philstar.com and Lakbay.net: Fusion for the Filipino

What happens when two Philippine Internet leaders with different business goals and fields of expertise but one similar vision come together? They take countless bounds toward the realization of that vision and create solid value for the Filipino Global Community which they serve.

In line with its policy of working with only the best, mega-portal philstar.com has partnered with Lakbay.net (winner of three award categories during the recent Philippine Web Awards), the leading travel site in the country and sister company of the award-winning travel channel, Lakbay TV. Lakbay.net comes onto philstar.com to provide and manage the long-awaited travel feature of the site, giving users access to its many diverse travel packages both within the Philippines and abroad.

The partnership gives philstar.com users plenty to parade over with a Philstar-Lakbay Travel page specially designed for them. The page features the same rich content and offerings which Lakbay.net is known for. But aside from this, it also carries special deals, discounts and packages exclusive to philstar.com users!

VP for Operations Chona Borja expounds, "If you book certain packages via philstar.com, you may be entitled to a discount that is not available even on Lakbay.net. And at times, we may be offering exclusive packages only to philstar.com users."

Still, the benefits of the partnership are not one-sided. Borja points out the large and loyal following of philstar.com and its rich content and features. She adds that the partnership is also attractive because of philstar.com’s links with The Philippine STAR. She underscores the fact that Lakbay.net has made its presence felt on the Internet as well on television through Lakbay TV. Another growing platform is the SMS function in wireless gadgets like cellular phones. It was only logical for them to hook up with another site with strong ties to a major daily.

Lakbay.net managing director Eddie Nuque adds, "We’re very happy with this partnership with philstar.com because the real rationale for this partnership is the achievement of synergy among the major media platforms and, at the same time, the establishment of a superior e-commerce function."

Moreover, it was clear to the movers behind Lakbay.net that philstar.com embodied the same vision. Nuque explains that his company’s goals are very much in sync with those of philstar.com. Both have a very specific target market: Filipinos all over. It is philstar.com’s mission to bring together and serve the Filipino Global Community, and it is Lakbay.net’s, to serve the Filipino traveler from this community.

The joining of these two Internet leaders could not have come at a better time. The tourism industry is currently experiencing enormous difficulties due to both local and world events. Both companies hope this partnership will help encourage Filipinos to go out and see more of the country and the world.

To launch the Lakbay.net and philstar.com partnership in addressing the travel needs of the Filipino Global Community, the Philstar-Lakbay Travel page will be featuring the following special packages and rates:

• Exclusive overnight tour package to Bohol for philstar.com users;

• Exclusive three-day, two-night package to Cebu for philstar.com users;

• Exclusive discount for four-day, three-night Ilocandia Tour for philstar.com users;

• Exclusive discount for four-day, three-night Ifugao Heritage Tour for philstar.com users; and

• Special Hong Kong/Shen Zen/Guang Zhou/Laoag packages.

For more information, log on to www.lakbay.net/philstar, or www.philstar.com and click on the Philstar-Lakbay Travel button on the right-hand bar.