Travel firms thrive amid online booking services

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the introduction of online bookings and technology related services, travel agency business is still seen to thrive and take on the challenges brought about by this one kind of service in the future.

It is for the reason that Cebuano entrepreneur Clark Jueco announced to open up at least 15 travel agencies around the country in the next few months to accommodate the growing demand for outbound travel services for leisure, employment and immigration purposes.

Jueco opened his second outlet of PinoyCare Travel World at the Pavillon commercial center in Banawa, Cebu City over the weekend. He said the travel agency business is still profitable, especially if it can establish its niche service in the market.

PinoyCare Travel World is the travel agency arm of PinoyCare Visa Center, which has been providing immigration services for Cebuanos and Filipinos in general, for years now.

According to Jueco, in the next few months, PinoyCAre Travel World will open outlets in other major cities in the country, including Metro Manila and Davao, among others.

Tourism industry expert, Patria Aurora Roa confirmed Jueco’s outlook, saying that travel agency companies will continue to rake profits, as the existence of online bookings for inbound and outbound travelers only has limited service.

Tour packages, incentive and big group tours cannot be accommodated by airline’s online booking services, thus, this kind of demand will still be served by the travel agencies.

Roa, who is a retired Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director, said that a group of more than five for instance cannot be accommodated by the online booking offered by the airline companies.

This and other services that are uniquely offered by the travel and tour operators make the sector still profitable. However, she warned that travel agency owners should also improve their services and align it with development of the travel market landscape and the new dimensions of travel services.

Roa said in order to survive, travel agencies should make their specialist and niche services, given the declining number of services that it can offer.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) implemented a circular minimizing the services of travel agents in offering passporting services to clients.

Although, this is still being contested by the players in the travel agency industry, Roa said travel operators should be innovative enough to offer more services to the travelers, other than traditional services such packaged tours, transfers, among others.

“Although the role of travel agencies are now being diminished, it is up for them to be creative in their offering of services. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Philippines, travel agencies are here to survive,” Roa said.

On the other hand, Jueco believes that establishing PinoyCare Travel World’s niche in the outbound travel requirement services, could help his business flourish.

PinoyCare Travel World provides expertise in outbound travel requirement, such as ticketing, outbound tour packages, among others.