both parties as Poro, Camotes becomes widely known to be a tourist destination.

Now that the summer heat is on, he also said that the company is already geared up for the month of May as they had received advance bookings from doctors for their medical missions and employees for their team building activities.

“Most of the time, we’re fully-booked. We can assure our passengers sa kalimpyo sa vessel, on-time sa pag-travel and maayo nga service. Bisag gamay ang mga pasahero, mobiyahe gihapon ta,” (We can assure our passengers of clean vessel, on-time travel, and good service. Even with few passengers, we still push through with our travel schedules,” Sulay told The FREEMAN.

Meanwhile, Golden Star Administrative Secretary Imee Irene Matuguinas admitted that they have a greater number of passengers on the Cebu- Camotes route with 120-160 customers for two fastcrafts compared to the Cebu – Talibon, Bohol route that could only have 7-10 passengers a day.

With two of their vessels routed on the Cebu-Camotes trip, she said that they could exceed their daily quota of 30 passengers by having 40-60 passengers almost everyday.

Although inconsistency could be noted in the Cebu-Talibon route, she added that Cebu-Camotes trip mirrors an upbeat impact for both the company and the passengers.

Equipped with various amenities such as airconditioned vessel, flat screen television and canteen, Golden Star deploys two vessels for Cebu-Camotes route namely M/V Anrans and M/V Anstephen , catering to 60 – 105 seats.  (FREEMAN)